Committee on Knowledge Management

Committee on Knowledge Management / Resources

Resources for Communities of Practice

Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. Communities of practice are co-created and co-owned by members. As knowledge management tools, communities of practice encourage organic and mutual engagement, foster knowledge transfer, support career development and succession management, establish joint enterprise, and inspire innovation.

 

For example, the AASHTO Committee on Knowledge Management and the Committee on Data Management & Analysis run a joint Community of Practice on Data Governance.

 

Below are resources for anyone seeking to establish or maintain a community of practice.

Community of Practice Job Aid

The Committee on Knowledge Management developed this quick introduction for anyone looking to establish a community of practice. This job aid:

 

  • Defines different types of communities of practice
  • Identifies roles and responsibilities
  • Suggests development steps

View Document
Vision for a Knowledge Management Community of Practice

Slides from a Committee on Knowledge Management webinar on establishing communities of practice. The slides include:

 

  • Definitions of different types of communities of practice
  • A maturity continuum for communities of practice
  • A visualization of how communities of practice function

View Slides

Job Aids

A job aid is a document or tool that provides simple, clear instructions on how to perform a task or role. The goal of job aids is to minimize wasted effort, minimize errors, and promote consistency in practice. These instructions may be in the form of a post-it note, checklist, cheat sheet, flow chart, or other format but all are quick references that provide real-time guidance. These are especially useful for activities that are conducted seasonally or infrequently. They may also be helpful in breaking down complex activities into actionable tasks.

 

Below are job aids on various knowledge management tools and practices.

 

 

Below are additional job aids for committee activities.