Work With Government

Develop collaboration with a government institution around a public challenge, capability, policy, program, or innovation opportunity.

Your Pathway

1. Understand → 2. Map → 3. Listen → 4. Find Alignment → 5. Shape → 6. Formalize → 7. Activate

1. Understand

Start with the public problem and institutional context.

Understand:

• mandate

• leadership priorities

• existing programs

• policies

• budget environment

• political and administrative context

• current pressures

• previous initiatives

Do not assume that the government's stated problem and the underlying challenge are identical.

You're done when: You understand the institutional setting well enough to ask better questions.

2. Map

Identify the people and institutions that matter.

Look beyond the formal hierarchy.

Map:

• decision makers

• technical staff

• implementers

• budget holders

• frontline workers

• affected communities

• partner agencies

• political actors

• potential champions

You're done when: You understand who can influence, enable, block, or implement the work.

3. Listen

Explore how different actors understand the challenge.

Ask what has already been tried, what gets in the way, where there is energy for change, and what government actors believe would be useful.

Help me do it
[Prepare with ChatGPT] [Work with Claude] [Stakeholder Map] [Meeting Guide]

You're done when: ASG's understanding reflects government realities rather than external assumptions.

4. Find Alignment

Identify where government needs intersect with ASG capabilities and networks.

Avoid creating a project simply because funding or a political champion is temporarily available.

You're done when: There is a meaningful problem around which both sides want to work.

5. Shape

Develop the collaboration together.

Possible pathways include:

[Start a Project] [Start a Fellowship] [Start Research] [Start a Lab] [Start a Course] [Start a Design Project]

You're done when: The proposed initiative has shared ownership.

6. Formalize

Determine what approvals, agreements, budgets, procurement processes, data arrangements, or other institutional requirements are needed.

You're done when: The initiative has the institutional authority required to proceed.

7. Activate

Move into implementation.

Establish the team, operating rhythm, working arrangements, and first actions.

You're done when: Collaboration has moved from discussion to action.

Next Pathway: [Run a Partnership →]