SANBIs IBIS: SIBIS I B I S: Integrated Biodiversity Information System Reuben Roberts: Sept

SANBI KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT : Critical Success Factors (Strategic Plan 2005 – 2009) Knowledge management Information and knowledge collection and dissemination is at the core of the Institutes functioning. DEVELOPING TOOLS THAT ALLOW FOR QUICK AND SIMPLE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCE BASE. ORGANISE, REFINE, SYNTHESISE AND MANAGE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPORT THE GOALS OF THE ORGANISATION These point to the need proactively to:

CURRENT SITUATION Disjointed Duplicated Dissemination difficult But very data rich!

DATA INFORMATIONKNOWLEDGE WISDOM KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PYRAMID

SIBIS PHASE I Combined Clean Centralised Release date: Oct 2005

SIBIS PHASE II+ Broad Bespoke Bilateral Release date: end 2005

SIBIS FEATURES METADATA + AUDITING VISUAL TOOLSCUSTOMISABLE SECURE

WHY BUILD SIBIS? Continuity and integration SANBI-specific requirements Sensitive data Data editing

WHO WILL BE USING SIBIS? SANBI groups Let me record a batch of herbarium specimens External groups Let me review and analyse my specialist data General public What occurs in my area, and how do I grow it?

SIBIS USER: JOAN PUBLIC Specify species attributes What shrubby aloes with orange flowers are found in the Eastern Cape?

SIBIS USER: JOAN PUBLIC Specify sites What shrubby aloes with orange flowers are found in the Eastern Cape?

SIBIS USER: JOAN PUBLIC View result list What shrubby aloes with orange flowers are found in the Eastern Cape?

SIBIS USER: JOAN PUBLIC View species details What shrubby aloes with orange flowers are found in the Eastern Cape?

SIBIS USER: RESEARCHER View image Where have specimens for this species been recorded?

SIBIS USER: RESEARCHER View map Where have specimens for this species been recorded?

SIBIS USER: RESEARCHER Zoom in Select entry Where have specimens for this species been recorded?

ChallengeResponses Organisational structure and culture: University model of individuals and small groups, IP Inclusive approach Workshops to encourage debate Review of similar organisations Diverse user population: catering to the needs of Digitisation, Research and Publication Open interface for other tools Customisable queries and reporting Training and standards Prioritisation of goals within a framework of limited resources Phased approach: cost-benefit Review of workflows Co-ordination with parallel projects Moving target of enlarged SANBI mandate and associated organisational change Focus on SANBI mandate Capacity, strengths and weaknesses Outreach with partner organisations Data migration, integration and parallel running Formal, auditable processes Scripted, one-click data migration Early testing by key users KEY CHALLENGES

CONCLUSION Key SIBIS features: A centralised, accessible information warehouse A solid platform to share and manage biodiversity information Key SIBIS benefits: To help to transform SANBIs huge information resources into knowledge To provide a core service to biodiversity-concerned organisations across the South African spectrum