A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals
2. • A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern, a
set of problems, or an interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual
fulfill both individual and group goals
• Communities of practice often focus on sharing best practices and creating new
knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice. Interaction on an ongoing
Interaction on an ongoing basis is an important part of this.
• Many communities of practice rely on face-to-face meetings as well as web-based
collaborative environments to communicate, connect and conduct community activities.
4. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE?
5. TYPES OF COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE
Helping Communities
provide a forum for
community members to
help each other with
everyday work needs.
Best Practice
Communities
develop and disseminate
best practices, guidelines,
and strategies for their
members’ use
Knowledge Stewarding
Communities
organize, manage, and
steward a body of
knowledge from which
community members can
draw
Innovation Communities
create breakthrough
ideas, new knowledge,
and new practices.
8. Organizing a Community of Practice
• CoPs are highly organic, and like most living organisms, they have a natural
life cycle, beginning with an idea for a new community and ending when the
community members feel the group has achieved its objectives or is no longer
providing value.
11. • Core team – The core team forms the heart of the community that will organize, charter, market, nurture,
and operate the community.
• Active – These members work closely with the core team to help shape the definition and direction of the
community’s shared vision, purpose, roles, strategies for interaction, marketing, and communications.
• Occasional – These members participate when specific topics of interest are addressed or when they have
They are often the largest group in the community.
• Peripheral – These members feel connected to the community but engage on a limited basis. These could be
newcomers or those more interested in community activities.
• Transactional – These members are the least connected to the community. They may connect only to access
CoP resources or to provide a specific service to the CoP (for example, website support).