Partner-selection checklist
Introduction
This checklist helps charities plan and run a structured, inclusive process to find the right digital partner. Use this page as a guide or download the template to adapt for your own use. Scale this down for a lighter-touch process.
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Phases & tasks
To customise this checklist, open and edit the Google Sheet Checklist.
1. Planning
⏰ 2-4 weeks
By the end of this phase...
You will have a clear idea of what you need a partner to help with and how you plan to find them. The main outputs will be an RFI and a draft brief.
✅ Tasks
- Decide on a lead and support team
- Decide how to keep the team informed
- Understand the project
- Agree a budget or a budget range
- Decide on a selection process
- Map out a reasonable timeline
- Speak with potential partners early
- Write an RFI and brief document
2. RFI
⏰ 2-4 weeks
By the end of this phase...
You will have sent out a RFI document, assessed responses, and invited 3-4 partners to respond to the full brief.
✅ Tasks
- Build a shortlist of 6-10 potential partners
- Contact partners and share the RFI
- Host an “Information Call”
- Offer separate calls with potential partners
- Review and assess responses
- Invite 3-4 partners to respond to the brief
- Inform unsuccessful partners of the outcome
3. Briefing
⏰ 2-4 weeks
By the end of this phase...
You will have sent out a full brief, assessed proposals, and invited a couple of potential partners to chemistry sessions.
✅ Tasks
- Update the brief based on previous learnings
- Send the full brief to selected partners
- Arrange calls with each potential partner
- Review and assess proposals
- Invite two 2-3 partners to chemistry sessions
- Inform unsuccessful partners of outcome
4. Chemistry & Selection
⏰ 2-4 weeks
By the end of this phase...
You will have met with partners, selected your preferred partner, and informed and provided feedback to unsuccessful partners.
✅ Tasks
- Decide what you want from chemistry sessions
- Inform partners what to expect
- Engage in the chemistry sessions
- Assess and evaluate partners
- Decide on chosen partner and inform them of next steps
- Inform unsuccessful partners of outcome