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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
In this section:
Information Glut Calls for New Systems to Navigate
Knowledge
Information Glut Calls for New Systems to Navigate Knowledge
When Susan Wallace joined USAID’s Center for Development
Information and Evaluation (CDIE) two years ago, she was surprised
by the amount and range of information the Agency collected.
She was also frustrated at times by how difficult it could
be to find that information when needed.
She concluded that USAID needed a one-stop knowledge shop
so all employees could locate information more easily.
Two months later, Wallace, chief of CDIE’s Development
Information Division, was tapped to lead a group that had
already begun efforts to improve access to USAID’s institutional
knowledge. The Knowledge for Development (KfD) Subcommittee,
part of USAID’s Business Transformation Executive Committee,
guides efforts to improve how the Agency does its work.
KfD is modeled after principles of knowledge management
that have changed how information is collected, analyzed,
and disseminated in the U.S. private sector.
KfD is developing methods and tools to support USAID’s
staff as it conducts business. For example, the Office of
Human Resources requested an Expertise Locator System (ELS)
to identify skills, abilities, and know-how of Agency staff,
based on assignments, experience, skills, and interests. When
starting a project or activity, checking the ELS could provide
access to experience that would otherwise have to be relearned.
KfD provides training and facilitation on a proven knowledge-sharing
tool: the After Action Review (AAR). As a means to share the
perspective of all participants, the AAR occurs promptly after
an event and offers a forum to identify areas for improvement
and actions that worked well and should be continued.
“People are amazed by how easy and powerful the AAR
can be,” said CDIE staffer Judy Light, the primary AAR
facilitator/trainer. “I’ve conducted AARs for everything
from mission management assessments for the Bureau for Policy
and Program Coordination to end-of-year activities for the
Office of Acquisition and Assistance.”
Most recently, the Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture,
and Trade requested an AAR after an emergency medical situation
arose inside the Reagan Building. Light said: “I’m
pleased that this AAR led to clarifications of procedures
at the Agency level that could literally save someone’s
life.”
KfD is working with the Bureau for Management to develop
a USAID portal to provide a secure location for collaboration
with contractors, host governments, retirees, other U.S. government
agencies, and other USAID employees. It will also support
community websites, email groups, and instant messaging, and
will provide the means to review and update documents, presentations,
and working papers. The only requirement is access to the
internet. A pilot portal activity will begin this summer.
“In future, employees will be able to learn more about
KfD to improve business processes and provide better access
to information,” observed Wallace.
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