Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water ...

Q14 How would you describe a successful initiative in your organization?
Of the 207 survey participants, 175 provided 290 responses. These responses included:
two “n/a,” one “unknown,” one “not sure,” and one “I don’t understand the question—sorry.” In
order of largest to smallest number, the general categories of response are: results, implemented,
cost effective, planned, goals, employee buy-in, supported, accepted, ideas, timely, teams,
benefits, identify problem, understood/communicated, analyze, measurable, meets needs,
leadership and other.
Identify problem
Management and employees identifying a
problem, developing solution (options)
When an issue is identified
Well defined purpose
Proposed by everyone
A new process is introduced
Visional
Research
Leadership
Field of dreams approach- you must pilot
Need initiative manager (driving force)
Championed by executive and senior staff
Cost effective
Money dedicated
Within budget (3)
Budget
New way to generate revenue
Money is budgeted
Properly funded
Money
Funding (3)
Saves money (2)
Under budget
Financially supported
An adequate resources to implement and
maintain the initiatives
One that gets adequately funded
Within budget
Keep cost low
Cost effective (2)
One that improves work processes in a cost
efficient manner.
For an initiative to be successful, it typically
comes with little or no actual costs, such as
team-based decision making.
Cost or operational benefits
Reduces cost or maintains cost while
improving service
To do more at lower cost
Accepted
approved by the Board (2)
accepted by the Agency’s customers, Board
of Directors, staff and the management team
approved by employees
Board agree to amending the policy of the
District
Embraced by entire organization
Acceptance by all included
More than one section of the department is
involved
A collaborative process
Approval by all involved
One that has general acceptance
Accepted
Easy acceptance
Acceptance
Agreement
Gets approved
Consensus driven
Employee buy-in
organization buy-in
employee buy-in (2)
getting employees to get on board and take
the bull by the horns and be proactive in
infrastructure maintenance
employees have ownership
Buy-in throughout the employee population
Buy-in from all levels of the organization
Buy in from all parties
Board buy-in
Input from all levels of management and
labor
Wide involvement
Employee involvement
Endorsement by staff
Reviewed by staff
Reviewed and evolved by the employees
An initiative that has employee involvement
Receives input from operating personnel
Employee buy-in with smooth
implementation
A-32
©2011 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.