Expected and Realized Outcomes

Agreements should be considered only when both parties will work towards an outcome-oriented collaboration that brings reasonable value to both institutions.

Agreements concluded “in the excitement of a visit” and agreements that lacked “concrete engagement by the faculties” have often failed to establish productive partnerships.

The International Agreement Proposal will ask about expected outcomes of the proposed collaboration over the agreement term, i.e., the next 3-5 years. Early planning exercises conducted in close communication with the partner institution should help forecast realistic results and identify the benefits that will be realized if the proposal is accepted.

Depending on the type of collaboration and type of agreement, expected outcomes may be more or less specific and measurable, but they should always relate to program goals and objectives. A regular review of the collaboration is recommended to assess the progress and success of the collaboration. The following questions could be considered for new engagements:  

  • What would indicate success?
  • How can you measure that?
  • What is the target that you want to achieve?

For renewal requests, the questions should include both realized and re-assessed future outcomes, potential for disciplinary synergy, and restated sustainability considerations:

  • What were the main outcomes of this engagement?
  • What were the significant accomplishments?
  • Are there areas of the collaboration that need more attention moving forward?
  • What opportunities do you envision for the collaboration over the next 3-5 years?
  • What are your expected results from a continuation of this collaboration?

At the renewal stage, it is important to address a divergence, if any, between intended and realized outcomes, unforeseen positive outcomes, and “Lessons Learned” as a means to reflect on how to improve a collaboration after renewing an agreement.

Examples of expected or realized outcomes include but are not limited to:

  • Research collaboration enabled
  • Students exchanged/engaged
  • Mobility projects implemented
  • External funding attracted
  • Longer-term partnership is planned
  • Other faculty, departments, colleges get involved
  • Quantitative indicators (# of faculty and/or students involved; # of trips/events/workshops/presentations; # of co-authored publications, joint proposals submitted, grants awarded, etc.).