Knowledge management within Manaaki Whenua
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| Jenny Hurst with highly experienced programme leader Rob Allen. Image - Larry Burrows |
Manaaki Whenua is a knowledge business. The success of our organisation depends on managing knowledge eff ectively. While much of our knowledge is well documented as publications, nationally significant databases, and commercialisation initiatives, a significant part of it is the tacit knowledge that resides within the heads of our scientists.
Our Knowledge Management Strategy was prepared in December 2002. A key priority has been facilitating the sharing and transfer of this tacit knowledge from our experienced scientists to their collaborators and successors. Our in-house project Tiaki Mātauranga has a number of specific initiatives in support of this. Two initiatives that have progressed significantly, are:
- “Knowing who knows what”—an intranet-based staff locator designed to help staff find the right person to talk to—it averages over 4000 hits per month from staff. The locator contains information on individuals’ science areas, programme involvement, site location, skills and training, photos, and personal interests. Each individual manages their personal information.
- “Cultivating conversations”—designed to facilitate crossfertilisation of ideas. A number of small comfortable areas, with excellent coffee on hand, have been created to encourage staff to relax and talk informally to each other about their science and interests.
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| Kevin Tate. Image - Alison Fordyce |
A key priority is transferring the tacit knowledge of experienced senior scientists to younger staff .
A more difficult area is managing the transfer of the significant levels of tacit knowledge when scientists leave the organisation. We have two main strategies to reduce the risk of losing this knowledge. The first is to encourage departing top scientists to maintain an involvement in our science programmes. Of our top talent scientists who left in the last two years for another research organisation, 57% are still involved in our programmes. Our second strategy is our Research Associate Programme, where retiring scientists are off ered the opportunity to continue their research using our resources and facilities. Of the seven postgraduate scientists who retired over the last three years, five are now Research Associates. Kevin Tate is one these.
"Accepting a Research Associateship has meant I can transition into
fully retiring while still keeping my mind active and doing what I love
to do. I remain passionate about the climate change issue and that
the research we do can make a diff erence, and loyal to my friends
and colleagues with whom I have worked long and hard. I want to
continue to help younger staff and students who are so essential to
our future.’"
Kevin Tate
Mate atu he tētē kura, ara ake he tētē kura.
As one chief/expert passes on, another rises to take his/her place.