Transcript The Role of Statistics in Organisational Knowledge

The Role of Statistics in
Organisational Knowledge
Management
What do we mean by
knowledge management?
A definition

“Knowledge management is applying the collective
knowledge and abilities of the entire work force to
achieve specific organizational objectives.”
--Knowledge Management Working Group of the Federal
Chief Information Officers Council (US 2001)
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Not simply data and information management or
technological tools and processes
The promise

“If we only knew what we know, we would be 30
percent more productive.”
-- Lewis Platt, CEO Hewlett-Packard (1992-1999)
Why the focus on KM at FaCS?
Complexity of issues requires drawing
information selectively from an
expanded range of sources
A line of policy enquiry through
disparate sources
Producing a tightly crafted story
Knowledge base = information + skills,
judgement and experience
The Changing Nature of
Information Needs
Types of inquiry
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Interaction of many factors (social, behavioural,
economic)
Pathways, transitions (longitudinal analysis)
Types of Information
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Contextual
 Basic background details and characteristics
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Targeted
 Focused on specific policy questions
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Value-added
 Modelling, statistical analysis
FaCS Knowledge Model
Minister
Information Sources
Research community
Data providers
Centrelink
NGOs
Customers
Community
Press
International
Policy
Development and Advice
Program
Delivery
Knowledge
Networks
Strategic
Partnerships
Branches
Evaluations
Data Strategies and Services Section, 2002
KM - Where is FaCS at?
Knowledge and Information Committee
ISB – Information solutions and tools, library,
INAs
Fact Sheets – distilling killer points
Strategic Plan – knowledge investment and
management
Research and Evaluation Committee –
research in a knowledge capability context
Bringing it all together in a knowledge
framework
FaCS Knowledge Framework
(draft)
FaCS Outcomes
policy opportunities/problems 
policy questions 
info management needs 
resource mobilising 
HR needs 
raison d’être 
Evidence right products
Based Policy
Information
 right knowledge
Various Information
Systems
Organisational Design
Skills and Abilities
Organisational Culture
 right access
 right infrastructure
 right capacities
 right behaviours
Policy Strategies Section, 2002
Fact Sheets
A key tool in promoting policy ideas
Synthesing the key facts relating to
policy questions
Types
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Minister’s fact sheets
Regular fact sheet/newsletters
Knowledge framework information sheets
Knowledge Framework
Information Sheets
A process starts with an information audit
Summary of sources
Information sheets on target groups or
specific policy issues
Useful in identifying data gaps
A basis for research agenda and development
of strategic information partnerships
Information Needs Analysis
Identifying key sources of information
Understanding the nature of
information flows
Questionnaire of information usage in
the last 3 mths
Aim to improve information resources
and access for FaCS staff
How do stats fit in?
Statistics are a key knowledge product
Statistical sources are seen as one
among many information sources
Relatability of data becomes more
important
Development of indicators and
performance measures
Changing role for ABS?
Stats units / outposted officers
Become knowledge brokers in
knowledge market
Leadership role in data usage and
management
Networks assume greater importance as
importance of knowledge sharing
increases
Statistical Co-ordination
National Statistics Service
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agencies seeking to obtain greater
knowledge from their administrative
information resources
Information Development Plans (IDPs)

bringing together information needs across
sectors, jurisdictions and agencies
Discussion
Do you see similar trends in the
approach to knowledge in your
agencies?
Do these trends have implications for
the role of the ABS?
How do we promote the role of the
stats units in a KM context?
Issues/Lessons
Must gain high level support from the
start
Must be linked to corporate objectives
Cannot be bound by technical tools and
processes