PDG - Community of Practice

3.1.3 Community of Practice

One job of the Core Group is to implement the five big ideas in developing and managing the processes of design and delivery. Creating a learning environment within which to use these tools is a responsibility of the site Core Group. Both the Program Manager and the site Core Group should encourage learning by supporting and leading lean processes. Leadership will set the tone and exemplify the behavior of the learning environment.

Community of Practice

The Community of Practice establishes a site focus group that concentrates on rapid learning and continuous improvement. This Core Group Community of Practice is a group of project participants with diverse skills, backgrounds and demonstrated leadership in each of their areas of competence.

The Core Group at each site should actively cultivate additional Communities of Practice. Each project site will contribute personnel to program level Communities of Practice. If required, a steering committee will be appointed to act as a coordinating body for information flow.

As a Community of Practice, the site Core Group will meet regularly. Meetings can include Program participants via teleconference. Discussions will include:

  • "What's working? What's not working?" on this site at this time?
  • Where are there opportunities to improve?
  • What are the risks which must be mitigated and monitored?
  • What challenges are we experiencing?
  • What are our constraints?
  • What new experiences can be shared?
  • What are critical lessons learned that should be disseminated and to whom?
  • What knowledge sharing has occurred since the last meeting?
  • How are we being effective?
  • How are we adding value as defined by the Owner?
  • How can we increase our value?

Continuous Improvement

Sustaining an environment encouraging continuous improvement will take many forms. In addition to providing structured orientation and introductions to lean principles, IPD teams must build systems that teach by example and provide for learning in action. Leaders must exhibit lean behaviors to encourage others to follow the model.

All site teams will have access to the Central Office library. Necessary materials for new hires, new trade partners and suppliers will be made available on site.


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