Knowledge Management in the Canadian Forest Service Albert Simard Canadian Forest Service Presented to BC Forest Service February 1, 2005 “ Putting the puzzle together one piece at a time”

An Opening Thought…. “ A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Lao-tzu (604-531 BCE)

“ A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

Lao-tzu (604-531 BCE)

OUTLINE Strategic Planning KM Processes Forestry Content

Strategic Planning

KM Processes

Forestry Content

Knowledge Organization External Knowledge Share Internal Knowledge Manage Preserve Lost Knowledge Create Real World Monitor Use Mobilize Society

CFS KM Framework infrastructure & systems to capture, store, share content Content Tools Organization People Learning, motivation, rewards, incentives Processes roles, responsibilities, authorities, resources lessons learned, best practices, work routines forestry data, information & knowledge

Learning, motivation, rewards, incentives

Knowledge Management Goals Managing Knowledge Integrating Knowledge Sharing Knowledge Preserving Knowledge single organization: mandate, authority, resources similar organizations: culture, interests, context different organizations: general, few commonalities supports other KM goals Hierarchy Implementation

Managing Knowledge

Integrating Knowledge

Sharing Knowledge

Preserving Knowledge

Cost of Not Knowing (CONK) Research Managed knowledge Surprise Unmanaged knowledge Awareness Know Don’t know Reality Know Don’t know World Wildlife Fund - Canada’s forests DFAIT – softwood lumber Reporter – mountain pine beetle Boreal forest briefing note Invasive species Access to Information Science & Technology Networks Synthesis of Knowledge & Information Network Fire management systems On-Line Bookstore Common Office Environment Plant hardiness zones

What the Architects Designed…

What Managers See… content Create Information Knowledge Data Capture Preserve Share Integrate Systems Computers Technology Networks

Knowledge Management Plan - Reactions - Understanding I don’t understand any of this This is too complicated. I don’t like this “fuzzy” stuff. Resources There is no money for this. What can you do without a budget? We have no time for this. Management Exactly what will be delivered? When will this be finished? What, precisely, are the benefits?

Understanding

I don’t understand any of this

This is too complicated.

I don’t like this “fuzzy” stuff.

Resources

There is no money for this.

What can you do without a budget?

We have no time for this.

Management

Exactly what will be delivered?

When will this be finished?

What, precisely, are the benefits?

So, Now What? We need a new approach; a KM Program is unlikely Overcoming obstacles: Make it real: develop simple systems that people relate to. Start small: use existing resources to establish project-scale activities. Deliver useful tools that solve real problems. Strategy: Put the puzzle together one piece at a time.

We need a new approach; a KM Program is unlikely

Overcoming obstacles:

Make it real: develop simple systems that people relate to.

Start small: use existing resources to establish project-scale activities.

Deliver useful tools that solve real problems.

Strategy: Put the puzzle together one piece at a time.

OUTLINE Context KM Processes Forestry Content

Context

KM Processes

Forestry Content

Knowledge Management Projects - KM Processes - Integrate regional libraries - Metafore Enhance client interaction - E-800 Service Capture & share knowledge - Briefing Note DB Manage knowledge assets – Asset Inventory

Integrate regional libraries - Metafore

Enhance client interaction - E-800 Service

Capture & share knowledge - Briefing Note DB

Manage knowledge assets – Asset Inventory

Metafore (Integrating Regional Libraries)

Metafore Search & Request

E-800 Service (Enhancing & Leveraging Client Service)

E-800 Service Frequently Asked Questions

E-800 Service – New Questions

Briefing note Database (Capturing & Sharing Knowledge) Password via CFS Intranet User Interface (The Web) CFS staff View only Administrative Interface (The Database) Centres Branches Executive Services Guidelines Password

Briefing Note Database - Input

Briefing Note Database Search & Outputs

Inventory of Knowledge Assets (Asset Management)

Knowledge Assets Inventory Search Results

Total of 531 assets from 211 responses Source: Knowledge Asset survey

OUTLINE Strategic Planning KM Processes Forestry Content

Strategic Planning

KM Processes

Forestry Content

Knowledge Management Projects - Forestry Content - Automated monitoring - Fire Information System Compile & share data - National Forestry Database Disseminate knowledge – CFS Bookstore Preservation & learning - Canada’s Forest Ecosystems

Automated monitoring - Fire Information System

Compile & share data - National Forestry Database

Disseminate knowledge – CFS Bookstore

Preservation & learning - Canada’s Forest Ecosystems

Wildland Fire Information System (Automated Daily Monitoring)

FireM3 Automated Satellite Monitoring

National Forestry Database (Compiling and sharing data)

National Forestry Database - Highlights

National Forestry Database - Data

Bookstore (Finding & Accessing CFS publications)

Bookstore Search & Download

Forest Ecosystems of Canada (Preservation & Learning)

Forest Ecosystems Preserving Photographs

Forest Ecosystems (Learning)

Considerations There is a KM strategy and framework. All projects combine people, the organization, processes, and tools. Process projects are necessary first steps. Content projects provide excellent examples. We know what the puzzle picture looks like.

There is a KM strategy and framework.

All projects combine people, the organization, processes, and tools.

Process projects are necessary first steps.

Content projects provide excellent examples.

We know what the puzzle picture looks like.

A final thought… “ Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent” Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)