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<h2>A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO COMPLEX CHALLENGES</h2>
<h3>The Center’s Innovation Network approach is part of a larger community of practice referred to variously as Collective Impact, Social Labs and other social change methodologies.</h3>
<p>Our Innovation Networks are distinguished by our highly-effective stakeholder selection methodology, our integration of human-centered design practices to produce solutions that work for real people in the real world, and our ability to swiftly move toward systemic solutions.</p>
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<h3>Collective Impact</h3>
<p>Collective Impact is the commitment of a group of actors from different sectors to a common agenda for solving a specific social problem, using a structured form of collaboration. Initiatives must meet five criteria in order to be considered collective impact: </p>
<h3>Common Agenda</h3>
<p>All participating organizations (government agencies, non-profits, community members, etc.) have a shared vision for social change that includes a common understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving the problem through agreed upon actions.</p>
<h3>Shared Measurement System</h3>
<p>Agreement on the ways success will be measured and reported with a short list of key indicators across all participating organizations.</p>
<h3>Mutually Reinforcing Activities</h3>
<p>Engagement of a diverse set of stakeholders, typically across sectors, coordinating a set of differentiated activities through a mutually reinforcing plan of action.</p>
<h3>Continuous Communication</h3>
<p>Frequent communications over a long period of time among key players within and across organizations, to build trust and inform ongoing learning and adaptation of strategy.</p>
<h3>Backbone Organization</h3>
<p>Ongoing support provided by an independent staff dedicated to the initiative. The backbone staff tends to play six roles to move the initiative forward: Guide Vision and Strategy; Support Aligned Activity; Establish Shared Measurement Practices; Build Public Will; Advance Policy; and Mobilize Funding.</p>
