Collective Impact: Redefine how your organisation drives change

The Collective Impact Framework is an alternative way to look at how workplaces can drive change. It’s a powerful, research-based approach that started as a community and social change model and can help organisations create alignment and redefine the way teams works together.

What is the Collective Impact Framework?

Developed by John Kania and Mark Kramer and published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review in 2011, Collective Impact was designed to tackle complex social problems through coordinated, cross-sector collaboration.

Rather than isolated efforts, it brings diverse teams and stakeholders together around a shared agenda, common goals, and mutual accountability.

Originally applied in contexts like reducing homelessness or improving public health, this is a framework that can be embraced by organisations looking to create connected, systems-level change from within.

How it Works Inside Organisations

At its heart, Collective Impact recognises that no single team or department can solve complex issues alone. It acknowledges that real change happens when everyone is working toward the same outcomes, from different angles.

In large or distributed organisations, this framework helps:

• Break down silos

• Clarify purpose and contributions

• Align activities across teams

• Build shared ownership of strategic goals

  
  

Whether you're implementing a new strategy, launching a program, or embedding system-wide change, Collective Impact offers a map to move from good intentions to real results.

The Five Conditions of Collective Success

In their article, Kania and Kramer outlined five conditions for collective success.

Each of these can be reimagined for the workplace:

1. Common Agenda

Create a clear, co-designed understanding of the problem and the outcomes you’re aiming for.

Tip: Involve diverse voices across levels and functions to ensure shared ownership and relevance.

2. Shared Measurement Systems

Agree on what success looks like, and track it together.

Tip: Use a consistent set of objectives and KPI’s across teams and keep data visible and transparent.

3. Mutually Reinforcing Activities

Define team contribution according to strengths, and ensure everyone works toward the same goal.

Tip: Map how each team or function supports the broader change effort using a strength-based lens.

4. Continuous Communication

Establish regular touchpoints, updates, and forums to surface learning and recalibrate.

Tip: Use feedback loops to keep momentum and engagement and to provide opportunities for continuous learning and adaptation.

5. Backbone Support

Appoint a small team or function to coordinate, facilitate, and track progress.

Tip: Coordination is a special skillset, so match this with a team with aligned strengths. What matters most is that they stay neutral and focused on enabling collaboration.

Key Mindset Shifts for Collective Impact

From…	To…	Explanation
Technical solutions	Adaptive work	Focus on long-term systems change, not quick fixes. Solutions evolve as learning deepens over time.
Siloed interventions	Organisational alignment	Align efforts across departments or functions, rather than working in isolation.
Organisation-centric thinking	System leadership	Lead beyond your formal role or team; think about the broader system and its interdependencies.
Pre-determined plans	Emergent strategy	Allow the work to evolve as new insights, challenges, and opportunities emerge.
Focus on individual accountability	Shared ownership	Build collective responsibility for results, rather than assigning blame or praise to individuals.
Top-down solutions	Community-driven change	Engage people closest to the issue, including internal stakeholders or external communities as co-creators.
Attribution	Contribution	Success is measured by collective contribution to outcomes, not who gets credit.
Measuring activities	Measuring impact	Track outcomes that matter and show progress towards shared goals.

A Strategic Enabler

For strategic leaders, Collective Impact is a framework that helps you:

• Build aligned, purpose-driven teams

• Deliver on complex initiatives faster and more sustainably

• Shift from project-based thinking to systemic improvement

• Strengthen engagement and trust across the business

Ready to bring your teams into alignment?

If you're trying to tackle a challenge that crosses functional boundaries, we can help you apply the Collective Impact Framework in practical, achievable ways.

At The Capability Alliance, we work with organisations who want to bring their strategy to life by aligning people, purpose, and performance. We’re here to help you create the kind of change people want to be part of. Contact us to get started.

References

Kania, J., & Kramer, M. (2011). Collective impact. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 9(1), 36–41.https://ssir.org/articles/entry/collective_impact

Stanford Social Innovation Review. (2014). Essential mindset shifts for collective impact.https://ssir.org/articles/entry/essential_mindset_shifts_for_collective_impact