Managing Knowledge at the Asian Development Bank - Recent Initiatives

Table of Contents

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I. Introduction

II. Knowledge and Development

III. Managing Knowledge at the Asian Development Bank

Current Practice

Recent Initiatives

Challenges and Opportunities

Lessons From Experience Elsewhere

IV. Knowledge Management at the Asian Development Bank: The Framework

V. Benefits, Organizational And Resource Implications

VI. Conclusion

Appendixes

Knowledge Management : III. Managing Knowledge at the Asian Development Bank

B. Recent Initiatives

18. In recent years, ADB has taken a number of steps toward enhancing its capacity to process knowledge.

Box 3: Improving Access to Spatial Information-The Mapview Project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is developing a spatial database called Mapview to store maps and map-related resources and materials generated for ADB projects. Spatial information range from remote sensing to satellite imagery, and from topography maps to site photographs. With Mapview, DMC data can be seen on a map or from a spatial context. ADB staff can use the map library (capture), add new data (enrichment), post a new map (storage), and share the new map (dissemination). Creation of a single environment where people can store and share spatial maps will result in improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in designing projects.

19. Structural and procedural innovations. The 2002 reorganization created the Regional and Sustainable Development Department (RSDD), with a mandate to advance ADB's knowledge agenda internally and externally. A knowledge management committee was established to oversee and provide strategic guidance for ADB's knowledge activities.¹⁰ To promote information sharing on specific sector and thematic issues, and disseminate the information within ADB, it established 9 sector and 10 thematic committees, and 24 networks. In 2003, ADB created a new vice presidency for knowledge management to raise the profile of ADB's knowledge activities and improve management oversight.

20. Improved access to information. ADB has initiated several projects to improve information access and retrieval. These include (i) development of a new intranet Web page (or enterprise portal) to support easier access to a wide variety of ADB databases; (ii) development of knowledge management applications (KMApps) to support knowledge capturing, sharing, and dissemination by department, sector, and theme;¹¹ and (iii) development of a spatial database, called Mapview, to improve use of spatial information including economic, environmental, and social information (Box 3).

21. Expanded external networks and partnerships. To proactively acquire and share knowledge and expertise outside ADB and participate in the knowledge debate, ADB has expanded its external networks and forged partnerships with external organizations. It participates in over 300 networks with professional and other organizations throughout the world, which serve as forums for information exchange and sharing. ADB plays a major role in about 120 of these networks, exchanging and disseminating best practices and lessons learned on specific topics (Box 4).

22. Center for Learning, Information, Communication, and Knowledge (CLICK) . ADB launched the CLICK initiative at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva in December 2003. Under this initiative, ADB will set up ICT-based interactive knowledge centers in its DMCs. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be operational in 2005. Through CLICK, ADB will support distance learning on key development topics for DMCs with up-to-date KPS that are tailored to clients' needs. CLICK will also enable DMCs and ADB's development partners to disseminate their own KPS through this facility.¹²

Box 4: Promoting Information Sharing for Cleaner Air: Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities
Multi-Organizational Partnership The Asian Development Bank (ADB), jointly with the World Bank, founded Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) in 2001, a multiorganizational partnership to promote innovative ways to improve the air quality of Asian cities by sharing experiences and building partnerships. CAI-Asia is a joint initiative of governments, NGOs, academic institutions, development agencies, and the private sector.	Information Sharing Through the Internet The CAI-Asia Web site (www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia) serves as a cost-effective way of sharing information on air quality improvements. The Web site is the most comprehensive portal on air quality management in Asia, integrating contents from ADB's vehicle emission reduction site (www.adb.org/vehicleemissions).	Information Exchange Through Listserv The CAI-Asia Listserv (i.e., E-mail discussion group) best exemplifies this growing online community for information exchange. The group has more than 700 subscribers of researchers, specialists, and policymakers, all sharing local news, air quality data, transport issues, conference announcements, and educated opinions about new technologies.

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Members of the Knowledge Management Committee, chaired by the President, include the heads of ADBI, ERD, Operations Evaluation Department, Office of External Relations, Regional Economic Monitoring Unit, RSDD, and Strategy and Policy Department.
KMApps are an electronic tool to manage, access, and share information among departments, committees, and networks. Each KMApp has 11 modules: library, calendar, concern, cooperation, correspondence, forum, indicators, lessons learned, news, operations, and profiles.
ADB. 2003. Development of a Business Plan for a Center for Learning, Information, Communication, and Knowledge for Asia and the Pacific. Manila.

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Current Practice

Challenges and Opportunities

Catalog

B. Recent Initiatives