Knowledge Solutions

Providing a wider range of knowledge-enriched development solutions

Challenge	How can ADB play a bigger role in putting the potential of knowledge solutions to work in Asia and the Pacific?
Strategy	ADB will enrich knowledge management activities through internal learning from operational practice and external learning from long-term strategic partnerships with other international finance institutions and world-class academic and research institutions.
Response	ADB is improving linkages between knowledge management and our operations, enhancing communities of practice, strengthening external knowledge networks, boosting staff learning and knowledge sharing, and promoting the ADB Knowledge Management Center's role as facilitator and coordinator.

Knowledge is a powerful catalyst for propelling development. It provides the basis for knowing what to do and how to do it. When managed in ways that let organizations generate value from knowledge-based assets, knowledge can become the heart and soul of successful action.

ADB is in a privileged position to leverage knowledge for learning, performance, and change to improve development effectiveness in Asia and the Pacific.

ADB's ability to apply knowledge is deep-rooted. Our central position lets us identify trends within and across the region. Our wide array of lending and nonlending products and services allows us to extend integrated assistance.

ADB's technical and financial credibility enables us to bring large, attractive financing to support knowledge-based assistance packages.

In short, ADB is well placed to deliver information-rich development assistance throughout the region.

Continually enhancing our knowledge management practices

ADB's developing member countries recognize our capacity, and look to us for our comprehensive knowledge solutions that respond to their evolving requirements. And now—in line with our long-term strategic framework 2008–2020 (Strategy 2020) guidelines—ADB's Knowledge Management Center is facilitating and coordinating upgrades of the organization's knowledge practices to meet member country demands through four strategic thrusts that

• Improve knowledge linkages. Now there's greater coordination and cooperation between ADB's knowledge management and ADB operations.
• Enhance communities of practice. More and more, ADB staff are encouraged to take advantage of growing opportunities to network, and engage with and become members of ADB-hosted communities of practice.
• Incorporate knowledge management into staff training. Knowledge management and learning are being integrated into ADB's learning and development program to boost staff learning and knowledge sharing from the outset and on a continuing basis.
• Strengthen external knowledge networks. Learning and innovation across the region are being enhanced by strengthening partnerships with more rigorous selection of knowledge suppliers.

Making knowledge management one of our most effective development tools

Progressing rapidly, ADB's strategic coordination is ensuring knowledge generated by ADB and other sources is fully linked and embedded in our activities. Our Technical Assistance Strategic Forum is emphasizing improved coordination between ADB knowledge and the operations departments.

Each regional department is encouraged to formulate country partnership strategies that analyze developing member country knowledge requirements. Strategy preparation mobilizes ADB's knowledge departments, communities of practice, and informal networks hosted by ADB. Ways to harness other networks of practice are being examined. Existing ADB knowledge documents are also being analyzed to identify targeted lists of best practices that can be applied in the region.

In addition, communities of practice and informal networks are set to become integral to our business processes. Their integration will be based on a clear set of objectives and terms of reference. In fact, a new community of practice in agriculture, rural development, and food security is being created by elevating ADB's existing informal network addressing these issues.

Creating strategic partnerships between ADB communities of practice and networks of practice

Networks of practice can be an invaluable resource for development agencies. ADB established seven regional knowledge hubs to encourage research and networking on innovative knowledge products and services.

To be effective, however, relationships must be strategic. ADB is now looking into special criteria for selection and development of networks of practice. Outputs and outcomes will be specified during the selection process.

Wherever possible, resident missions will be actively involved in the selection of networks of practice. Nonregional institutions from ADB member countries will be identified in accordance with ADB's sector and thematic priorities.

These steps will ensure knowledge products will have relevance to policy makers in developing countries. ADB will ensure the knowledge products and services the networks develop tie in better with audiences in ADB, particularly the communities of practice and informal networks.

Equipping ADB staff with the tools of knowledge management

Continual upgrading of staff skills to meet the evolving needs of developing member countries is also taking place. Beginning in 2008, ADB's induction program for new staff included briefings on knowledge management and learning.

Knowledge-specific training programs are also being designed. Recently, staff members are being trained in narrative techniques to capture the contributions that storytelling can make to operations.

Also introduced was ADB's Knowledge Solutions series to strengthen competencies in strategy development, management techniques, collaboration mechanism, knowledge sharing and learning, and knowledge capture and storage.

Another series that has strong potential for use in communities of practice is the Knowledge Showcase, which highlights innovative ideas from technical assistance initiatives and other knowledge products.

ADB is also developing a Forum on Learning. The forum will raise awareness of the importance of knowledge management and learning, and strengthen their linkages. It will provide a caucus to advance ADB communities of learning, review best practices for organizational learning and enhance skills in specific areas, and bring multi-stakeholders together to build networks and generate stronger partnerships.

We are also exploring improved ways to disseminate ADB's best practices and nontraditional approaches for their use by government policy makers, nongovernmental agencies, and other development practitioners, as well as by interested scholars and the private sector.

These new initiatives will ensure ADB's delivery of knowledge-enriched development products and services will promote sustainable development in our developing member countries.