Collaborative project work

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Collaborative project work

Introduction

Collaborative project work is where transformative partnerships move from ideas to implementation. How projects are designed, executed, and adapted doesn’t just shape outcomes, it shapes the strength, trust, and longevity of the partnership itself.

What does it mean?

Project work covers the full journey: planning, piloting, rolling out, and continuously improving initiatives. It means setting realistic timelines, involving users meaningfully and integrating with existing systems. Strong project work blends technical excellence with the relational dynamics that sustain trust, creativity, and shared problem-solving.

Why does it matter?

Many digital health projects start as short-term pilots, which are great for rapid experimentation but can limit deeper relationship-building and system integration. Without careful, collaborative design, projects risk becoming one-off, transactional efforts rather than transformative initiatives that create lasting impact. Intentional project work lets success and partnership growth reinforce each other.

Ingredients of strong project work

1

Recognize the limits of short-term pilots

Pilots often run on tight timelines, which can rush implementation and limit trust-building. To avoid dead ends, design projects with a clear path toward long-term collaboration from the outset.

2

Embed the target group in co-design

Involve patients, health workers, and community members from the start and throughout the process. Their lived experiences lead to solutions that are more relevant, usable, and sustainable while boosting adoption and legitimacy.

Integrate with existing systems and workflows

3

Design solutions that fit local health infrastructure, clinical processes, and data systems. Alignment reduces duplication, ensures interoperability, and makes adoption smoother in complex ecosystems.

Illustration

Example of collaborative project work

VODAN-Africa is a collaborative initiative designed to unlock the full potential of health data across African countries. It has established an independent, trustworthy, and secure federated infrastructure that enables data-driven insights for population health, risk assessment, and effective interventions.

Originally developed as an early warning system for viral outbreaks, VODAN has been successfully implemented in 88 health facilities across eight countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

Want to know more?

DCCC network

  • Join or contact the DCCC Project Funnel Working Group for shaping a venture approach and supporting framework for project initiation and project pipeline management. Helps you to drive on-the ground digital health projects in line with the venture approach.

Readings

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