Category: AFRD Process

Secrets to Digital Transformation Success

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Agile, Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, Methodologies, Processes, TransformationLeave a comment

In a contribution for the InformationWeek Traci Hudson, a consultant with Steve Trautman Co. and former IT executive, talks about the importance of knowledge transfer (KT) processes within digital transformation programs. She states that four components are key to establishing successful KT:

  • “Identify an expert within the company to set the standard” (i.e., somebody who can help educate a team of people to become experts in a certain area or using a specific knowledge management system);
  • “Create a skill development plan”;
  • “Empower the apprentice: Unlike traditional teacher/student relationships, knowledge transfer puts the apprentice in the driver’s seat. Apprentices have the most to gain from knowledge transfer, so arming them with tools, processes, and goals allows them to get to work in a way that works for them”;
  • “Test the transfer”.

I do agree on the points. They are similar to some of the key findings of my AFRD-Framework® research project. What is crucial though is that communication across team members is actively supported and enhanced. “Arming people with tools (…)”, as Hudson puts it, may by far not be enough. A company needs to create an atmosphere of knowledge-friendliness based on trust (apart from other components). [poet-badge]

“Atomic Habits” – How to make Change happen

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Change, Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, ProcessesLeave a comment

“Atomic Habits”, to my mind, is a remarkable work by James Clear. The book, in essence, is about change processes – how to get them into motion and how to make them successful. Step by step. Undoubtedly, it is worth a read.  “Atomic Habits” reminded me of some of the findings of the AFRD research project on Knowledge Transfer (AFRD-Framework®) which I publicised earlier this year.

Last week, I sent the book to select business partners as a little Christmas gift. Thanks to everybody for their great feedback! The most elaborated one (by far) was published by Kai Boyd from Mir-nach!. Thank you, Kai. Check it here (in German). [poet-badge]

Twice Reply offering Knowledge Transfer Services based on AFRD

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Digitization, Innovation, Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, Transformation, UniversityLeave a comment

Twice Reply, Reply’s digital consulting firm, is now offering Knowledge Transfer services based on the AFRD-Framework® which I introduced to a wider audience a little while ago. The company has launched a dedicated website (currently, in German only) explaining the approach, its core process, bespoke tools – and benefits: Wissenstransfer mit AFRD.

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Explore how fast-moving companies can prepare for a knowledge-friendly culture – the foundation to survival in the Knowledge Age. [poet-badge]

Columbus Knowledge Transfer: Understanding Knowledge as Units

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Knowledge TransferLeave a comment

The Horizon Columbus 2020 project, funded by the EU, addressed knowledge transfer (KT) issues related to marine and maritime research. Columbus was aimed at using KT to unlock the potential of coastlines and seas in Europe.

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(Credit: Mikhail Varentsov, Shutterstock)

Specifically, the following two results of the project are hugely interesting and confirm key findings of the AFRD-Framework® which I published a little while ago:

  • Within Columbus, complex knowledge (i.e. huge amounts of data and information) from research studies were broken into “knowledge units” to manage them in a more efficient way – this is like breaking a big problem into small ones to tackle those one by one in a coordinated manner. The underlying assumption within AFRD is that knowledge can be managed like a project: complex knowledge should be broken into its components (data and information) first; then those can be prioritised and knowledge can be transferred in iterations, step by step. Here, Columbus and AFRD reveal some interesting similarities;

 

  • Building a cohort of KT specialists was key to achieving KT within Columbus. This confirms the underlying assumption of the AFRD-Framework® which is about focussed teamwork to accelerate knowledge sharing as a first step – and then initiating iterations of prioritised KT sessions.

Columbus is a good study and certainly worth a read. [poet-badge]

Learning together: Reply Group and ESCP Europe

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Knowledge, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, Transformation, UniversityLeave a comment

I felt honoured to contribute to the educational Management Programme of Reply Group and ESCP Europe Business School. I was impressed with the great group of gifted consultants in a fantastic room at Reply’s new premises in Westminster.

(Credits: Jennifer Diamant Foulon)

Thanks specifically to Jennifer Diamant Foulon from ESCP for having me.

We shared knowledge by working as a team, and I believe we kicked off an interesting Knowledge Transfer process on sales and negotiation skills within complex and demanding customers. Very happy to support the team, going forward.

The recently published AFRD-Framework® will – by the way – shortly be communicated within Reply to help achieve excellence in Knowledge Transfer. I will keep you updated.[poet-badge]

Knowledge Transfer: Farmers learn best from each other

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, TransformationLeave a comment

In this interesting arcticle, Andrew Doyle, Ireland’s State Minister for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, comments on Knowledge Transfer (KT) in the farming industry: “As a farmer myself, I know that farmers learn best from each other. This is why our Knowledge Transfer programme is based on peer support and collaborative learning, facilitated by experts in that area.” I could not agree more. Doyle talks about some key principles of KT which are core to the AFRD-Framework® I have published, shortly. The Minister’s view inspires me to start a KT research project within the farming industry. Already looking into this …

5 Ways to end Bickering and ensure Knowledge Transfer

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Knowledge, Knowledge Transfer, TransformationLeave a comment

In this readable article, Steve Trautman states that “structure and clarity must be baked into the knowledge transfer process” – I could not agree more. This is exactly what the AFRD-Framework® which I introduced to a wider audience some days back is about. Trautman’s piece is a nice read and refers to some real-life experiences.

Meemim Retires its Free Knowledge Management Platform for Business Users

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Innovation, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, UniversityLeave a comment

Meemin Knowledge Management platform discontinued …

This is sad news, revealing – once again – the following: Knowledge Management (even more so Knowledge Transfer) is not about the latest, hottest or most convenient software or platform. KM and KT are complex, comprising a number of factors (potentially) contributing to successful outcomes. We need to start thinking about KM and KT as ecosystems. I will elaborate on this in future publications.

The AFRD-Framework®  which I have just published (see also my previous blog post) hints at the ecosystem idea. The AFRD booklet will be available on download platforms, shortly.

Introducing: AFRD. Working agily in KT

On By Volker GlaeserIn AFRD Process, Innovation, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Transfer, Transformation, University7 Comments

I am happy to announce the introduction of the AFRD-Framework® to a wider community. AFRD (Aggregating, Featuring, Reviewing, Doing) represents a results-oriented process and a new way of working agily to achieve knowledge transfer (KT) in knowledge intensive environments, specifically in knowledge intensive firms (KIFs).

 

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The AFRD-Framework®

AFRD FRAMEWORK.png© Volker Glaeser (2017)

 

AFRD has come a long way, has been challenged and questioned and – at the same time – has had numerous supporters, specifically Dr. Ivana Adamson (University of Gloucestershire) and Dr. Doris Burger (Danube University, Krems) – both have provided enormously helpful feedback on the architecture of AFRD.

The AFRD-journey actually commenced back in 2010, when I was pursuing new ways of achieving KT within fast-moving start-up companies. First efforts failed, and the approach was further elaborated over the years to follow.

The original hardcopy has just been delivered to the university of Gloucestershire, and a paperback (to be ordered on a number of online platforms) will be published, shortly.

Let’s create a new era of working agily in KT, together.