Tools for knowledge and learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations

This tool kit presents entry points and references to the wide range of tools and methods that have been used to facilitate improved knowledge and learning in the development and humanitarian sectors.

It is aimed people working in "donor agencies, multilaterals, NGOs, research institutes, and the plethora of institutions based in the South, including national governments, regional organisations, and indigenous NGOs." (Ramalingam, 2006, p.2)

The resource presents 30 tools and techniques, divided into five categories: Strategy Development; Management Techniques; Collaboration Mechanisms; Knowledge Sharing and Learning Processes; and Knowledge Capture and Storage.

Contents

Strategy Development 9

• 1. The Five Competencies Framework 10
• 2. Knowledge Audits 13
• 3. Social Network Analysis 15
• 4. Most Significant Change (MSC) 17
• 5. Outcome Mapping 20
• 6. Scenario Testing and Visioning 22

Management Techniques 27

• 7. The SECI Approach 28
• 8. Blame vs Gain Behaviours 30
• 9. Force Field Analysis 32
• 10. Activity-based Knowledge Mapping 34
• 11. Structured Innovation 37
• 12. Reframing Matrix 39

Collaboration Mechanisms 41

• 13. Teams: Virtual and Face-to-Face 42
• 14. Communities of Practice 44
• 15. Action Learning Sets 48
• 16. Six Thinking Hats 50
• 17. Mind Maps 52
• 18. Social Technologies 55

Knowledge Sharing and Learning 57

• 19. Stories 58
• 20. Peer Assists 60
• 21. Challenge Sessions 62
• 22. After Action Reviews and Retrospects 64
• 23. Intranet Strategies 67
• 24. Email Guidelines 70

Capturing and Storing Knowledge 73

• 25. Taxonomies for Documents and Folders 74
• 26. Exit Interviews 76
• 27. How To Guides 78
• 28. Staff Profile Pages 80
• 29. Blogs 82
• 30. Shared Network Drives