Supplementary Report to the Commission Board 1st May 2003
Report On the Potential use of Knowledge Management Processes in the
Commission
PURPOSE OF REPORT
To outline the potential use of Knowledge Management processes within the day-to-day operational practices of the Commission that will provide the Commission with opportunities for access to, and use of, information. The attached briefing note will briefly outline what is meant by Knowledge management and will give simple example on how knowledge management processes could benefit the work of the Commission and enable empowerment at appropriate levels of work.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Commission Board note the content of the attached Report on the Potential Use of Knowledge Management Processes in the Commission
PRESENTING DIRECTOR TO THE BOARD
Malcolm Johnson, Programme Manager
ORIGINATING AUTHOR
David Orchard, Interim IM&T Director
10th March 2003
BRIEFING NOTE FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES
Knowledge Management has two key parts:
1. Firstly, it is about recording and organising information that is relevant to a wider group than just those who initially are in possession of it, in such a way that it is easily accessed by others.
2. Secondly, it is about holding information in such a way that anyone with additional relevant information can add, and share, their experience.
The role of the CPPIH is to assist PPI Forums give a voice in local health decision making and taking public concerns back to government. In the first instance there will be one PPI Forum for every Primary Care Trust and NHS Trust in England – giving a total of 571.
Across the Forums there will be a wide range of different experiences, as each one will represent the particular make up of the area that it is operating in. However, it is also true that in a considerable number of instances there will be many common experiences.
Knowledge Management - especially based around the internet – enables geographically separated groups to share a wide range of information and experiences over a limitless range of issues.
It will be key to ensuring best practice and experiences relevant to all are shared quickly and effectively; it allows for the easy identification of issues of growing concern to be identified which, without the links provided by Knowledge Management, might, at first glance, appear to be unrelated and unconnected; and it will give the evidence to support arguments for change regional and national levels – it will also enable more effective pressure to be applied earlier.
The sharing of information does not just enable the public and those representing the public to have a stronger, more credible voice going towards the centre. Knowledge Management expands access to information to individuals and groups which otherwise would not be able to make fully informed decisions.
Recent research shows that in total some 28.6 million (62% of the population) have now used the internet and 46% of households have internet access. Virtually all schools are now ‘wired up’ and almost 95% of businesses are online*. Knowledge Management is not the only way CPPIH will be providing information out to the public. Equally it would not be responsible to ignore the contribution towards inclusiveness that it can make.
The system can support different individual needs be they specific languages or specific kinds of display that are easier to read. It will also support the printing of information and its conversion into Braille and other formats.
CPPIH needs to be driven by people in local communities as this is where effects on health can be detected and where improvements can be made. The Knowledge Management system is built to provide an environment is built to provide an environment where this can happen effectively through providing processes and structure which help to organise information, where that information is provided by local PPI Forum members in a fully empowered way.
Some examples are:
- PPI Forum members (and LNPs) can contribute directly, for example entering discussions and submitting documents. This is not vetted or edited other than to make sure that nothing illegal or abusive is included.
- Individuals can define their own areas of interest. The system will make sure they are kept up to date on these, for example informing then when new information is added.
- Suggestions will be actively encouraged on how the system should be continuously improved
- The development of the system itself will actively involve people who will make use of it. This is important not just at the beginning but in subsequent years as LNP and PPI Forum needs develop through operational experience.
* Figures provided by Office on e-Envoy at the Cabinet Office
Version 1 – 30 April 2003