actKM Knowledge Awards

In 2003, actKM organised and presented its inaugural actKM Knowledge Awards.  The awards will be presented in conjunction with the actKM Annual Conference.

The actKM Awards are presented annually to Public Sector organisations that have achieved significant improvements in organisational capability, performance or sustainability through the application of knowledge-based projects or activities.  These awards are about celebrating the successes achieved, at all levels of government, by people who have worked hard to change their workplace by creating a working knowledge environment.  The citations for last years winners are on the actKM website, and show the variety of efforts that made the winners list.

Nominations are sought for the current actKM Knowledge Awards.  The information below provides guidance on the submission of nominations.

Eligibility

Australian Public Sector nationally – all tiers of Government.

Prizes/Sponsorship

Prizes are awarded by actKM.

Award Categories

Type of Knowledge Activity or Project

The actKM Knowledge Awards will be assessed on the basis of the focus of the knowledge activity or project being nominated.  The three areas of focus are:

• Cultural initiatives
• Technological initiatives
• Combined cultural/technological initiatives – the Platinum award level is only applicable to this category of nomination
  

Organisation Size

Entries will be considered in two categories dependent upon organisation size.  This is to enable whole departments or Agencies (>2000 staff e.g. Defence, Centrelink, Vic Dept of Health, Brisbane City Council), and smaller agencies and parts of Agencies (< 2000 staff eg AG’s, PM&C, local council, schools, NLA, NGA) to apply.

Judging Criteria

Nominations will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge Project Goal (must relate/contribute to delivery of organisational outcomes in terms of core business)
2. How the knowledge project has been/is being implemented
3. Business capability improvement achieved
4. Organisational improvement
5. Dollars saved
6. Service Improvement
7. Extra Business
8. Goal Achieved
9. Customer Satisfaction (this could be walkthrough the door, policy implementers, govt itself etc)
10. Partnership Satisfaction (Purchasing Orgs, Outsourcing Orgs etc)

Submissions

Submissions should be no longer than 5 pages.  They must be structured to specifically address each of the judging criteria listed above.  The relevant award categories must be specified in all submissions.  Closing date for submissions is 1 month before the annual conference.

Award Levels

Gold:  Must demonstrate cross organisation applicability to effectiveness in delivering on core business

Silver:  Must demonstrate successful implementation in a part of the organisation that has led to increased effectiveness in delivering on core business

Bronze: Partial delivery of one of the above, but already showing an improved effectiveness within the business

Special Mention:  Notable achievements that the judges consider worthy of acknowledgement and encouragement

Platinum Award: Where culture and technology comes together in an organisation that enables it to be truly called a Knowledge organisation.

These ratings allow more than one organisation to fall into a particular category (i.e. its not 1st, 2nd & 3rd)

Judging

Judging will be undertaken by assessing the submissions received against the published criteria.  Some site visits may be undertaken.  An independent judging panel will be set up under the aegis of actKM.