Enhancing learning effectiveness through connectance diagrams : A new tool for learning organisations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a particular approach for increasing knowledge creation in organisation. The paper provides a discussion of related concepts, processes, and a tool. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the reasons for drawing connectance diagrams, the process and the software. It also explains their application within companies, and discusses plans for further research. Findings – The feedback from the case studies presented in this paper was positive and indicated that the tool for action plan selection (TAPS) is useful for learning and teaching. Originality/value – This paper provides a practical tool for increasing the flow of knowledge in organisations and explains how it is used. This paper argues that one way of achieving this is through an interactive process coupled with an effective knowledge map to gather the employees' collective view of the knowledge and skills required to successfully perform each step in delivering solutions. The key is both a process and a tool that organisations use to manage their knowledge in a way that enhances employees' learning and ownership. This paper describes such an approach, and explains its application within companies, and discusses plans for further research. The process described in this paper is known as drawing connectance diagrams and the software tool to accomplish this is called TAPS.