Topic – Demystifying Complex Adaptive Systems

The concept of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) has been lurking around the KM space for some time.  However, many people are yet to appreciate its significance or its potential to help us understand how to foster KM in organisations.  Although emerging from highly theoretical beginnings, the concept is beginning to be used to help decision-making and strategy.  This session will be conducted as an interview, where Markus Fietz from CSIRO will answer questions from the interviewer as well as the audience.

 

·   What are Complex Adaptive Systems?  How do I recognise them?

·   What are their relevance in organisational settings?

·   They sound pretty academic, how can I use them in practice?

·   How do they relate to KM?, to organizational change? to strategy?

 

Agenda:  July 22nd

 

6:00-6:30      Networking with other thinking collaborators (over drinks and nibbles).

6:30-7:15      Markus Fietz – Demystifying Complex Adaptive Systems

7:15-8:00      Informal conversation amongst the group to explore the ideas and concepts.

 

Venue: 

RMIT Graduate School of Business, 300 Queen Street. Melbourne

Lecture room 158.1.2c (Ground level – just behind reception).

Ample metered street parking nearby in Queen Street (between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale).

 

RSVP: by email to melbournekmlf@gmail.com

About our Guest Speaker

Markus Fietz is R&D Manager and Deputy Director of CSIRO Minerals.  He coordinates over 200 research professionals and a portfolio of research capabilities and programs serving the Australian and international minerals industries.  After 15 years in management consulting, Markus joined CSIRO Minerals in 2000 to lead its activities in knowledge and information management.  In 2003, he was asked to fill in temporarily as R&D Manager and been in the role since.  Markus’ has a passionate interest in fostering effective knowledge work and creating positive change in professional organisations.  He first came across the concept of Complex Adaptive Systems at CSIRO and found it resonated strongly with his consulting and management experience.  The CAS concept now forms an underpinning framework for much of his approach to decision-making and judgment.

Wednesday June 24

Topic – Knowledge Degradation

Has knowledge been downgraded in organisations? This session considers how the field of knowledge management considers the nature of knowledge and the value placed upon knowledge within organisations. Discussion will be encouraged regarding issues such as knowledge retention and knowledge loss and whether modern organisations have the capacity to nurture deep knowledge. Some typical questions for discussion are outlined below:

 

·   How do organisations value knowledge?

·   Is there scope for creating greater depth of knowledge within a modernist organisation?

·   Does depth of knowledge affect organisational performance?

 

Agenda:

6:00-6:30      Networking with other thinking collaborators (over drinks and nibbles).

6:30-7:15      Judith Watson – Knowledge degradation

7:15-8:00      Explore the ideas and concepts with Judith and others over more drinks & nibbles.

 

Venue: 

RMIT Graduate School of Business, 300 Queen Street. Melbourne

Lecture room 158.2.5 (one level up from reception).

Ample metered street parking nearby in Queen Street (between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale).

 

RSVP: by email to melbournekmlf@gmail.com

About our Guest Speaker

Judith Watson is Principal Consultant of Distinctive Edge Consulting and Training Services (DECS). She is also an author of a publication entitled “What Value HR?” and has consulted to numerous public and private sector organisations and has built a reputation for developing unique models and frameworks that can be applied in the learning knowledge and HR arenas. Judith is also an adjunct lecturer in the MBA for RMIT and is currently pursuing post graduate research in the area of knowledge degradation.