Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water ...

8 | Organizational Development for Knowledge Management at Water Utilities
In this same time period, the Principal Investigator and Co-principal Investigator facilitated
workshops and combination focus groups each one-two days in length involving 66 representatives
from ten geographically-dispersed drinking water utilities. In conjunction with these workshops,
focus groups and site visits, the Principal Investigator interviewed 25 leaders/managers
representing 12 drinking water utilities. The drinking water utilities participating in this research
project are acknowledged at the front of this report.
During the process of initiating the 1001 telephone conversation with drinking water utility
personnel on knowledge and Knowledge Management, it was pleasantly noted that almost every
call was met with interest and cooperation. It appears that Knowledge Management is gradually
making itself known within the drinking water utility industry. When coupled with the recent
WaterRF KM research projects, KM presentations at utility conferences and workshops, and the
number of utility KM project studies gathered through this research (and others that surfaced near
the end of this project not included in the KM Toolkit), it would appear that a growing number of
drinking water utilities are taking advantage of KM to better prepare for the uncertain future ahead.
As these organizations become more experienced with the application and benefits of KM they
may become knowledge-centric, learning organizations who through knowledge mobilization,
technological sophistication and collaborative leadership prepare themselves for the challenges
ahead.
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