The research team first met at the beginning of 2004 in order to apply for external research funding from the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative Fund. The team has been working together ever since and is at present planning for future research going through to 2011. What has held the research team together?

This paper traces the rocky road through a delayed start to the successful finish of an externally funded collaborative research project between a TEI and external partner. It focuses on the establishment and maintenance of team relationships, which were developed before funding was secured and have since extended beyond the boundaries of the project. The fundamental key to the success of the team is a shared understanding which has evolved over time.

The technological, administrative and research processes used to maintain relationships and complete the research with a clear focus will be described. The paper concludes with recommendations for working in a collaborative team in order to produce quality research outputs.