Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water ...

Knowledge Management Plan
Sample Plan
This plan is somewhat over-simplified to emphasize major points. Additionally, it is framed
from the viewpoint of a KMO (Knowledge Management Officer) who will be working with a team
representing departmental and functional areas across the organization, and a larger
Community of Practice for implementation of KM across the larger enterprise.
1. Establish an atmosphere of trust within the organization, within and between sections (and
functional areas). This foundation of trust is essential if members of the organization are to
share information that will lead to retained and helpful knowledge.
KMO establishes leadership-approved incentive program for the quarterly and annual
incentive awards (certificates, coins, and small statues) for the shared knowledge voted
by organizational members to be the most helpful to the organization. Once established,
KMO manages and improve the incentive awards program as needed.
KMO establishes and maintains a leadership-approved ―My Story‖ program (the sharing
of stories by organization members on who they are and what they offer the team), and
development of an ―Encouragement List‖ (three positive things about each member of
the organization that affirm that individual’s worth as a knowledge source and
contribution to the organization). These are used to introduce individuals during
meetings, provide examples where appropriate, and design Knowledge Sharing events
such as lunchtime exchanges.
KMO facilitates the ―Care to Share‖ Blog on the Staff SharePoint site on anything
organizational members care to share with each other about hobbies, interests, trips,
photos, etc.
2. Establish and maintain a Knowledge Management Education Program.
KMO establishes and maintains a program to educate organizational members in the
principles and procedures of Knowledge Management such as ―Leave a Legacy‖ and
related programs.
3. Establish a ―Smart Book‖ policy to pass knowledge from one person to the next person to
occupy the position. [See KM Desk Guide]
KMO designs a Leadership-approved ―Smart Book‖ format containing:
Role/Function/Grade for each position; software used (purpose and details of how to use
it if necessary); websites used (and why); contacts (phone; e-mail) used in the
performance of duties and why, ―My Story‖ section on what the particular person brings
to the position (It’s usually done THIS way, but I’ve found that THIS works better ...‖);
Recommendations (―If I could do anything to improve the duties/performance of this
position I would ....‖ List any equipment, training, additional personnel, contracts, or
other suggestions you have.)
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