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Development
Bank Of Southern Africa (DBSA). World Bank Visit, October
27-31, 2003
This article was published in Knowledge & Learning
News, Issue 13 -- produced by the Knowledge & Learning
Advisory Service
Background
From October 27-31, 2003, a delegation from the Development
Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) visited the World Bank. The
purpose of their visit was to engage with Bank colleagues
about our work in areas relevant to their broad knowledgement
management strategy, and also to share with Bank colleagues
the innovative thinking and work they're doing on knowledge
management.
The DBSA represents some 17 countries in southern Africa.
Their Knowledge Management (KM) program is very impressive
and has been going on for more than 5 years. They have a well
developed KM strategy, vision, implementation plan, opportunity
statement, institutional arrangements and annual progress
reports. Their KM strategy is based on the premise that, in
becoming a leading agent for socio-economic development, the
DBSA has to be a "learning and knowledge sharing organization".
Through learning, the DBSA is accumulating knowledge and deploying
it into products, services and processes. By sharing knowledge,
the organization is increasing internal synergy and enhancing
partnerships with is client, stakeholders and other external
role players.
DBSA Web
Site: http://www.dbsa.org
Delegation/CVs
The head of delegation was Dr. Snowy Khoza, Executive Manager
for Knowledge Management at the Bank. Dr. Khoza is responsible
for seven units: Policy, Development Information, Specialists,
Training, Human Resources, Monitoring and Evaluation, and
Employment Equality. Dr. Khoza was being accompanied by two
of her unit managers: Ms. Grace Rapholo, head of the Specialists
Unit; and Ms. Loyiso Pityana, head of the Human Resources
Unit.
CVs:
World
Bank Visit 27-31 Oct, 2003
Their visit was very well organized by the office of the Vice
President, External Affairs, Communications and United Nations
Affairs. During their visit the DBSA delegation met with a
wide range of WB staff: EXT, capacity enhancement, knowledge
sharing, HR, knowledge for development, EXT, partnerships,
Development Gateway, QAG, ESSD, QK etc.
Agenda
for DBSA Delegation
WBIGK Visit 30 Oct,
2003
Given their specific interest in Knowledge Management, the
World Bank Institute’s Knowledge and Learning Services
(WBIKL) hosted a session on Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge
for Development on Oct 30. The delegation also participated
in a K & L Learning Event: "Bringing a Knowledge
Management Strategy to Life." The speaker gave a lively
presentation and many lessons learned about developing a KM
program, which the delegation found quite useful.
Knowledge
& Learning Advisory Service Agenda for DBSA
Highlights/Follow-up
from the KS/K4D Meeting
Participants: The delegation and Bruno Laporte, Carl Dahlmann,
Ronald Kim, Juan Blazquez, Martha Pattillo Siv
Knowledge
for Development (K4D)
Carl gave an overview of the K4D process, with a focus on
a K assessment matrix, which has now been used in 122 countries.
It is also a catalyst to get groups/communities to work together.
The Bank can be a K broker, giving ideas how to improve development
strategies. The process can start with simple benchmarking,
with NGOs, civil society, government, mass communication/mass
media. His group can provide contacts in other countries who
have already been through the process.
Knowledge Sharing (KS)
The delegation noted a particular interest in CoPs and who/how
to capture lessons learned, and how to best disseminate and
make them accessible. They were also interested in incentives
for KM.
As a preamble, Knolwedge & Learning Advisory Service
(WBIKL) had provided links to the KS site, KS packets, etc.
Bruno gave a brief overview of Knowledge Sharing at the Bank
noting that the development of CoPs has been uneven, and that
management attention has not always been focussed. Some lessons
learned are that maintaining them requires active attention
from management and some funding. And CoPs and their products
and services must deliver some value added to core operations
and be accountable for this. They must focus on demand as
well as supply, and they need to generate and disseminate
at the point of action, noting that sometimes there are clogs
between supply and utilization. He gave some examples of good
CoPs: Ayuda Urbana, etc. He also noted that KM is never over--it's
a continuing process. Martha noted that the Bank's Advisory
Services/Help Desks can play an important role in the lessons
learned process.
Concerning incentives and positive signals for the KS/KM
process, Bruno noted that building this in to the staff evaluation
process has been useful, along with the development of profiles
for Knowledge staff. Also, access to certification, usually
through HR, can be helpful.
Ron spoke about the role of COPs in R & D and innovation,
noting WBI's focus on client CoPs. He pointed out that Mamphela
Rampele, WB Managing Director with responsibility for WBI,
is the Bank's main focal point for KM. He also spoke of groups
that could be very useful to the DBSA: Connectivity Africa
and Bellanet, and WBIKL will provide links. He mentioned the
possibility of a KM Forum, Fair and Course that may be organized
by WBIKL next spring, noting that there would be a focus on
CoPs, and with a first priority for past clients and clients
from developing countries.
Feedback and Follow-up
The delegation indicated that they were pleased with the discussion.
They invited any WB Knowledge staff coming to South Africa
to spend a day at DBSA; an informal seminar could be organized
to share K practices. We noted that one WBIGK staff is South
African, Lesley Shneier, and would be interested to visit
them on her next home leave. They also indicated that in future
they might like to invite WB KS staff to consult at DBSA
Specifc items that DBSA requested, and WBIKL is following
up
- CoP Survey
- KS profiles/job descriptions
- List of TG leaders
- Contact info for Connectivity Africa, Bellanet
- Contact list of KS professionals in Development Banks
- Info on possible Spring 2004 KS activities, K Forum,
KS course, etc
For
further information on the DBSA visit, contact the Knowledge
and Learning Advisory Service: Ksharing@worldbank.org
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