This document discusses communities of practice and how to build and support communities in organizations. Some key points include: - Communities of practice are groups of people who share a common interest or profession and work together informally to share knowledge. - Successful communities require nurturing from leaders rather than control, as they are organic groups that form around shared interests. - The purpose of communities is to enable sharing, learning, problem solving and innovation through collaboration. - Technology may not always be necessary - the focus should be on facilitating interactions between people. - Providing opportunities for member interaction like events, discussions, and celebrating outcomes can help build and engage a community.

1. Communities Keith De La Rue http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaysavage/

2. What is a community? http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/

3. Community A group of people living in a particular local area A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common Common ownership (“A community of possessions”) Agreement as to goals (“A community of interests”) The body of people in a learned occupation From Latin: “common, public, shared by many” http://www.onelook.com/?w=community&ls=a http://www.flickr.com/photos/MrTopf/

4. Communities of Practice (CoPs) Community Practice Technology (Don’t put the cart before the horse) http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/

5. Communities in organisations CEO Dept A Dept B Dept C Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr

6. Not a project team CEO Dept A Dept B Dept C Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Mgr Eng Eng Eng Eng Eng Eng

7. Communities in organisations “ Communities are living organisms and require gardeners, not mechanics, to provide them with leadership.” Fred Schoeps, KM manager, IBM “ Knowledge can only ever be volunteered; it cannot be conscripted.” David Snowden, Cognitive Edge http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/

8. Nature of a CoP It is a community Not a “controlled” environment Doesn’t have “deliverables” But should have community goals… Organic It’s about the people Local, regional, global http://www.flickr.com/photos/drbeachvacation/

9. Purpose of a CoP? Common field of interests, specialisation Sharing knowledge for mutual benefit Reuse good ideas Ask questions Development of the individuals Peer learning Development of a discipline Solving unique problems Innovation http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfbps/

10. CoP Dynamics Core Active Peripheral

11. CoP Dynamics 1 9 90 Needs a critical mass

12. Creating a community “ Trust comes on foot, but leaves on horseback.” Johan Thorbecke Attempts to “control” lead to evaporation Community needs nurturing Community moderator Leaders need passion Invite potential participants Regular scheduled activities http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/

13. Building a community Rewards & Recognition? Link to desired outcomes Cognitive work motivation (Dan Pink): Autonomy Mastery Purpose Goals Activity Participation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc http://www.flickr.com/photos/vizzzual-dot-com/

14. Practice – group identity A shared common practice “ I am a …” Not too broad or too narrow Need to recognise affinity Mutual understanding Avoid redundant communities Be able to both learn and contribute http://anecdote.com.au/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/europedistrict/

15. Practice – group utility Relationship to day-to-day work Community must become part of the practice Obvious direct benefits WIIFM? Assistance with work issues Problem solving Professional support http://delarue.net/blog/2008/09/practice-makes-perfect/

16. Technology? May not need any technology! Start with people first Starting with technology may lead to failure Field of Dreams does not necessarily apply Deprive of technology until needs expressed? Make it as easy as possible to use If not all face-to-face, communication first Social Media principles apply – trust, openness http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivyfield/

17. Supporting member interaction – ‘SCENT’ S ite: home page - information C alendar: community events - interaction E vents: F2F, conference calls, webinars N ews: newsletter or blog - comms & publicity T hreads: discussion board - virtual interaction http://sites.google.com/site/stangarfield/home/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/misteraitch/

18. Blog as a community site http://www.melbournekmlf.org/

19. Calendar of events http://www.melbournekmlf.org/?page_id=84

20. Other tools - Wiki http://knowledgebucket.wik.is/ Building a body of knowledge

21. Other tools - Microblogging http://www.yammer.com/

22. Networking, awareness, chat http://www.facebook.com/smcmelb

23. Measuring outcomes Achieving team goals and participation Testimonials on value Anecdotes – stories of usefulness Solutions to business problems Publicise outcomes widely http://sites.google.com/site/stangarfield/home/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mwichary/

24. Fluor Corporation Construction and Project Management 2007 Case Study 44 global knowledge communities Total 25,000 active members 12,000 forum submissions Voluntary membership Community leaders trained ‘ Knowvember’ – Annual celebration and awards http://www.ikmagazine.com/bookshop.asp http://www.fluor.com/

25. Fluor Corporation “ We harness the company’s considerable intellectual property… to solve complex problems other companies cannot. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the most potent competitive weapon any company can have is skilled, dedicated people working hard to ensure its success. At Fluor, we are blessed with a community of outstanding individuals who come together to accomplish things that no one else can.” Alan Boeckmann, chairman and CEO http://www.ikmagazine.com/bookshop.asp

26. The theory and practice of communities http://delarue.net/blog/2009/03/the-theory-and-practice-of-communities/ The communities manifesto (Stan Garfield) https://docs.google.com/View?id=ddj598qm_44fx54rbg5 Being a Successful Knowledge Leader (Arthur Shelley, Ark Group) http://www.ikmagazine.com/bookshop.asp @kdelarue 0418 51 7676 [email_address] http://acknowledgeconsulting.com/