why a community of practice? - agrilinks · what is the value of a community of practice? •...

80%

Explicit knowledge

Tacit knowledge

20%

Why a Community of Practice?

What is the value of a Community of Practice?

• Cannot capture everything that we/others know (the “iceberg” dilemma)

• Cannot predict all the knowledge that someone needs –formal workshop can provide the foundation but real learning happens by “doing” and through “conversations” with others

• No single person has the answer to every

question/problem—Need to tap

“wisdom of the crowd”/community

Why a Community of Practice?

WHAT IS A CoP?

Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.

(Wenger circa 2007)

A group of individuals bounded by a common professional interest (practice) who voluntarily come together to share good practices, ideas, experiences, and ultimately help to advance the “practice”.

(Semantix, 2009)

CoP Fundamentals

Research Centers

Facilitator

Support Team

Champions

Community

Members

CoP Fundamentals

“Core” Group

occasional

peripheral

active

Facilitator

lurkers

Champions

Experts

Support Team

Coordinator

core

CoP Fundamentals

Number of participants

Number of contributions

1% active contributors

9% occasional contributors

90% readers (aka ‘lurkers’)

The 1-9-90 rule

CoP Fundamentals

Examples of Services to Community Members

Online Discussions

Question Engagement Community Responses

“Ag-Exchange”

Priority Topic

Discussion Synthesis

E-Consultation Draft

Plan/Program Comment

Period Feedback for

Consideration

Workshops Topic Area In-Person Workshop

Continuing Dialogue

Activities and Engagement

Expert/Peer Assists

Issue/Challenge Call/Webinar Outcomes

shared with community

o Agrilinks & the Knowledge-Driven International

Development (KDID) Portal

Activities and Engagement

o Online discussions, collaboration and file

sharing

o Low-bandwidth, flexible solutions for online

communication; Participation via email

o Robust library of user-submitted content

o Access to global industry-events

Activities and Engagement

o Clear expectations, roles and requirements for the various partners in the network

o Network goals and activities are aligned with member objectives

o Activities reflect member behavior and leverage existing work processes

o Strong leadership catalyzes and sustains activity and adjusts if the network is not meeting expectations

o Regular communication

Critical Elements for Success