What is a Community of Practice?

A CoP (Community of Practice) is a group of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis.

CoPs are formed to facilitate learning, problem-solving, and the exchange of best practices within a professional or organizational context.

CoPs typically consist of members who are practitioners in a specific field and collaborate to develop a shared repertoire of resources, experiences, and tools.

The concept of CoPs was first proposed by cognitive anthropologist Jean Lave and educational theorist Etienne Wenger in the 1990s.

CoPs often emerge organically within organizations as practitioners with similar interests and challenges come together to collaborate.

Over time, CoPs develop their own identity, practices, and ways of working, often becoming an integral part of an organization's knowledge management.

Some organizations actively support the formation of CoPs by providing resources, leadership, and a platform for communication and collaboration.

CoPs focus on the development and sharing of best practices and practical knowledge within their domain.

CoPs are effective in capturing and disseminating tacit knowledge within an organization.