Networks, Complexity, and Relatedness

Networks, Complexity, and Relatedness
Inquiry and learning into social networks, organizational network analysis, and the relationships among people and systems in complex organizations and networks.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Emergent Learning and AARs : Connecting Marilyn Darling

I was delighted to hear that the current issue of Harvard Business Review contains a long-awaited article by Marilyn Darling, Charles Parry, and Joseph Moore, Learning in the Thick of It. It gives an insightful view of the AAR (After Action Review) process as it is practiced by the US Army's National Training Center. Marilyn and her colleagues at Signet Consulting have been developing the Emergent Learning practice that brings the discipline to businesses. The core of the process is to elicit learnings from an experience that can be immediately applied in the next round of activities.

Nortel Networks was an early adopter of the Emergent Learning practice -- that is where I first met and worked with Marilyn. We trained over 20 people in the method and used it as a core part of our knowledge management program. It's one of those methods that, once learned, becomes ingrained in your thought and learning processes. The significant success factors, highlighted in the conclusion of the article, are particularly worth repeating here:

1) Lessons must first and foremost benefit the team that extracts them.
2) The AAR process must start at the beginning of the activity.
3) Lessons must link explicitly to future actions.
4) Leaders must hold everyone, especially themselves, accountable for action.

I also consider a method like this as an essential tool in the toolkit for building networked organizations. Why? Because the process requires conversation, honest dialogue and collaboration. People who use methods like this learn to know and trust each other, forging solid network bonds.

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Friday, July 08, 2005

The Social Network Toolkit : Network Analysis and Net Work

Copies of my 100-page "Report" on understanding and leveraging networks in organizations has finally reached print! I completed this Report for the Ark Group last fall and hoped to see it much sooner than now, but at last it is finished and available. I was pleased with it when I finished it, and still think it is a good bit of work. I've put into it:

The broad perspective of networks, ways in which they are important to organizations,
A tutorial on network patterns and structures (for the lay person) and how they provide clues to what is happening in organizations and networks
Examples and cases of using network analysis to solve specific business problems
Review of the methods and tools that can be used in response to the diagnosis of a network -- interventions -- including insights into how various forms of social software can be used
Summary of the overall methodology for network analysis and guidelines for "selling" ONA projects to management

In short, it's kind of the complete representation of my view and understanding of the world of people networks and the tools to understand and leverage them. I can't wait to find out how it is used and received.

The format is that of an analyst-style report, so it's a bit pricey (345 pounds UK), but I think it's worth it. I'll post a link to the site for ordering when it comes up, meanwhile you can send mail to Adam Scrimshire for details.

I used much of the content and style of the report in developing the 2-day MasterClass that I am giving for the Ark Group. I've recently heard from most of the attendees of the March MasterClass in London; all have started projects and are building competencies either individually or in their companies in ONA. My next MasterClass will be in Chicago, October 6-7.

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patti anklam. How to make networks work.

Find me person-to-person !

KMWorld 2008 September 23-25, San Jose, CA. I'll be doing a session on Net Work and moderating a day with KM thought leaders.

links: network analysis

My ONA Page

Rob Cross
Bruce Hoppe
Valdis Krebs
INSNA
ONA-prac. The online community for learners and practitioners in the emerging field of Organizational Network Analysis.

links: blogroll

21st Century Organization
Anecdote
Bill Ives
Dave Snowden
David Gurteen
Denham Grey
Jack Vinson
Patrick Lambe
Ross Dawson