Paul Dowling1 Building a Community of Practice Learning From Our Own Experience Context What we did Lessons learnt Where to from here

Paul Dowling2 Context ACT KM Forum Multi-organisation structure Resources available Purpose

Paul Dowling3 What We Did 1 Research members needs Learning focus –Public sector perspective –Problem solving –Practical emphasis Networking

Paul Dowling4 What We Did 2 Define purpose Community & practice Leverage existing organisational activities Monthly meetings Electronic mediums

Paul Dowling5 What We Did 3 Monthly Meetings Identify suitable venue Facilitate meetings Ensure meetings are publicised Engage membership to provide presenters Link with the electronic medium

Paul Dowling6 What We Did 4 EGroups Identify suitable electronic platform –Tool for sharing information & discussion –Customised interaction –Archive information Publicise and provide initial impetus

Paul Dowling7 Outcomes Monthly Meetings Membership of ACT KM forum has grown Meetings attendance growing Positive anecdotal feedback on meeting format

Paul Dowling8 Outcomes Egroups –200 messages in 4 months –25 % of members participated –Core group (10) use frequently –> 100 different bits of information forwarded –One way flow of information –Some positive feedback on using information provided

Paul Dowling9 Lessons Learnt 1 Focus on knowledge important to both the business and the people Results in competitive advantage Individual fulfillment

Paul Dowling10 Lessons Learnt 2 Find a well-respected community member to act as coordinator Key roles –Champion/Networker /Communicator –Administrator –Leaders =senior practitioners Energy

Paul Dowling11 Lessons Learnt 3 Make sure people have time and encouragement to participate Time can be a serious limiting factor

Paul Dowling12 Lessons Learnt 4 Build on a core value of the organisation Match core cultural values rather than change them Use KM to enable your people to pursue something that they already value

Paul Dowling13 Lessons Learnt 5 Involve leaders Use networks that already exist Typically these networks have thought leaders and influential members

Paul Dowling14 Lessons Learnt 6 Build energy through community contact Live contact is key Create a sense of history –Physical events

Paul Dowling15 Lessons Learnt 7 Maintain personal contact among community members Human connection lies at the core One-to-one relationships

Paul Dowling16 Lessons Learnt 8 Develop an active passionate core group Participation in communities vary –High contributors –Observers –Peripheral members Strategy: build an active core

Paul Dowling17 Lessons Learnt 9 Make it easy to connect, contribute to and access the community Ensure software integrates with peoples daily work Familiar software reduces friction Community space needs to be organised according to principles intuitive to the community

Paul Dowling18 Lessons Learnt 10 Create real dialogue about issues in community forums Relationships happen in true discussion not reports on best practices

Paul Dowling19 Building a Community of Practice Identify Common Interest Make Real Connections Care For The Thinking Of Others Trust Others

Paul Dowling20 Where To From Here? 1.Are people finding solutions? 2.How could we improve our CoP? 3.Seminar 4.Executive changes