Community of Practice - CoP
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
A group of people who share a common concern, problem, or passion, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis. Unlike formal departments, CoPs are typically cross-functional and self-organizing. Scaffolding role: informal knowledge network. Breaking down departmental silos. Real innovation and solving of difficult problems often occur in water cooler conversations or cross-departmental interest groups (CoPs). Encourage this lateral connection.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Informal knowledge network. Breaking down departmental silos. Real innovation and solving of difficult problems often occur in water cooler conversations or cross-departmental interest groups (CoPs). Encourage this lateral connection.
Anchor fast decisions
Cross-functional, self-organizing informal networks allow people with common interests to interact continuously, breaking down departmental silos; real innovation and problem-solving often occur in lateral 'water cooler' exchanges. It supplements the deficiencies of formal hierarchical structures in information flow.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_practiceverified
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