One of the things we have learnt from the development and use of the IDeA Community of Practice Platform is that a CoP can have different needs, dependent on the stage in their life cycle and their primary purpose. The role and importance of the facilitators (or moderators) in these communities cannot be overemphasised since they must ensure that the needs of the CoP are understood in order to create the appropriate environment for achieving their CoP’s goals and objectives.The following table identifies various needs of a CoP, dependent on its primary purpose. A CoP could go through all of these various categories of need during its life-cycle. Successful facilitators will be in tune with the changing needs of their CoPs, and will provide the required support and facilities to meet these needs.How does a facilitator know what his/her community needs at any particular point in time? Through continual engagement with community members and regular member surveys.
COMMUNITY NEEDS
Helping needsWhere members help each other to solve day-to-day issues and experts can be invited in to help. |
Best practice needsWhere developing and disseminating best practice, guidelines and procedures issued to provide instant access to validated and up to date knowledge and information. |
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Knowledge Stewarding needsWhere there is a need to organise, manage and steward a body of knowledge from which members can draw. |
Innovation needsWhere the creation of breakthrough ideas, knowledge and practices is paramount |
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