What makes a learning organization?

Originally answered Nov 11, 2018

From Building a Learning Organization by David Garvin:

“A learning organization is an organization skilled at creating, acquiring, and transferring knowledge, and at modifying its behavior to reflect new knowledge and insights.”

Q: How can we measure learning in an organization?

A: In the article above, look under the section “Measuring Learning.”

Q: How can I help my organization become a learning organization?

A: You can help it become a learning organization by setting specific objectives, and then measuring progress against those objectives.

For example, if you want to apply lessons learned and reuse proven practices, establish formal processes and policies for doing so. Set goals for adhering to these policies. Then measure and report on performance, e.g., the percentage of lessons learned that are formally acknowledged in new projects, the percentage of initiatives that reuse at least one proven practice, the average number of lessons learned and proven practices that are applied in new projects, etc. And recognize and reward those who help achieve the goals.

Similarly, to use other approaches, e.g., Appreciative Inquiry and Positive Deviance, create similar processes/policies, goals/measurements, and incentives/rewards.

Also see Posts about Learning.