Communities of Practice Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 Objectives

Communities of Practice © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010

Objectives o o Distinguish Co. Ps from other groups Make a case for their potential value Touch on a couple of Do’s and Don’ts Answer whatever questions I can © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 2

Two Different Worlds… o World A n n n n n o World B Formal organization Designed organization Hierarchy (Vertical) Authority of position Reporting relationships Defined processes Formal T&D Work as described Abstractions © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 n n n n n 3 Informal organization Emergent organization Network (Flat) Authority of competence Working relationships Proven practices Situated learning Work as performed Experiences

What they’re N T Organizational unit (OU) Ongoing operational team (OT) Project team (PT) Task force (TF) Social network (SN) Community of Interest (CI) Faux team (FT) © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 4

Purpose Membership Authority Allegiance Cohesion Duration OU Results from Resources Assigned Positional Upward Leadership & Relationships Ongoing – Until Reorganized OT Ongoing Tasks Assigned Positional Upward Task Dependencies Ongoing – Until Reengineered TF Time-bound Tasks/Results Assigned Positional Upward Leadership & Relationships Inception to Completion FT Appearances Assigned Non-Existent Fragmented or Non-Existent Management Pressure Until Disbanded or Fades Away SN Information Sharing Invitation & Approach Information Norms Value of the Information Ongoing – Until It Dies Out CI Stay Abreast Invitation & Approach Knowledge Peers Level of Interest Ongoing – Until It Dies Out CP Develop Expertise Invitation & Approach Expertise Practice Identity Ongoing – Until It Dies Out © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 5

What They ARE o Groups of people (network not hierarchy) that form to n share knowledge about their work (a. k. a. their “practice”), n learn from one another about that work, and n provide a social context for that work (i. e. , to establish and maintain their identity) © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 6

“Practice” o Practice versus process o Three defining characteristics: n Joint Enterprise n Mutual Engagement n Shared Repertoire © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 7

Hierarchy © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 8

Network © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 9

Co. P - Examples o o o o Xerox copier technicians Pharmaceutical reps (“drug detailers”) Software developers Chrysler corporation’s “tech clubs” Production line technicians Test item writers & psychometricians Research chemists Instructional staff at Navy’s IT School © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 10

Companies using Co. Ps © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 11

Why You Should Care o Financial returns far outweigh any investment n Schlumberger’s oilfield engineers o $200 million in cost savings and new revenue o 75% decrease in time to update modifications o 95% decrease in time to solve difficult problems n Xerox field technicians o $15 -20 million in annual cost savings o $100 million cumulative o 50, 000 “tips” in their database © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 12

Why You Should Care o Co. Ps are valuable organizational assets n Decrease learning curves n Handle unstructured problems n Play a key role in developing and maintaining longterm organizational memory n Reduce rework and reinvention n Increase innovation and speed n Create social and intellectual capital n Contribute to increased retention of talent n Make change “stick” © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 13

Some Do’s & Don’ts o DO n Nurture and support existing Co. Ps n

Improve Consulting Skills o Task Force n n n n o Co. P An assignment Time-bound Deliverables Finish up Get back to work Apart from me Non-sustainable © Copyright Fred Nickols 2010 n n n n 15 A practice Open-ended Performance Continuous It is the work My identity Sustainable

Contact Information Fred Nickols Managing Partner Distance Consulting LLC 812 Coshocton Ave - 303 Mount Vernon, OH 43050 740. 504. 0000 www. nickols. us fred@nickols. us 17