Identify and Charter Communities with Explicit Business Objectives

In APQC’s 2010 study on communities, Positioning Communities of Practice for Success, the establishment of explicit business objectives was identified as one of seven critical success factors that support effective community programs. All three of the leading organizations examined in the study—Alcoa World Alumina, Ernst & Young, and Schlumberger—use this technique to provide their communities with a solid foundation and clear ties to business goals.