Big Book O' Wisdom with John Seiffer

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to unlock the wisdom and experience of your team by creating a "Book of Wisdom." This process will help make valuable insights accessible to everyone in your organization, ensuring that knowledge is shared and utilized effectively. By following the steps outlined below, you can create a structured platform for capturing and storing this wisdom.

Step 1: Understand the Need for a Book of Wisdom

• Recognize that wisdom is often locked in individuals' minds, making it inaccessible to others.
• Identify the benefits of capturing this wisdom:
  • Improved decision-making
  • Enhanced collaboration
  • Increased efficiency in problem-solving

Step 2: Capture Wisdom Effectively

• Gather information from team members through various methods:
  • Interviews
  • Surveys
  • Workshops
• Encourage sharing of experiences, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Use tools like document templates or guided questions to facilitate the extraction of knowledge.

Step 3: Establish Rules for Your Platform

• Create guidelines to ensure consistency and clarity in the captured content:
  • Define the structure of the documents (e.g., sections for context, challenges, solutions).
  • Set standards for language and tone to maintain a professional approach.
  • Determine who has access to contribute and edit content.

Step 4: Utilize the Power of Search

• Implement a robust search function in your knowledge platform:
  • Make it easy for users to find relevant information quickly.
  • Use tagging and categorization to improve searchability.
  • Regularly update and refine search parameters based on user feedback.

Step 5: Store Wisdom in a Knowledge Management System

• Choose an appropriate platform for storing the captured wisdom:
  • Consider using a Business Process System (BPS) for structured data storage.
  • Evaluate options between basic document storage and more advanced BPS features.
• Ensure the system is user-friendly and accessible to all team members.

Step 6: Get Started with Your Book of Wisdom

• Begin the process by:
  • Assigning a project lead or team to oversee the initiative.
  • Setting a timeline for capturing and organizing the initial batch of wisdom.
  • Communicating the purpose and benefits to the entire organization to encourage participation.

Conclusion

Creating a Book of Wisdom is a valuable endeavor that requires structured planning and execution. By understanding the need for shared knowledge, capturing insights effectively, and utilizing a suitable platform, you can enhance your organization's collective intelligence. Start by engaging your team and establishing guidelines, and soon you'll have a rich resource that can benefit everyone in your company.