Knowledge champion roles
We are noticing a trend especially in public sector organisations here in South Africa to institutionalise knowledge championship roles as part of knowledge management implementation initiatives. Part-time or full time KM champions are appointed at divisional level to create awareness and interest in KM; assess and communicate knowledge needs; match and connect knowledge requirements with sources; build or augment repositories: and act as links between divisional and institutional KM activities. Several government institutions have already trained KM champions and have completed full blown KM strategies. Leaders in the field include the City of Johannesburg and the Eastern Cape Provincial government. In both cases formal Innovation and KM groups have been established at the institutional level to provide leadership, training and support. Having been involved in providing some of the training we would be interested to learn about other instances of and approaches to formalised public sector KM not only in Africa but elsewhere as well.
In the establishment and implementation of Communities of Practice we have established the CoP Planning Committee. The Committee is responsible in coordinating CoP Events/Discussion Sessions and there are a number of portfolios namely:
1. Knowledge Champions – responsible in facilitating CoP discussions and encouraging learning and knowledge sharing behaviours in a CoP
2. CoP Sponsor – Supports and provides resources for the CoP (is a manager within a business unit where the CoP resides. If it is a cross-functional CoP, one of the executive members of the department is nominated to be a CoP Sponsor)
3. CoP Administrator – captures discussions and makes logistical arrangements
4. CoP Marketing Officer – promotes and cerates awareness of the CoP activities
5 CoP Information Officer – conducts research and finds information for the CoP on a particular topic under discussion
6 CoP Advisor – is an external expert within a particular CoP domain or practice. Provides expert advice to the CoP
Over and above what the CoP Planning Committe does, the Knowledge and Information Management Capability is responsible for continous Capacity Development and Support in KIM and the Management of CoPs as well as monitoring and evaluating the performance and impact of CoP to the organisation. In addition, the maturity of CoPs is also assessed. Our CoP strategy not only promotes learning and sharing of knowledge but also focuses on driving Service Delivery Innovation thus improving Strategic and Operational effectiveness. As a result our CoP Planning Committee members have to possess certain qualities and characteristics to be able to run CoP activities effectively.
We are interested in learning from other organisations on the role of Knowledge Champions and the focus of their CoPs, and how CoPs contribute to the overall organisational strategic objectives.
Ben – it is encouraging to see your discussion on the public sector trend in South Africa for the development KM Champions, KM Strategies and the formalization of knowledge as a strategic initiative at the state level.
I am currently collecting research for a book that discusses such attributes on km champions, strategies etc. Perhaps as some point we can have a discussion on these. You can find my profile on Linked In. I see you are connected to Dave Gurteen (as most km people).
Good luck on your work in SA.
Best Regards,
Fred Vail
Thanks for the comment Fred. Having done in-house KM champions training for several public sector organisations in South Africa lately, we are now developing a two day open workshop on the topic and would appreciate any references to practitioners and relevant research or experience anywhere in the world
Ben