Facilitated Knowledge Harvesting Overview Kate Pugh Nancy Dixon Align Consulting Common Knowledge Associates [email_address] . mit . edu [email_address] .org 617-967-3910 202-277-5839 Align Consulting

What is “Facilitated Knowledge Harvesting” (FKH)? A formal process for bringing out tacit knowledge via a facilitated conversation between diverse participants with a built-in process to circulate or “broker” what was learned. As a result: Insight becomes tangible Group processes improve Knowledge gets reused for innovation and speed

A formal process for bringing out tacit knowledge via a facilitated conversation between diverse participants with a built-in process to circulate or “broker” what was learned.

As a result:

Insight becomes tangible

Group processes improve

Knowledge gets reused for innovation and speed

How do you do an FKH? 1. Select 2. Plan 3. Discover/ Capture 4. Broker 5. Reuse Apply and measure Translate and circulate Facilitate conversation Get partici-pants, topics Scope, Sponsor

Who Participates? Knowledge Originators - SMEs or project veterans whose knowledge needs to be captured Knowledge Brokers - seekers who have a specific interest in using the knowledge or bringing it to their processes, training, etc. Facilitator - guides through the five steps of the FKH including facilitating the harvest event Sponsor - selects harvest subjects, funds harvest, advocates for events and subsequently brokers

Knowledge Originators - SMEs or project veterans whose knowledge needs to be captured

Knowledge Brokers - seekers who have a specific interest in using the knowledge or bringing it to their processes, training, etc.

Facilitator - guides through the five steps of the FKH including facilitating the harvest event

Sponsor - selects harvest subjects, funds harvest, advocates for events and subsequently brokers

FKH is a Based on Principles of Learning Learning Design Principles Systematic reflection : It is reflection on experience that brings us useful lessons. Conversation : We refine our thinking, share our knowledge, and produce insights through conversation with others. Involvement : We are more likely to make use of a new idea or change effort if we had a hand in creating it. Need or “Intention” : Our search for knowledge is triggered by specific needs (a problem, task, puzzle) and we are most likely to remember and use ideas that satisfy those needs. 3 Defining Elements of FKH Adroit Facilitation : Facilitator plans and coordinates the process, builds sharing “climate,” helps surface reusable tacit knowledge, and helps get knowledge to knowledge-seekers. Participation : A dialogue between the knowledge-seekers and knowledge originators invites participants to add context. Transportation : Seekers systematically “broker” the knowledge to ensure that it is brought to the attention of related project teams or innovators.

Learning Design Principles

Systematic reflection : It is reflection on experience that brings us useful lessons.

Conversation : We refine our thinking, share our knowledge, and produce insights through conversation with others.

Involvement : We are more likely to make use of a new idea or change effort if we had a hand in creating it.

Need or “Intention” : Our search for knowledge is triggered by specific needs (a problem, task, puzzle) and we are most likely to remember and use ideas that satisfy those needs.

3 Defining Elements of FKH

Adroit Facilitation : Facilitator plans and coordinates the process, builds sharing “climate,” helps surface reusable tacit knowledge, and helps get knowledge to knowledge-seekers.

Participation : A dialogue between the knowledge-seekers and knowledge originators invites participants to add context.

Transportation : Seekers systematically “broker” the knowledge to ensure that it is brought to the attention of related project teams or innovators.

When Facilitated Knowledge Harvesting is Important Tacit knowledge is involved “ Learning curves” not written down Watershed moments not identified Scope issues revealed too late Complex interactions, politics Facilitation is required Have “Surface” discussions Mired in debate Record inconsistently Roots of success (or failure) are a mystery Shame or blame Remote groups “Reinventing the wheel” Experts in short supply Context needed to translate knowledge into new setting Knowledge needs to get to others

Tacit knowledge is involved

“ Learning curves” not written down

Watershed moments not identified

Scope issues revealed too late

Complex interactions, politics

Facilitation is required

Have “Surface” discussions

Mired in debate

Record inconsistently

Roots of success (or failure) are a mystery

Shame or blame

Remote groups “Reinventing the wheel”

Experts in short supply

Context needed to translate knowledge into new setting

Summary: Facilitated Knowledge Harvesting … Is… Tacit knowledge or logic made explicit Collective discovery Knowledge-brokers later translate knowledge into other processes, designs Expanded network (identify hot spots of knowledge in people and teams) Is not… Collecting existing documents/Papers A single expert “journaling” A process redesign One team handing off to another

Is…

Tacit knowledge or logic made explicit

Collective discovery

Knowledge-brokers later translate knowledge into other processes, designs Expanded network (identify hot spots of knowledge in people and teams)

Is not…

Collecting existing documents/Papers A single expert “journaling”

A process redesign

One team handing off to another

More Reading Published Articles: “ Don’t Just Capture Knowledge – Put It to Work,” Katrina Pugh and Nancy M. Dixon, Harvard Business Review , May 2008 “ Harvesting Project Knowledge,” Nancy M. Dixon and Kate Pugh, NASA ASK Magazine , Spring 2008 NASA Ask Magazine

Published Articles:

“ Don’t Just Capture Knowledge – Put It to Work,” Katrina Pugh and Nancy M. Dixon, Harvard Business Review , May 2008

“ Harvesting Project Knowledge,” Nancy M. Dixon and Kate Pugh, NASA ASK Magazine , Spring 2008