1. Cultivating communities of practice
Cultivating communities of practice What elements to develop?
a quick start-up guide What are communities of practice?
a quick start-up guide Domain: the definition of the area
by Etienne Wenger Communities of practice are groups of of shared inquiry and of
by Etienne Wenger
the key issues
people who share a passion for something
that they know how to do and who interact
Community: the relationships among
regularly to learn how to do it better.
Wh members and the sense
ere of belonging
to star
t ? set strategic context Practice: the body of knowledge,
methods, stories, cases,
A strategic context lets communities find tools, documents
educate a legitimate place in the organization
Communities of practice are • Articulate a strategic value proposition
• Identify critical business problems
a familiar experience, but integrate
people need to understand • Articulate need to leverage knowledge
how they fit in their work. The formal organization
must have processes and
• Conduct workshops to support encourage structure to include these
educate management and communities while honoring
potential members about Communities of practice Practitioners usually see their root in personal
the approach can use some light-handed the value of working as a passion and engagement.
• Help people appreciate guidance and technology community but may feel the
how communities of infrastructure. get going organization is not aligned
• Integrate communities in the
way the organization works
practice are inherently self- with their understanding.
defined and self-managed • Provide some process Starting to cultivate communities • Identify and remove obvious
support, coaching, and of practice as early as possible barriers
• Establish a language to • Find sponsors to
logistic assistance creates early examples that
legitimize communities and encourage participation • Align key structural and
allow people to learn by doing.
establish their place in the • Identify needs and define • Value the work of cultural elements
organization adequate infrastructure communities
without undue emphasis on • Have a few pilot communities
fancy technology going as soon as possible • Publicize successes
• Find communities to start with by
identifying areas where there is What are some critical success factors?
Why focus on communities of practice? potential and readiness
short-term value long-term value community organization
• Interview some prospective
• help with challenges • personal development members to understand issues,
members
• access to expertise • reputation start discussing a community, • Domain that energizes • Strategic relevance of
• confidence • professional identity and identify potential leaders a core group domain
• fun with colleagues • network • Gather a core group to prepare • Skillful and reputable • Visible management
• meaningful work • marketability and initiate a launch process coordinator sponsorship, but without
• Help members organize an initial • Involvement of experts micro-management
organization
• problem solving • strategic capabilities series of value-adding activities • Dance of formal and
• Address details of
• time saving • keeping abreast • Encourage them to take practice informal structures
• knowledge sharing • innovation increasing responsibility for • Adequate resources
stewarding their knowledge • Right rhythm and mix of
• synergies across units • retention of talents activities • Consistent attitude
• reuse of resources • new strategies
© 2002 Etienne Wenger