The Knowledge Management Center in ADB

Olivier Serrat
2011

The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this presentation and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this presentation do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

Knowledge Management Agenda

In 2004, Knowledge Management in ADB signaled ADB's intention to become a learning organization.
The framework aims to (i) increase assimilation and dissemination of relevant, high-quality knowledge to developing member countries and other stakeholders, and (ii) enhance learning within ADB. The long-term strategic framework for 2008-2020 (Strategy 2020) serves as ADB's corporate-wide planning document and gives ADB a more relevant and innovative role in shaping the Asia-Pacific region's future.

Knowledge Management Agenda

Enhancing Knowledge Management under Strategy 2020: Action Plan for 2009-2011 is a comprehensive set of actions/outputs designed to ensure that ADB's knowledge continues to expand, is practical and usable to its staff and developing member countries, and remains of the highest quality.
The Knowledge Management Results Framework operationalizes the action plan and monitors its implementation. It details delivered actions/outputs.

Knowledge Management Agenda

Sharpening the Knowledge Focus in ADB's Operations (Add value at regional, country, and project levels)

Empowering the Communities of Practice (Collaborate for knowledge generation and sharing)

Strengthening External Knowledge Partnerships (Align and leverage external knowledge)

Further Enhancing Staff Learning and Skills Development (Enhance opportunities for staff to learn)

The Knowledge Management Center

The Knowledge Management Center was established in June 2004 pursuant to the adoption of ADB's Knowledge Management Framework. It is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all knowledge initiatives in ADB.
From July 2009 to July 2011, the Center delivered Enhancing Knowledge Management under Strategy 2020: Plan of Action (2009-2011) across four strategic thrusts: Sharpening the knowledge focus in ADB's operations.

Empowering the communities of practice.

Strengthening external knowledge partnerships. Further enhancing staff learning and skills development.

The Center routinely updated the Knowledge Management Results Framework to monitor progress under the action plan, integrate lessons into decisions, and report on performance.

Key Working Arrangements

PRESIDENT MANAGING DIRECTOR GENERAL

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK INSTITUTE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS

VICE-PRESIDENT (Knowledge
Management and Sustainable Development) REGIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Knowledge Management Center

VICE-PRESIDENT (Finance
and Administration)

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Information Resources and Services Unit BUDGET, PERSONNEL, AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT/ BPDB Learning and Development

Offices and Departments

Knowledge Management Coordinators

ECONOMICS AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICE OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

Communities of Practice

Staff Profiles
A Principal Knowledge Management Specialist is the focal point for implementing and monitoring the progress of ADB's knowledge management framework, and oversees the development and delivery of ADB's knowledge management agenda. A Knowledge Management Officer writes knowledge products on learning and innovation; designs and manages knowledge sharing and collaboration tools; and promotes the Knowledge Management Center's knowledge products. A Knowledge Management Analyst manages IT solutions to facilitate knowledge management and learning in ADB. A Senior Knowledge Management Assistant delivers in-house learning events, manages outreach and promotional activities, and supports the activities of ADBhosted communities of practice and regional knowledge hubs. A Knowledge Management Assistant manages e-mail alerts and databases of contacts and provides adequate and timely support to the Knowledge Management Center's projects and activities.

Key Result Areas

Clarifying knowledge management and learning strategies: unremitting improvement is inherent to any knowledge strategy. Sharpening the knowledge focus in ADB's operations: knowledge enriches financing operations and, in combination with ADB's convening power, spurs development effectiveness. Empowering communities of practice: communities of practice keep know-how of a domain alive by sharing what they know, building on that, and adapting knowledge to specific sector and thematic applications.

Strengthening external knowledge partnerships: insights from development experience can be shared and enriched by the knowledge of others.
Further enhancing staff learning and skills development: engaging all staff in knowledge management and learning is crucial to generating and sharing knowledge. Promoting knowledge management and learning: committing to change requires that personal connections should intensify from simple awareness to owning a desired future state.

Knowledge Management Results Framework

Planning Tools
The Work Program and Budget Framework consolidates the three-year work plans of offices and departments to inform ADB's annual administrative budget. It comprises portfolio information, non-staff related expenditures, strategic directions in operations and knowledge services, and detailed work plans.
ADB's Annual Administrative Budget is reviewed by the Budget Review Committee and submitted to the Board. The Terms of Reference for Consultants define the objective and scope of services, expected outcome, outputs, inputs, and experience required for engagement. This information is used as the basis for the Consultants Performance Review.

Reporting Systems
The Development Effectiveness Review is an annual report of ADB's Management that assesses the organization's progress in implementing Strategy 2020, its long-term strategic framework.
The review covers all operations financed by ADB's ordinary capital resources and the Asian Development Fund, ADB's concessional lending window. It presents emerging trends and identifies actions for improving corporate performance.

Reporting Systems
The Annual Report of the Board of Directors to the Board of Governors reviews ADB's operations, projects, internal administration, financial management, and contains a separate report on the Special Funds of ADB. The report contains chapters on delivering an effective organization, sector and thematic highlights, financing operations, regional operations, nonsovereign operations, generating and sharing knowledge, finance and administration, financial statements and statistical annexes, and opinions of the independent auditors.
The Regional and Sustainable Development Department's Annual Report elucidates the key accomplishments of units and divisions in specific sectors, cross-cutting themes, knowledge products and services, and technical assistance.

Feedback Mechanisms
Survey Tools gauge staff perceptions on the progress of key initiatives of ADB (e.g., webpages on knowledge management and learning, learning for change surveys, Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises surveys, surveys of ADB-hosted communities of practice, etc.). The annual Performance Review of staff specifies individual accomplishments against work plans, invites confirmation thereof, and provides an opportunity for assessing core and managerial competencies.

The Experiential Learning Cycle

The Knowledge Management and Learning Practice

Practice

Uptake Knowledge

Experien ce

Dissemination

Synthesis and Innovation

Results-Driven Management Model

Use

Own

Future State

Act

Support

Understand

Hear

Current State

Strong Personal Connection Intensifies

Knowledge Management Center

Olivier Serrat
Principal Knowledge Management Specialist Knowledge Management Center Regional and Sustainable Development Department Asian Development Bank
knowledge@adb.org www.adb.org/knowledge-management www.facebook.com/adbknowledgesolutions www.scribd.com/knowledge_solutions www.twitter.com/adbknowledge