Federal KM Initiative Committee Charter & Operating Plan (Draft)\
Version 6, 4 February, 2009

Neil Olonoff\
Office (703) 614-5058\
Home (703) 440-8982\
Mobile (703) 283-4157\
Email <Olonoff@gmail.com>

Federal KM Initiative Committee Charter & Operating Plan (Draft)\
Version 6, 4 February, 2009

Contents

[Overview 3](#overview)

[Action Group Activities 3](#action-group-activities)

[Communications 3](#communications)

[Planning for Success 3](#planning-for-success)

[Action Groups (Sub-Committees) 3](#action-groups-sub-committees)

[Communications Action Group 3](#communications-action-group)

[Stakeholder & Audience Analysis 4](#stakeholder-audience-analysis)

[Membership Recruiting 4](#membership-recruiting)

[Craft a Communications Package 4](#communications-package)

[Networking with Stakeholders 4](#stakeholder-networking)

[Carry Out an Awareness Campaign 4](#awareness-campaign)

[Meet with Decision-makers 4](#decision-maker-meetings)

[Federal KM Center Action Group 4](#federal-km-center-action-group)

[Change Management Action Group 5](#change-management-action-group)

[KM Policy & Standards Action Group
5](#km-policy-standards-action-group)

[KM Practices Action Group 5](#km-practices-action-group)

[Knowledge Retention Action Group 5](#knowledge-retention-action-group)

[Web 2.0, Social Computing and Generation Y Action Group
6](#web-2.0-social-computing-and-generation-y-action-group)

[KM Competencies & Learning Action Group
6](#km-competencies-learning-action-group)

[Web Presence and Demonstration Site Action Group
6](#web-presence-and-demonstration-site-action-group)

[Action Group Summary 6](#_Toc221520863)

Federal KM Initiative Committee Charter & Operating Plan (Draft)\
Version 6, 4 February, 2009

Overview
========

This document is an organization charter and implementation plan for the
Federal Knowledge Management Initiative Committee, an organization
within the Federal Knowledge Management Working Group.

The Committee has the primary goal of convincing Federal decision-makers
to create a formal Knowledge Management program in the Federal
government. The Committee is composed of several Action Groups, each
with an important role.

The Initiative calls for the creation of a Federal KM Center, Knowledge
Management policy and standards, creation of a Federal CKO position, and
several other related goals. The entire plan is detailed in a separate
document, the *Federal KM Initiative Roadmap*.

Secondary goals of the Committee include:

-   Promote awareness of -- and solidify Federal support for \-- the
    Federal KM Working Group and other KM oriented organizations that
    are involved in this effort

-   Promote awareness of the importance and benefits of knowledge
    management and knowledge-sharing in government

-   Planning and initial design of some of the components of the Federal
    KM Initiative Action Plan

Action Group Activities 
=======================

Activities focus on two areas:

Communications 
--------------

> This Action Group will focus *o*n communicating and marketing the
> Federal KM Initiative. This activity has several stages and many
> components, which are detailed below, under Communications Action
> Group.

Planning for Success 
--------------------

> Eight (8) additional Action Groups will focus on Knowledge Management
> topics that relate to the Initiative. These groups will contribute to
> the credibility of the Federal KM Working Group as an authoritative
> advisor to government on KM topics. In addition, once the Initiative
> has been successfully launched, it will benefit from professional
> pre-planning and design. The work of each of these Action Groups is
> detailed below under each Action Group heading. Each Action Group will
> draft a brief document of approximately 3-10 pages summarizing its
> findings and activities. These documents will be joined to the Roadmap
> to form a comprehensive Initiative proposal.

Action Groups (Sub-Committees) 
==============================

Communications Action Group
---------------------------

The Communications Action Group has the task of marketing and
communicating the Initiative to government decision makers, as well as
the general public. In addition there are a number of related activities
this group will undertake.

### Stakeholder & Audience Analysis

Who are the stakeholder groups -- the audience \-- for the Committee's
message? What are their main concerns? In crafting a tailored message
for each of these groups, we will speak more effectively and
convincingly.

### Membership Recruiting 

The Communications Action Group will participate in membership
recruiting activities, both on behalf of the Committee and the larger
KMWG group.

### Communications Package 

Develop a high quality communications package to put across the Federal
KM Initiative story. The "package" will include a compelling open
letter, a comprehensive "blueprint" strategy document (the Roadmap),
press releases, backgrounder documents, a web presence, and more. It is
hoped that we can recruit among our stakeholders some experienced
professional communicators who will provide support for this activity.

### Stakeholder Networking

A project like this requires many influential proponents. We propose
that the Committee utilize the full strength of its social network to
reach out to all interested stakeholders in government, institutional
and private sector groups. Key types include CKOs, especially those in
Government, CEOs of all types and KM theorists and thought leaders.

### Awareness Campaign

The centerpiece of the communications activities is an awareness
campaign targeting government decision makers. Our goal is a positive,
proactive response to the proposal.

### Decision Maker Meetings

When appropriate, Committee leads will meet with Federal decision-makers
to present our case.

Federal KM Center Action Group
------------------------------

In order to provide a consistent, coordinated effort towards the goal of
instilling knowledge management in government, the Initiative Roadmap
recommends the creation of a "Federal Knowledge Management Center."
Those involved in planning the Federal KM Center will research and
develop a document that answers a number of questions:

-   What is the optimal sponsor or parent organization of a Federal KM
    Center?

-   How many personnel should it employ, and in what capacities?

-   What might be the appropriate sources of funding?

-   What level of funding is initially desirable?

The answers to these questions will support the ability of the Committee
to pitch its story effectively.

Change Management Action Group
------------------------------

The Initiative Roadmap highlights the all-important "people part" of
knowledge management, and notes that it is largely about attitude and
culture. It calls out several dimensions of culture change, including:
Leadership Support, Explicit Policy, Proactive Support and Consultation,
Proactive Support for KM Competency Training and Building Awareness.
This group will be involved in fleshing out initial plans to support
cultural change management on a Federal Government wide basis to support
greater knowledge sharing. The Action Group will produce a brief
document detailing its findings and plans. It may explore questions
like:

-   What are essential aspects of a knowledge sharing and KM awareness
    campaign?

-   What are the obstacles to knowledge sharing, and how may they be
    overcome?

KM Policy & Standards Action Group 
----------------------------------

The Initiative Roadmap calls for uniform Knowledge Management Policies
and Standards to be implemented across the Federal Government. These
policies will define under what circumstances, with whom, and how
Federal workers should share knowledge. The policy should also
incorporate functional (descriptive) standards for several aspects of
knowledge management implementation.

For example, Knowledge Management learning and competency standards
should be set and made part of the career roadmap for Federal workers so
that all Federal workers become highly competent knowledge workers.
Standards should set expectations for agencies around what types of
knowledge management programs should be set in place.

It would be useful for the Action Group to investigate the nature,
scope, and limits of KM policy and standards. Are there existing
standards, and what have been the results of their implementation?

The Action Group will produce a document that summarizes its findings
and contains recommendations for Federal KM Policies and Standards.

KM Practices Action Group
-------------------------

Knowledge Management comprises a large and diverse toolset of practices
allowing great variation in implementations. Certainly different
agencies may adopt tailored approaches due to their specific areas of
interest and work. But why should all agencies reinvent the wheel,
developing their own idiosyncratic approaches in isolation? For reasons
of economy and effectiveness, there is value in a library of Best
Practices. Accordingly, the Federal KM Center will collect, develop,
publish and disseminate information on effective KM practices
specifically geared to Federal Government.

The Action Group can profitably begin a library of KM practices, and
design a methodology for collection and dissemination of such practices.

Knowledge Retention Action Group 
--------------------------------

Knowledge Retention programs comprise a subset of the practices toolset.
Knowledge retention is the collection of practices and tools aimed at
offsetting the "brain drain" caused by the retirement of the Baby Boom
generation. The Action Group can provide useful support in gathering
lessons learned and designing a methodology and platform for collection
and dissemination of such practices.

Web 2.0, Social Computing and Generation Y Action Group
-------------------------------------------------------

The array of tools and resources known as Web 2.0 or Social Computing
are important to knowledge management, and also represent a critical
path to acceptance by "Generation Y" employees. The Federal government
must attract Generation Y (born approximately in the 1978-2000 time
period) employees, and this will require some culture change. The Action
Group will produce recommendations for effective communications,
recruiting and management for Generation Y.

KM Competencies & Learning Action Group 
---------------------------------------

Knowledge Management and knowledge work require skills that anyone can
learn. These skills and competencies provide enhanced efficiency, as
well as supporting knowledge sharing. Competence in KM skills also
brings deeper understanding and appreciation of the value of knowledge
sharing, which in turn supports culture change. The Action Group will
craft a document to accompany the Roadmap, addressing the basic needs of
Federal Knowledge Workers for KM skills and competencies.

Web Presence and Demonstration Site Action Group 
------------------------------------------------

The Roadmap calls for a comprehensive web site to support the activities
of the planned Federal KM Center. The web site will be an awareness
medium and a distribution point for content. In addition it will provide
a demonstration site for web services useful to KM, such as blogs,
wikis, and social networks. The Action Group will work to plan and
possibly create a prototype of this site. In addition, this Action Group
is an opportunity for vendors to provide information and demonstrations
on KM related products available to the Federal Government.

Action Group Summary
====================

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Action Group Name**               **Key Objective(s)**                    **Personnel Interests**                        **Co-chair & Member Names**
  ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
  Communications                      Stakeholder and Audience Analysis\      Writers, social butterflies, communicators     
                                      Membership Recruiting\                                                                 
                                      Communications Package\                                                                
                                      Stakeholder Networking\                                                                
                                      Awareness Campaign\                                                                    
                                      Decision Maker Meetings                                                                

  Federal KM Center                   Budget and personnel planning           Federal employees, budget analysts, managers   

  Change Management                   Change management requirements plan     Organizational development specialists,        

  KM Policy & Standards               Draft KM policies and standards         Policy wonks                                   

  KM Practices                        KM practices collection                 KM experts and consultants                     

  Knowledge Retention                 Knowledge retention plans                                                              

  Web 2.0, Social Computing & Gen Y                                           Web 2.0 enthusiasts, Gen Y people              

  KM Competencies and Learning        KM training and requirements planning   Trainers, educators                            

  Web Presence & Demonstration Site                                           Web designers, vendors, tech gurus             
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information on the Federal KM Initiative:

Neil Olonoff, Committee Chair\
Office (703) 614-5058\
Mobile (703) 283-4157\
Email <olonoff@gmail.com>