The assumption information is 'only' required to 'flow' turned out to be false! First information has to be made...
Published on: 18/10/2012
by Jaap Pels
We are one year into a four year program now and I co-head the KM team to 'Make information flow'. The last couple of weeks we have been grappling to 'Make information'. The assumption information is 'only' required to 'flow' turned out to be false! First information has to be made and the KM acronym 'PAL' (Power, Access, Language) governs the process to make knowledge explicit in order to create information, be it talk or text, identity or images. On WA-WASH go here.
'We', is a team of staff shaping the regional, cross cutting knowledge management component. In each program country we have one team member part-time networking with other program partners, their local partners and the wider WASH sector. The networking should result in interesting blog posts, an active, low noise mailing lists of various intimacy levels and an up to date calendar of future action. The blogs also serve as stories from the field for donors. See the blog ghana.globalwaters.net or click images of the 'Brain' and the calendars below.
Sector map based on WebBrain software
A colleague and I coach from a distance since the KM team kick-off training workshop last summer. To make information flow within the team turns out to be 'problematic' too. I thought the current Internet connection was OK but it is not. Our 'flow' is interrupted literally or echoed and it is cumbersome to produce more noise than information. On top of that we have to flip-flop English - French; the literal 'L' from 'PAL. Also conceptually there are language issues to address. The physical and / or remote access to team members is a constant challenge. Most of us are 'stressed for time'.
The on-the-ground KM team members suffer the same. Coordination to get information (pull) takes an effort and to make people share (push) on a regular or apt basis is a tour-de-force. Possibilities for visiting program implementing sites is limited and because of security measures Mali is a no-go-zone for program paid staff. Access to information (and data) - the premise to (the next) learning (loop) -, to make informed decisions, is key.
The KM framework below is used in the program. The bottom block information needs to follow the arrow, to flow, to support the next learning loop in conversations and activities, but first it has to be made! Research, sharing and learning is what's happening in conversations and during activities. Conversations can be documented - for example by means of After Action Review - and minuted or reported on. Activities offer opportunities for pictures, audio and video.
Obviously all information goes digital and Internet is the (to be) communication backbone. Some call it 'low hanging fruits' but crucial is to record the WWHWW, why, what, how, where and when about program conversations and activities. Here information turns out to have security aspects and issues; there is a risk in publishing who will be where when publically.
The SDA claims for aid to be more effective and sustainable, harmonization and better information exchange is needed. Also within WA-WASH partners in countries need to come together to have a conversation on their activities and agree on how to 'make information' and how to make that information 'flow'. When sharing does not happen information remains un-shared within foreign organisational silos. With that the basis for learning is gone. SDA = Services Delivery Approach WSTL = Water Services That Last
This blog was originally posted on the learning for change blog
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