Knowledge Management (KM) can be properly managed and monitored within an integrated organisation such as Institute for Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) in Zimbabwe. This is one of the findings that emerged during the KM workshop held from 28 June to 02 July 2004 at IWSD.

The week-long workshop was aiming at enabling IWSD staff and participants from other organisations to apply KM tools and methods in their working environments. It also looked at the use of existing knowledge to improve water and sanitation information management.

WELL Knowledge Management

Jaap Pels from IRC and Frank Odhiambo from WEDC facilitated the workshop as part of the Knowledge Management module of WELL Resource Centre Network for water, sanitation and environmental health. They defined KM as a tool which addresses the critical issues of organisational adaptation, survival and competence in face of increasing environmental change. It embodies organisational processes that seek to bring together data and information processing and information technologies with human creative and innovative capacity.

Participants were introduced to KM concepts and how organisations can benefit. They were requested to list their expectations and fears. These were re-visited at the end of the workshop to ensure that most of people’s expectations were met and that their fears were allayed. Discussion groups were formed based on IWSD sections but also including participants from other organisations.

KM plans per section

Each group focused intensively on main objectives of the section. They developed short-term KM action plans, linked to the vision and mission of the organisation. This is what the groups came up with:

1. Technical and Training

• To develop and publish postgraduate training materials in six course themes and modules.

2. Information and Marketing

• To come up with a manageable and interactive website with up-to-date and comprehensive information.

3. Finance and Administrative

• To make sure that financial procedures are in place, and that assistance in project financial matters is given.

4. Research

• To develop four fundable research proposals that address national, regional, and global issues and to identify gaps.

One clear KM implementation strategy

By the close, the workshop had developed a clear KM implementation strategy for IWSD. The strategy integrated business needs, knowledge levers, technological infrastructure and organisation realities, invoking an appropriate programme of organisational, process and cultural change.

IWSD operates throughout Southern Africa. The Institute assists in the achievement of sustainable development of water resources and waste management through the provision of support to development agencies in Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa region. This is done through training, research, advisory services and information dissemination.

By Jabu Masondo.

Jabu joined the WELL facilitator team in Zimbabwe as part of the learning and exchange programmes of junior professional officers of IRC and southern partners, in this case The Mvula Trust, South Africa.

Tags: capacity development, governance, information and communication