Organisations that deliver sustainable, market-driven solutions connect and lever available knowledge assets and are able to learn quickly. Equally, continuous learning and use of best practice are essential to running safe and cost effective operations.
But what if:
- The same mistakes are made over and over again at the cost of quality and performance?
- The wheel is being reinvented and effort is being unnecessarily duplicated?
- Lessons learned are not adopted by other departments and progress is slower than could be?
- Lack of information structure prevents the reuse of valuable information when and where it is needed?
- Information has not been validated and is therefore potentially unreliable?
- Crucial operations rely on one or two experts, putting those operations at risk?
- Employees become frustrated at spending too much time searching for information?
Most companies recognise at least one or more of these problems, some recognise all of them. These problems result in unnecessary risks, higher costs and missed opportunities. Performance improves and risks reduce as we learn from the collective experience of colleagues, customers and suppliers and apply that knowledge in our business.
Optimising knowledge use:
A closed learning loop at any level in an organisation will exploit common experience, as knowledge in people and documents is found faster and applied better. In its work with clients, DNV reviews, designs and implements learning cycles, focusing on tools such as wikis, intranets, content management, along with organisational solutions such as knowledge networks, coaching and smart learning processes.
Practical examples:
Eurocontrol
Aviation safety knowledge is easily accessible globally through smart use of wiki technology. With Skybrary (www.skybrary.aero) best practices in aviation safety are easier found and quicker applied. The wiki platform invites aviation professionals to acquire new knowledge and to share their experience; a network of aviation experts ensures content reliability. DNV has designed and built the software platform and developed the content management process.
Shell
"How do you ensure that when an expert leaves, their expertise remains available?" The "Retention of Critical Knowledge" programme provides Shell with a powerful tool to transfer the knowledge, experience and profesional network to their successors and the rest of the organisation. DNV is successfully executing this programme.
Sellafield Ltd.
Availability of knowledge of nuclear installations must be ensured for generations. To safeguard its expertise, Sellafield started a knowledge management programme with the support of DNV. This multi-year programme includes the development of the knowledge management strategy, training the knowledge management team in its implementation and several projects, such as setting up communities of practice, leaving experts’ knowledge retention and transfer and knowledge risk analyses.
Our Approach
The needs of our clients vary, but share a common theme: how can we make smarter use of available knowledge? Our approach takes a broad perspective, involving e.g. production, HR, IT and often suppliers. Engagements usually start with a quick scan to identify how the improved use of experience can support business objectives. It provides the foundation for a knowledge management improvement plan: introduction of smart tools and processes to enhance operations.
Interested in how we can help your company? Please contact us
Datum: woensdag 16 februari 2011