Knowledge Interconnection Virtual Environmental Science Information Library (VESIL) Rasha Ahmed...

Knowledge Knowledge InterconnectionInterconnection

Knowledge Knowledge InterconnectionInterconnection

Virtual Environmental Science Information Library

(VESIL)

Rasha Ahmed ShehataRasha Ahmed Shehata

Created based upon the Knowledge Innovation Assessment Methodology © ENTOVATION International Ltd. www.entovation.com

Thank youThank youThe following course work and project proposal was created as part of the „KEN

Practitioner Certification Course“ delivered at RITSEC, Cairo in April and May 2005 in collaboration with Entovation Internation Ltd.

The Knowledge Innovation Assessment Methodology was developed and is copyrighted by Debra M. Amidon (www.entovation.com)

A special thank you for their support is given to (alphabetically listed by given name):

– The Egyptian Ministry of Administrative Development– RITSEC Management

• Effat El-Shooky• Hisham Sherif

• Mahmood Rezk

– RITSEC Staff• Amin Lotfy (Local project management and facilitation)

• Ahmed Sobky (Local project management and facilitation)• Neven Noshy (Local IT support)

• Sophia Korayem (Local project management)

– International supporters• Debra Amidon, Entovation International Ltd www.entovation.com (Content expert)

• Oliver Schwabe, Eurofocus International Consultants Ltd, www.euro-focus.com (Facilitator)

– and the whole participant group


Executive SummaryExecutive SummaryExecutive SummaryExecutive Summary

Establishing a virtual library to help in spreading the awareness for

environmental science which is considered a common share in many fields.


Project DescriptionProject DescriptionProject DescriptionProject Description

Problem:– Availability of environmental publications.

– Availability of these publications in a digital form.

– Availability of some recourses in Arabic language.

Solution:

Establishing a virtual library providing downlodable digital publications with mutula

cooperation among involved parties.


Expected Financial ValueExpected Financial ValueExpected Financial ValueExpected Financial Value

Publications purchasing.

Cost reduction (paper & printing).

Fast spreading of digital publications.

Facilitate researches and references in lowest costs and shortest time.


Expected Non-Financial ValueExpected Non-Financial ValueExpected Non-Financial ValueExpected Non-Financial Value

Increasing environmental awareness.Availability of information.

Helping researchers.Overcoming language barriers.

Integrated related fields to environmental science.

Using IT in communication.Spreading knowledge among public.


Measurement of Non-Financial Measurement of Non-Financial ValueValue

Measurement of Non-Financial Measurement of Non-Financial ValueValue

Emphasizing the cooperation, collaboration, and data sharing among all

involved parties.Increased number of visitors to the virtual

library.Utilization of provided feedback.

Increase of publications added to the library.

Increase of publications translated into Arabic language.


Project ActivitiesProject Activities Project ActivitiesProject Activities 1. Data collection.

2. Approvals and copyrights.3. Data converting.

4. Categorization. 5. Languages used.

6. Fees. 7. Access method.

8. Virtual library construction. 9. Advertising.

10. Following up.


Resources RequiredResources RequiredResources RequiredResources Required

Digital publications.

Interpreters.

Equipments and tools needed for converting printed publications to a digital

form and securing them.

IT staff.

Technical equipments and tools needed for establishing the library.


Time RequiredTime RequiredTime RequiredTime Required

3-4 years


Organizational ReadinessOrganizational ReadinessOrganizational ReadinessOrganizational Readiness

Many organizations have their publications or an ordinary library.

The resources nearly exist.

Some effort will be needed in:– Gathering.

– Categorization.– Translation (if needed).

– Converting data to digital form (if needed) .


Success CriteriaSuccess CriteriaSuccess CriteriaSuccess Criteria

Environmental awareness will be raised.Having no language obstacles, many

people will benefit from the information provided.

Increase of researches in the environmental science or related fields.Using technology as an educating tool.

Availability of information and easiness of search and accessibility.


Projected Start DateProjected Start DateProjected Start DateProjected Start Date

3 – 5 months

(tactical)


The Assessment ResultsThe Assessment ResultsThe Assessment ResultsThe Assessment Results


The Detailed ResultsThe Detailed ResultsThe Detailed ResultsThe Detailed ResultsCurrent Rating Desired Rating

Collaborative Process 0.67 7.11

Performance Measures 2.40 8.10

Education / Development 1.17 7.75

Learning Network 1.11 8.33

Market Positioning 2.00 8.11

Products/Services 1.00 7.40

Market Penetration 0.50 7.10

Market Image 2.90 7.70

Leadership / Leverage 1.79 8.07

Technology / Internet 1.44 8.13


Recommendations for the Recommendations for the overall projectoverall project


The project is important for increasing environmental awareness among different sectors of the public and it is essential for students in schools, institutes, colleges, and research centers.




The project can be implemented in phases:– Establishment of a network coordination for

information gathering.– Categorization, translation, and converting to

digital form.– Upgrading and assessment.




Developing a fund raising process for project implementation including partnership of stakeholders and donors assistance.


Activities: Collaborative Activities: Collaborative ProcessProcess Urgent (address immediately)

– There is not an identified contact person for the overall innovation process in my

organization. – There has to be a cross-organizational

leadership support for this contact person. – The innovation process within my organization

needs a collaborative venture involving all levels of personnel.



– The criteria for measuring the success of innovations within my organization is not

clearly defined. – My organization’s innovation process is not

capable of supporting the development of innovation from idea creation through

commercialization. – The is no resources and tools allocated to the

innovation process within my organization.



– No involvement of my organization’s stakeholders (investors, customers, suppliers)

in the innovation process. – My organization’s business strategies are not

aligned to maximize results of a successful innovation process.

– There has to be an explicit innovation process exists within my organization.


Ideas for Ideas for Collaborative Collaborative ProcessProcess

Ideas for Ideas for Collaborative Collaborative ProcessProcess

Encouraging individuals to propose their ideas (and that their suggestion won’t be a

burden upon them).

Having a contact person between individuals and decision makers to

demonstrate the proposed new ideas.

Fulfilling good ideas that can be implemented may encourage others to

propose with their ideas.


Collaborative ProcessCollaborative Process Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Collaborative ProcessCollaborative Process Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Some employees may have the ability of creativity that may evolve new ideas which can be applied through out the organizational system.

In order to make use of these ideas, a coordinator or a contact person is needed to be assigned as a link between the individuals who have the ideas and the managers who will supervisors the implementation process.


Activities: Activities: Performance Performance MeasuresMeasures

Urgent (address immediately)– There is not an identified person who is

responsible for performing the Assessment of Knowledge Innovation within the organization.

– The instrumentation needed to ensure proper, consistent calibration over time is not in place.

– The measurement process has to be perceived as a learning activity.



Urgent (address immediately)– Incentives have to be in place within the organization which promote idea creation, responsible risk-taking, and application of

inventions or concepts into development of products/services.

– The organization has to apply a reward system for idea creation, responsible risk-

taking, and development of innovations into products/services.



Urgent (address immediately)– Processes need to be put in place within the

organization to measure the organization’s intangible assets.

– The organization’s measurement systems needs to provide a means to promote value in

the eyes of customers and stakeholders.



Important (address within 3 months)– This business strategy needs to be clearly

communicated within all levels of the organization.

– The organization’s performance measures are not quite designed to gauge both tangible and

intangible indices.


Ideas for Ideas for Performance Performance MeasuresMeasures

The organization has to have a way to measure the performance and this way or

standards have to be well known to all workers.

The results from measuring should help in improving the performance and adjusting or fixing the problems resulting from bad

performance. There has to be some rewards for new

ideas that can enhance the organization performance, products, or services.


Performance MeasuresPerformance Measures Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Performance MeasuresPerformance Measures Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

To examine if the outcome of the organization matches the requirements or not, a performance measure should be established to detect the status of the whole organization.


Activities: Activities: Education Education / Development / Development

Urgent (address immediately)– Teaching strategies used in the organization’s

educational programs needs adjustments to provide for dynamic dialogue among

participants. – Mechanisms are needed to be established

within the organization to capture “fugitive” or “tacit” knowledge.

– Mechanisms exist within the organization have to evaluate the usefulness of “fugitive” / “tacit”

knowledge to the organization.



Urgent (address immediately)– Educational programs and processes within

the organization are not learner-centered. – The organization’s educational programs have

to be designed to include a variety of teaching strategies.

– Allocation of organizational resources for education has to be seen by management as

an investment in the future value of the organization.



Urgent (address immediately)– All employees within the organization need to

view learning as an integral, day-to-day responsibility.

– Systems have to be in place within the organization to capture knowledge.

– Systems have to be in place within the organization to track the flow of knowledge.



Urgent (address immediately)– Systems have to be in place within the organization to incorporate knowledge in

planning business strategy. – The expanding global community needs to be

utilized as a learning resource for personnel within the organization.



Important (address within 3 months)– The location / locations where knowledge is

created within the organization needs to be more identified.


Ideas for Ideas for Education Education / Development / Development

Employees have to appreciate the value of learning new things and how this can affect their way of thinking and work

efficiency.

The organization has to have an identified system or program for knowledge follow-

up and utilization.


Ideas for Ideas for Education Education / Development / Development

Teaching techniques should have space for individual opinions that may help in

developing and improving these techniques.

The organization should have a training system to teach the employees using new

systems and methods.


Education / Development Education / Development Minor Project DescriptionMinor Project DescriptionEducation / Development Education / Development Minor Project DescriptionMinor Project Description

In order to have progress, a training system should be implemented. Also encouraging individuals to learn more and use what they learn in their daily work.


Activities: Activities: Learning Network Learning Network

Urgent (address immediately)– All participants in the “network” have to share

a common vision. – There has to be mechanisms in place to

document the economic wealth of the network. – The geographic centers need to provide

opportunities for dialogue and learning. – Communication systems has to be in place to

effectively promote cross-fertilization of knowledge between centers.


Activities: Activities: Learning Network Learning Network

Urgent (address immediately)– All participants in the “network” have to have a

shared purpose. – There have to be incentives in place which

encourage participation in the network. – Communication within the network needs to

be facilitated by computer/communications technology.

– Centers of Excellence which recognize and leverage complementary competencies needs

to be established within the network.


Ideas for Ideas for Learning Network Learning Network

All branches should be connected to the organization to have the opportunity of

sharing knowledge.

Every branch should work as if it is a small organization as the big one through out its

geographic area.

The main organization should have frequent feedback for the branches work to

have an overview of all the activities and how these results can be useful.


Ideas for Ideas for Learning Network Learning Network

Facilitating the connection between the organization and the branches by using

communication technologies.

Helping employees to use the communication technologies in sharing

knowledge for better results.


Learning Network Learning Network Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Learning Network Learning Network Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

The organization can benefit from being connected with its branches to share knowledge and communicate. This can be done by using computer/communication technology to make it easer and faster utilization.


Activities: Activities: Market Positioning Market Positioning Urgent (address immediately)

– The organization’s intelligence-gathering system requires to be linked to the corporate

library / information system. – Data obtained by the organization’s

intelligence-gathering system is not quickly integrated (fed-forward) into the day-to-day

operations of all personnel who have a need to know.

– The role of “Information Technology Manager” has to be re-defined as “Knowledge Manager,”

or a comparable title.


Activities: Activities: Market Positioning Market Positioning Urgent (address immediately)

– Techniques demand developed within the organization to prioritize new business

opportunities within the context of current strategy.

– These techniques need to be applied consistently so that insights can be compared

and contrasted with validity in the marketplace.

– The organization’s intelligence-gathering mechanisms are not sufficiently sensitive to

capture critical information from non-traditional sources.


Activities: Activities: Market Positioning Market Positioning

Important (address within 3 months)– The organization’s range of vision needs to be

consistently and accurately capturing signals from diverse competitors (both current and

future). – The organization has to define mechanisms

and/or systems in place to align the internal environment with the external environment.

– These mechanisms and/or systems have to be integrated into organizational strategies

and policies.


Ideas for Ideas for Market Positioning Market Positioning

Obtaining, analyzing, and providing data that should flow in a system which can be

used for any information needed.

Any data that individuals may need should be ready upon demand.

There has to be defined individuals to gather data from different resources that can be useful in the information system.


Market Positioning Market Positioning Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Market Positioning Market Positioning Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Building and integrated system that can be fed with data and analyzes it in order to provide information whenever needed. This system has to link all organization departments and branches so as to give a full picture and support to decision makers.


Activities: Activities: Products / Services Products / Services Urgent (address immediately)

– The organization needs to follow product design principles and processes which

emphasize the development of products and services which have embedded knowledge

support. – The organization has to set aside investment

capital to fund and nurture a sufficient percentage of new ideas to stay ahead of the

competition. – The organization requires to develop a

sufficient percentage of new products and services each year to stay ahead of the

competition.



– The organization nearly has the ability to create products and services to meet the unarticulated needs of the marketplace.

– The organization nearly has the ability to create products and services to meet the

unarticulated needs of the marketplace ahead of the competition.

– The organization needs to have the ability to create products and services to meet the

unserved needs of the marketplace.



– The organization needs to have the ability to create products and services to meet the

unserved needs of the marketplace ahead of the competition.

– Unrealized competencies exist within the organization (i.e., content and process) can be

used to develop unique, highly marketable products and services.



– Products and services which are currently being marketed to customers as part of the

normal business sale could be either “unbundled” or “bundled,” and marketed at a

premium. – Methods to be established within the

organization to standardize some customized services, so that the revenues can be

optimized.


Ideas for Ideas for Products / Services Products / Services The products/services provided have to meet the

customer needs and may be more.

The organization has to have the ability to change or enhance the products/services when

ever needed.

The development process should continue till reaching optimized products/services.

Studying of new ideas proposed to the organization aiming to develop the

products/services provided.


Products / Services Products / Services Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Products / Services Products / Services Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Making use of feedback provided by customers or individuals for developing the products/services. Some ideas could be useful to enhance the products/services provided and improve the organization performance.


Activities: Activities: Market Penetration Market Penetration Urgent (address immediately)

– The organization have to use alternative channels of distribution for its products and

services. – The organization’s strategic alliance process

needs to define new rules of participation. – The organization has strategies that needs to

be adjusted in place for capturing learning from partner interactions, in addition to

reaping the traditional return on investment.



– Within its network of strategic alliances, the organization needs to maintain a balance

between cooperative and collaborative relationships.

– The organization has to adjust the strategies to be in place to monitor the strategic alliances

of its partners. – The organization has to adjust strategies to be

in place to monitor the strategic alliances of its competitors.



– The organization’s strategic has to adjust the process that defines measurable activities and

standards of performance. – The organization has to define a map of its

existing network of strategic alliances. – The organization has to define its plans for

future evolution. – The organization’s view of the “enterprise”

includes stakeholders, partners, and customers.


Ideas for Ideas for Market Penetration Market Penetration The organization can use its branches in

distributing the products and services.

The organization has to have a defined standard to measure the activities and

performance.

Planning flexible strategies for existing and future projects, in which any step could be

changed according to any variations.


Market Penetration Market Penetration Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Market Penetration Market Penetration Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

The organization plans (existing and future plans) should have some flexibility. This will help in improving and changing the present (if there is something wrong) position to a better one.


Activities: Activities: Market Image Market Image Urgent (address immediately)

– The organization has strategies in place to assess receptivity to new, untested ideas

within the marketplace ahead of the competition.

– Within the organization, the difference between a marketing strategy and an

advertising campaign is clearly defined. – The organization’s advertising messages are

based upon knowledge-based competencies, instead of product attributes.


Activities: Activities: Market Image Market Image Urgent (address immediately)

– The organization’s advertising tries to convey a balanced message regarding its current

position and its future direction. – The organization’s image campaign needs to

be more sufficient multifaceted to create new markets.

– The organization’s image campaign is based upon its inherent capabilities.

– The organization’s image campaign needs to be more sufficient multifaceted to penetrate

existing markets.


Activities: Activities: Market Image Market Image Important (address within 3 months)

– The organization’s competencies requires supporting its marketing messages.

– The organization’s culture requires supporting its marketing messages.

– The organization’s advertising needs to emphasize its uniqueness in the marketplace.


Ideas for Ideas for Market Image Market Image The organization has to have a defined

strategy to assess the response for new products/services provided.

The organization strategy has to include plans for market penetration and creating

new markets.

The advertising methods have to serve the organization strategies.


Market Image Market Image Minor Project Minor Project DescriptionDescription

Market Image Market Image Minor Project Minor Project DescriptionDescription

Assessing new products/services acceptation to know to what extend these new ideas are successful and why. Also if they were not successful as expected, what are the reasons behind and how can we make use of them and improve these products/services.


Activities: Activities: Leadership Leadership / Leverage / Leverage

Urgent (address immediately)– As an organization leader, you have to put

mechanisms in place to legitimize employees’ sharing of knowledge and expertise.

– As an organization leader, you have to put mechanisms in place to encourage

employee’s sharing of knowledge and expertise.

– As an organization leader, you have to put mechanisms in place to reward employees for

sharing knowledge and expertise.



Urgent (address immediately)– As an organization leader, you have to define

your sphere of influence within the world community.

– As an organization leader, you have to use the knowledge gained from external leadership activities to develop new internal business

strategies. – As an organization leader, you have to perceive external leadership activities as

integral to the business.



Urgent (address immediately)– As an organization leader, you need to use

multiple strategies to enhance your own intellectual leadership.

– As an organization leader, you have to develop internal mechanisms to capture

expertise in ways that enhance the organization’s business performance.

– As an organization leader, you have to develop internal mechanisms to codify

expertise in ways that enhance the organization’s business performance.



Urgent (address immediately)– As an organization leader, you have to

develop internal mechanisms to feed-forward expertise in ways that enhance the

organization’s business performance. – As an organization leader, you need to define

your sphere of influence across sectors (e.g., government, industry, education, or non-

profit).



Urgent (address immediately)– As an organization leader, you have to put

effective strategies in place to disseminate your knowledge to the marketplace.

– As an organization leader, you have to put effective strategies in place to apply your

competencies in the marketplace.



Important (address within 3 months)– As an organization leader, you need to define

your sphere of influence within the industry.


Ideas for Ideas for Leadership Leadership / Leverage / Leverage

Stating the legislations that will encourage employees to share knowledge and

expertise.

Determine a reward mechanism for employees knowledge sharing and

expertise.

The organization leader has to enhance his intellectual leadership.


Ideas for Ideas for Leadership Leadership / Leverage / Leverage

Benefiting from similar experiences.

Benefiting from feedback provided to the organization in improving and progressing

the organization activities.


Leadership / Leverage Leadership / Leverage Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Leadership / Leverage Leadership / Leverage Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Defining the rules for the organization employees to practice knowledge sharing in between. These rules have to include a rewarding mechanism in which it which it encourage employees to share knowledge and expertise.


Activities: Activities: Technology Technology / Internet/ Internet Urgent (address immediately)

– Within the organization, roles are needed to be clearly defined to motivate optimal

innovation. – Within the organization, career paths have to

be developed to motivate optimal innovation. – Within the organization, incentives/rewards needs to be built into the system to motivate

optimal innovation. – Within the organization, innovative ideas have

to be well-received.


Activities: Activities: Technology Technology / Internet/ Internet

Urgent (address immediately)

– Collaboration and interaction of employees across

organizational boundaries require tracking.

– Collaboration and interaction of employees across

organizational boundaries has to be measured in

terms of value-added contributions.

– The organization needs to use cyberspace as a

learning tool.

– Within the organization, technology have to be

perceived as an enabler, rather than an end in itself.



Urgent (address immediately)– Within the organization, the locus for project initiation

needs to be clearly identified. – Technology has to be used within the organization to

promote collaboration between employees who work in different areas.

– Within the organization, a well-defined managerial infrastructure has to be defined.

– The organization needs sufficient flexibility to capitalize on the benefits of current information

technology. – The most current advances in information technology

have to be in use within the organization.



Important (address within 3 months)– Within the organization, well-defined technical

infrastructure needed to be adjusted. – A network of expertise needs to be enhanced

within the organization to provide assistance to employees in the areas of technology,

organizational behavior, and general information about the business.

– The persons comprising the network are not easily identified by employees.


Ideas for Ideas for Technology Technology / Internet/ Internet

Defining a technical infrastructure to the whole organization.

Making use of information technology benefits.

Using the network in communication and connection within the organization and with

other branches.

Using the network in providing the assistance needed for employees.


Ideas for Ideas for Technology Technology / Internet/ Internet

Encouraging employees to be innovative by well receiving them and by using a

reward system.

Using the network in knowledge sharing between employees and encouraging

collaboration within the organization itself and across its branches.

Using information technology as a learning tool.


Technology / InternetTechnology / Internet Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Technology / InternetTechnology / Internet Minor Minor Project DescriptionProject Description

Making use of technology in learning for employees to improve work quality and encourage knowledge sharing.

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