The document discusses how knowledge and learning are social and networked phenomena. It argues that an individual's knowledge is limited to their own network and access to other networks. An effective organization allows knowledge to flow between individuals and groups through social networks. Key individuals who bridge different groups help spread knowledge across the organization. The document advocates that organizations should map their social networks to understand knowledge flow and identify important connectors. This provides insights to improve an organization's ability to learn, adapt, and achieve awareness, alternatives, and action.

1. Knowledge and Learning in
Organizations!
Valdis Krebs
valdis@orgnet.com
http://orgnet.com

2. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Valdis Krebs
• MLIR from Michigan State University
• Math/Computer Science undergrad
• 15 years as Manger in HRIS/HRMS
– Ford, TRW, Toyota, Disney
• Orgnet, LLC since 1995
– SNA, ONA, Network Science, Data Visualization
• Cleveland, OH
• Worldwide client base

3. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Knowledge & Learning
• It’s a social thing…
– You are only as smart as the network(s) you are
embedded in!
– ... and the network(s) you have access to!
• Local and Non-local Exchange
– Within the group
– Between groups
• Connect on Your Similarities,
and Benefit from Your Differences™

4. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Approach

5. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
People & Knowledge

6. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Similarities and Differences

7. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Similarities and Differences

8. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Similarities and Differences
Connect on Your Similarities,
and Benefit from Your
Differences™

9. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Network and Knowledge Space

10. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Old View of Organizations

11. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Hierarchy Shown as Network

12. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Emergent Organization (Wirearchy)

13. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Executives at SMB

14. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Hierarchy & Knowledge Exchange

15. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Emergent Knowledge Organization

16. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Key People

17. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Knowledge Exchange & Learning
• Knowledge flows from person to
person
• Human network links distribute
knowledge to others
• Key people in the network are the
connectors/bridges of knowledge
from one group to another
• Learning does not happen across
unconnected spaces

18. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Project Team

19. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Online Discussion Group

20. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Node Size by Access

21. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Key Go-To People

22. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Employee Social Network(ESN)

23. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Employee Social Network(ESN)

24. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Node Size by Network Location

25. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Network Metrics
• Once we map networks, we can measure
them, at various levels…
• Individual
• Group
• Whole System
• Who are the SMEs, Go-To people?
• Who are the Connectors, Linch-Pins
between groups/teams?
• Who is in the thick of things?
• Who is isolated?

26. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Sense-Making
• Maps are sense-making documents
• Allow us to see how knowledge is exchanged
and accessed in the organization
• A “Mirror”, not a “Report card”
• What do we change, if anything?
• “As-Is” —> “Should Be”

27. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
AAA Organization
• You can not predict the future…but you can be ready for it
• Don’t try to design the perfect organization for the future
• Build an organization that can sense, learn & adapt
• Knowledge exchange and rapid learning are key!
• A - Awareness
A - Alternatives
A – Action

28. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Non-AAA Organization

29. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
AAA Organization

30. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Key Employees in AAA Org

31. AAA Organization
For an organization to be agile and adaptive, the
people in it need to be Aware of what is
happening around them, have Alternative
pathways to gather information, knowledge, and
share learning. People must be allowed to Act to
meet/solve both local and global goals/problems.
They need to be in both the hierarchy and in self-
organizing networks simultaneously! Different
networks transfer different knowledge.

32. Copyright © Valdis Krebs
Questions & Discussion
@orgnet (Twitter/Skype)
valdis@orgnet.com
http://www.orgnet.com
http://thenetworkthinkers.com