While not as “sexy” as social media or mobile KM, a solid process to identify and transfer best practices is one of the best knowledge-related investments an organization can make. By learning what works in other business units and locations, employees are exposed to theory, evidence, and expertise all in one. It can be challenging to achieve widespread adoption of best practices, but organizations that get it right see financial impact ranging from $7 million to $200 million annually.

APQC’s research has uncovered three models for identifying and transferring best practices. The first—the “create, validate, and disseminate” model—involves the direct transfer of centrally identified or created practices to multiple locations. In the second model, communities of practice or other employee-driven networks collaborate to vet and share successful practices. The third model requires that business units and locations assess themselves against a set of established best practices and then develop improvement plans to close performance gaps.

Click the links below to learn more about each model:

•    Create, validate, and disseminate
•    Transfer through communities and networks
•    Self-assessment

For additional information, check out some of our other content on the tranfer of best practices. Starred items are available to nonmembers as well as members.

•    How to Transfer Internal Best Practices*
•    Managing Change to Support the Transfer of Best Practices
•    APQC’s Worksheet for Managing Change to Support the Transfer of Best Practices
•    APQC’s Worksheet for Identifying Barriers to the Transfer of Best Practices
•    Key Measures for the Transfer of Best Practices
•    How Alcoa Successfully Transferred Best Practices Using Communities of Practice*

Nonmembers can also purchase our Facilitated Transfer of Best Practices report, which offers best practices and case studies on this topic.