EPOS believes that knowledge is an important tool to enable consultants to provide state-of-the-art advice and good quality services. Accordingly, a range of practices to create, identify, and share know-how and information has been established at EPOS.
Various knowledge management instruments have been developed and integrated into EPOS’ Quality Management system according to the ISO 9001:2008 requirements. However, the main purpose of these tools is to enhance the continuous learning process necessary to keep the knowledge and competence of international health-related areas at an optimal level.
Guidelines for the Mobilisation of Team Leaders
Guidelines for the Mobilisation of Team Leaders have been designed to support Project Managers in the start-up phase of a project. The Project Administration and Management Manual, EPOS’ Policy Papers, and other documents relevant to the principles of development cooperation and client oriented consulting services are introduced to the project’s key staff in order to strengthen the team’s management capacity and their corporate identity with the company.
Information Exchange among Areas of Competence
A comprehensive set of guidelines has been established to support information exchange across EPOS’ Areas of Competence (AoC). This is to ensure knowledge sharing for the strategic purposes of: a) improving the overall quality of EPOS’ services, and b) strengthening EPOS’ position in all areas relevant to international health projects and programmes (Health Facilities and Services, Policy and Financing, as well as Integrated Primary Health Care). This approach involves cooperation partners and key experts, and is a joint effort of all staff members to coordinate with each other in a way to deliver the best quality.
Project Websites
A key effort towards KM is the setting up of Project Websites. The purpose is to inform interested parties about the project and to offer access to project specific information, e.g. project reports, new activities or job advertisements. A standard format for such project websites ensures that all websites follow the same format and quality standards (except in projects where a standard structure and format of web-sites is already provided and recommended by the client, e.g. some EU-Projects).
Share Point Software
EPOS uses ‘Share Point’ for an increasing part of its projects. This software tool allows information exchange via internet between EPOS regional offices, consortium partners, and the project team. It provides the possibility for all people involved to view and work on documents, which saves both time and effort and allows optimal coordination and speedy information transfer. EPOS is successfully using this tool for projects in Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Tanzania.
EPOS Intranet
EPOS has an intranet knowledge management portal that allows staff and experts to access tools, manuals, guidelines, policy documents, country reports, studies and articles, and project development concepts. EPOS introduced focal points for major clients and countries to ensure that relevant information for project development and implementation is pooled and accessible to EPOS staff in an efficient way. Specially appointed staff at EPOS and within the GOPA Group is responsible to collect and disseminate information on clients and for regions and countries of strategic interest to create synergies and intensify information exchange.
