1. Organization Learning
AKA “The Learning Organization”
The learning organization:
Shared vision
Discard old routines and patterns of thought
Systems thinking
Open communications
Move past self-interest
Organization learning
The process of creating a group or organization-wide basis of knowledge

2. The Changing Nature of Work
Through most of recorded history
Manual work, primarily agricultural
Work hard, not smart
The Industrial Revolution and scientific management
Still manual work, but replacement by machines
Begin to work smart
The year 2000
Service workers
Knowledge workers

3. Increasing Knowledge Worker Productivity
Knowing what the task is
Self-management (autonomy)
Continuous innovation and continuous learning
Quantity and quality
Worker is an asset, not an expense

4. A Model of Organization Learning
Organizational Learning
Single / Double Loop Learning
Organizational Memory
Shared Mental Models
Group Mind
Dominant Logic
Shared Knowledge
Shared Values
Team Norms
Group Habits
Performance Strategies
Group Creativity
Task Performance

5. Single and Double Loop Learning
Why do smart people do dumb things?
Complex environment -- need to simplify
Stick with what we know; reduce risk, maintain control, comfort, certainty
Failure to think of the system
Single-Loop Learning
Errors corrected using past routines and present policies
Double-Loop Learning
Errors are corrected by changing objectives, policies and routines

6. Types of Knowledge Declarative Procedural Task strategies
Basic outlooks

7. What To Do and What Not to Do (I)
DO define knowledge and distinguish it from data
DO emphasize flow of knowledge, not just amount of knowledge
DON’T view knowledge as independent of people
DO work for shared understanding, not just shared facts (build a culture)
DON’T forget tacit knowledge - beliefs, perceptions, experience
DON’T get caught up in technology and forget to use the data

8. What To Do and What Not to Do (II)
DO emphasize ongoing knowledge building
DO focus on the future, not the past
DO be willing to experiment
DON’T forget to let people talk to people
DON’T look for short-term payoffs; allow time for learning to occur