2.2
Why is this important?
Effective organisational KM requires behavioural and cultural change at individual, team and organisational levels, which in turn requires structured opportunities for staff to learn about KM concepts and how they link to organisational priorities, tools and practices. Without such opportunities, it is difficult to promote adoption and adherence to practices or ownership of knowledge functions. Providing structured learning on your organisation’s approach to informal and formal knowledge generation, capture, sharing and maintenance also helps individuals to understand their own roles by gaining an understanding of the broader ecosystem within which they are positioned. It also helps staff become fully aware of the volume of knowledge that an organisation can lose through poor KM behaviours, and in this regard, complements work under Indicator 3.6 (Institutional Memory).
Desired Outcomes (linked to the Assessment Tool)
The organisation has a KM framework/strategy/improvement plan, which is:
- Staff have been made aware of KM concepts, methods and tools through formal training.
- Staff apply KM concepts, methods and tools.
- Knowledge Management approaches are reinforced/supported through ongoing learning opportunities
- Managers and senior leaders steer KM activities.
- Managers and senior leaders demonstrate good knowledge management behaviours themselves.
Examples of actions/practices you can implement within your organisation to build awareness and capacity:
- Develop a short module or presentation that can be shared with staff that includes: an overview of what KM is, roles and responsibilities for KM that are associated with different roles in the organisation, existing tools that support KM already in use, and some of the challenges/growth areas identified for the organisation to address.
- Establish a quarterly KM newsletter that provides updates and introduces staff to new tools or ways of working (NB be sure to get feedback on anything shared).
- Establish a resource bank on effective KM Practices that can be accessed by all staff. Encourage staff to share their own resources
- Encourage posts and 1 minute videos for staff to share workable KM initiatives that have made things easier for colleagues and partners
- Highlight and acknowledge successful KM actions – through public fora
- Invite staff to post Offers and Requests relating to KM – monitor to link supply and demand matches and signpost where possible
- Feature classic KM tools at points in your organisational cycle (such as “A season of After Action Reviews”, or “Peer Assist Month”) and acknowledge where they are used and what benefits have resulted