Knowledge and Collaboration

“MySource = Our Source”MySource = Our Source

Jill EdwardsManager StrategyManager StrategyAustralasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC)

Squiz International User Conference – October 2010q

A little about AFAC:A little about AFAC:36 members in 5 broad categories

Urban Fire and Rescue Services

Rural Fire and Rescue Services

Land Management Agencies Land Management Agencies

State Emergency Services

National bodies

Affiliate membersAffiliate members

What does AFAC do?

“AFAC id t iti t b ild

What does AFAC do?

“AFAC provides opportunities to build strong and enduring relationships allowing members to achieve better outcomes than

working alone.”

Commissioner Lee Johnson AFSMQueensland Fire and Rescue Service

President of AFAC

AFAC Vision:AFAC Vision:

Fire and Emergency Services strengthened

th h h i ll b tithrough sharing, collaboration and innovationand innovation

Knowledge Management:Knowledge Management:- A new approach to Knowledge Management - “thinking and interaction”

-Technology environment poor-Technology environment poor

- Little or no in-house content management expertise

- Limited budgetted budget

MySource becomes Our Source:MySource becomes Our Source:- Giant leap of faith

- December 2007 Contract Signed with Squiz

- 2 Websites launched September 2008

- AFAC Knowledge Web (www knowledgeweb afac com au)AFAC Knowledge Web (www.knowledgeweb.afac.com.au)

- AFAC Corporate Website (www.afac.com.au)

- Marketing to 35+ member agencies – ‘go to’ place

About AFAC MembersAbout AFAC Members

The lessons we learnt:• Never to lock ourselves into a ‘hard’ launch ever again!!• Spend more time with Squiz team at the beginning to• Spend more time with Squiz team at the beginning to

define requirements• To think differently about creating new capabilityTo think differently about creating new capability• To think differently about information management• Under-estimated the time investment in bringing people g g p p

along• To learn a new language• Content is QUEEN – it has to come (and keep coming)

from somewhere

MySource = Our source:• Incredibly stable product• Over 3000 web pages of research case studies and• Over 3000 web pages of research, case studies and

industry knowledge• Reach our 2000th member by NovemberReach our 2000 member by November• Members beginning to contribute content• Major content re-development project currently under wayj p p j y y• ‘Hits’ growing but reluctance to participate in Forums• About to look at user Authentication processes – improve p p

member management• Planning for Information Architecture and Navigation

upgrade.

www.afac.com.auwww knowledgeweb afac com auwww.knowledgeweb.afac.com.au

Thank You