New ways of knowledge sharing in the public sector

With a highly user centred approach, this project aims to innovate the sharing of knowledge in and between the different departments of a public institution spread over 90 locations across the country.

Challenge

CABI (Danish National Centre for Employment Initiatives) is an information centre which inform and inspire various partners in the labour market. One of CABI’s tasks is to provide the employees at the Danish Jobcenters with knowledge and information about the inclusive labour market in Denmark.

Skærmbillede 2010-01-18 kl. 15.45.04 Skærmbillede 2010-01-18 kl. 15.58.44 Kaffekander

CABI wanted to investigate and explore ways and new forms of dialogue with employees at the jobcenters. There are 90 jobcenters spread all over the country. All full of skilled employees doing their best to help people find a job.

The challenge for Seismonaut was to investigate and map the current flow of new knowledge and the sharing of experience in and between the jobcenters, in order to identify new opportunities.

Method

We started out by tailoring a research design with an empathic user centred approach. We packed the car with camera, audio recording gear, notebooks and so forth and visited employees at a range of different jobcenters.

After a very fruitful harvest of insights we went back to the office and started logging all the video material. Hours and hours of video material was scrutinised analyzed and put into categories. The findings were presented at a workshop with participating jobcenter employees. Together we discussed the findings and refined the outcome.

Outcome

The outcome was an inspiring visual report which contained 9 guidelines based on our observations and conversations and 5 recommendations for how to work with social networks as a way to share knowledge and inspiration. The report is designed to be used as an engaging set of design principles that can be used in the following iterative design process. But it also delivers brand new insights and knowledge about the everyday life of an employee at a jobcenter.

Forside på rapport Vidensfordeling Skærmbillede 2010-01-18 kl. 15.45.57

About the client

CABI was established by the Danish Ministry of Employment. It is an autonomous institution and information centre focused on an inclusive labour market. Their aim is to inspire and initiate cooperation between public authorities and companies in order to establish optimal conditions for anyone with a work potential to be an active participant in the labour market.