Case study
CMPS: Platinum
The challenge
The Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS)
is a part of the Cabinet Office that provides training and development,
intellectual resources, consultancy and networking opportunities
for public servants.
Networking and informal knowledge-sharing opportunities
have always been valued components of the corporate development
programmes offered by CMPS to this group, but they have little time
to attend offline events and are geographically dispersed. By establishing
a virtual community for the continued sharing of information and
exchange of ideas, it was hoped to extend this type of activity
online.
A need was identified for a secure environment where
past and present participants of CMPS's corporate development programmes
for senior managers could network, solve problems, discuss issues
and share knowledge. CMPS developed their initial ideas into a clear
vision for how those specific needs could be met through a unique
online service for their customers.
The solution
Epic and CMPS worked together to develop Platinum, an online
collaborative learning resource, to facilitate networking and continued
learning. In the physical world, so-called 'communities of practice'
are an increasingly important feature of corporate activity, and
the Internet offers an ideal medium through which such knowledge
networks can be sustained and supported.
As well as encouraging communication between members, Platinum
also provides CMPS with a communication channel to publish news
articles and a diary of events. Discussion forums enable threaded
'asynchronous' discussions. A secure member-exclusive facility allows
members to send and receive messages individually or to a group,
and a member database can be searched by sector, knowledge area,
interest, or by a particular development programme. In addition,
members can receive expert advice and technical support through
the site.
Platinum's functionality includes:
- Member log-in
- Messaging
- Discussion Forum
- Instant Polling
- Member Database
- Programme Resources
- Expert Advice
- Current Articles
- Coming soon
- Who's logged on
Outcomes
Platinum immediately achieved high levels of usage, with more than
250 users logging on in its opening week; generating tremendous
interest within the Civil Service and beyond. Current members include
chief executives, permanent secretaries and key staff across government,
private and wider public sectors.
Margaret Saner, Deputy Director, Corporate Development Division,
Centre for Management and Policy Studies, said: 'Platinum has successfully
created an environment in which senior civil servants feel comfortable
learning collaboratively and sharing ideas - helping us to equip
the Civil Service for the challenges of 21st century government.'
Collaboration in e-learning is a white paper, by Donald
Clark, Epic, which discussess the role of collaborative learning
environments such as Platinum. Click
here for a summary.
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