Communities of practice
Concrete activities
Communities of practice
What?
An activity in which two or more groups who share a concern or a passion for something work together, meet, and engage in a process of collectively learning how to work better together.
Why?
The activity can be used to create understanding between, for example, the development parts of an organization and the operating parts.
How?
Two or more groups create more cross-communication.
They meet and make use of various activities, where the focal point is a joint responsibility for sharing the necessary knowledge. Examples of activities are:
1) Problem Solving: "Can we work on this and brainstorm some ideas that I'm stuck on"
2) Information requests: "Where can I find information about this so that I can move forward in my work"
3) Experience sharing: "Has anyone tried to be in this situation before?".
They do several workshops together and visit each other to reach a common understanding.
Who?
The activity can be performed by everyone in a group (at all organizational levels). Depending on what is at stake, it is recommended to involve local leaders.
Superusers from different departments may be needed to create the right contacts and keep in touch.
Squad
What?
An activity where groups (despite cooperation challenges) unite in the 'fight' against or for something else. The groups get the opportunity to have new experiences together, without having to leave their existing group identities.
Why?
When together we need to fight for something important.
How?
Two or more groups meet for an important mission that matters to all groups. The groups meet to discuss their understanding of the mission and how to handle it. The mission is supported by identity-creating activities, storytelling, slogans and the like.
Who?
The activity can be carried out by everyone in a group (at all organizational levels), but works best if local leaders actively support it.