The IDeA plays a major role in knowledge management across local government: capturing and sharing knowledge across the sector.

Collaborative environments allow users to share, network and develop practice regardless of their physical locations or geographical boundaries.

The Community of Practice virtual collaboration environment will encourage the effective flow of knowledge across local government and lead to sustainable self-development.

What do we mean by a community of practice?

Usually, it is a network of individuals who share a specific area of knowledge. Within that area of knowledge they have common interests, but also sometimes common problems.

In a CoP people come together to explore ways of working and to identify common solutions. They also share good practice and ideas – enhancing the knowledge and expertise of the community.

CoPs aren’t new – people have always found others whose experiences and interests are like their own. Groups which meet on a regular basis to discuss common interests are essentially CoPs and often these emerge naturally, grow organically and self-organise.

A good CoP connects people and encourages new ideas and strategies to be developed and shared.

This results in faster problem-solving, less duplicated effort and extensive access to expertise.