Getting started on a Regional Knowledge Strategy
From Regional Knowledge Resource Kit
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Getting started
Why do this?
A Regional Knowledge Strategy can help your regional NRM organisation to:
- Develop a common understanding of how to enhance capability to create, share and use information and knowledge.
- Cope with the exponential explosion in information.
- Respond to requests and issues more quickly and effectively.
- Share learnings and avoid 'reinventing the wheel'.
- Prioritise current and future R&D needs.
See information and knowledge management for regional NRM to further understand the benefits of developing a Regional Knowledge Strategy.
What is involved?
The five stage Regional Knowledge Strategy process is designed to take your region from its current situation right through to a tangible information and knowledge strategy with interventions and projects and an ongoing process to make sure things happen.
The Process Overview diagram at right summarises what is involved in each of the five stages.
The process explores three lines of enquiry to develop a comprehensive understanding of the current situation and a resolve among the participants to take action:
- Information mapping.
- Online information and knowledge needs surveys for internal staff and board and external stakeholders.
- Anecdote circles. These are narrative technique used in the business community, and they enable a richer and deeper understanding than could be achieved with just information mapping or surveys.
How do I facilitate the process?
Regional Knowledge Leaders will be able to use the RKRK resources to facilitate development of a Regional Knowledge Strategy. The process documented here in the RKRK is intended to be generic, and you may need to adapt it slightly to suit your regional situation or requirements.
How do I engage my region?
A successful Regional Knowledge Strategy depends on people really wanting to improve how information and knowledge is used in the region. See information and knowledge management for regional NRM for some guidance on how your region should be managing information and knowledge.
To get people interested you might start by collecting examples of where information and knowledge have been poorly used and this has had a significant impact on how well work gets done. It is also important to acknowledge areas in which your region excels by collecting examples of information and knowledge excellence.
You might then start a series of informal conversations and build the commitment to the development of a Regional Knowledge Strategy by:
- Having discussions with your CEO/General Manager and Managers/Executive, and through these discussions achieving their buy-in and endorsement.
- With your Manager's support, achieving the approval/endorsement and participation of your Board.
- Promoting the benefits of a Regional Knowledge Strategy to all staff of your region, using the success stories from this Resource Kit.
See the discussion tab for this page for some further suggestions on engaging your region in the development of a Regional Knowledge Strategy. Feel free to add your own ideas.
Next steps
Go to the "Developing a Regional Knowledge Strategy" Quick Links Page to access the resources for Stages 1 to 5 of the process for developing a Regional Knowledge Strategy.
