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VI. Summary and Future Actions

part·ner·ship \pärt' ncr-sh0p'\  NOUN: 1. The state of being a partner. 2a. A legal contract entered into by two or more persons in which each agrees to furnish a part of the capital and labor for a business enterprise, and by which each shares a fixed proportion of profits and losses. 2b. The persons bound by such a contract. 3. A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal. - American Heritage Dictionary

Evidenced by presentations made at the symposium, it is apparent that PPPs are working reasonably well, although standards for success may not apply across the board. Many questions remain. Should PPPs be referred to as an undifferentiated group? How many classes of partnerships, or definitions, can be identified? How PPPs be improved on in general, or on PPPs specific to transportation? Should a model program(s) be developed? How can the more widespread use of innovative finance programs be promoted such as "other transactions? Aside from recommendations to persevere and work hard - the one thread common to all PPPs - how may successful tactics employed by one jurisdiction or consortium are transferable to another? In view of the many species and subspecies of partnerships, is it even productive to generalize?

In the final session, Dr. Richard John appealed to participants to summarize what they heard, to answer some of the questions posed in the introductory roundtable table discussion. Putting the original questions (see Box 4) back up on the projection screen, he revisited some of the principal themes underlying the symposium, drawing liberally on new evidence and ideas that came to light during the proceedings.

What do We Mean by a Partnership?

Should there be a better definition of PPPs? The answer is obviously yes, but the details are somewhat less obvious. "Partnerships mean all things to all people," offered Dr. John. "We need a generic classification scheme." Should there be a model program for PPPs, or should we carve more space for PPP innovation? Should we adhere more rigidly to the principles stemming from the original legal concept of business partnerships, as outlined by David Glater?

"Partnerships mean all things to all people."