Break down your silos! The power of ‘Communities of Practice’

How to build knowledge-sharing networks that survive beyond projects, platforms, and leadership changes

May 16, 2025

The Big Story

Break down your silos! The power of ‘Communities of Practice’

How to build knowledge-sharing networks that survive beyond projects, platforms, and leadership changes

All too often in the public sector, teams invest months developing digital solutions only to later discover that another department had already solved a similar problem. The solutions exist. The connections don't.

Across government, the most significant barriers to transformation aren't technical or budgetary—they're organizational disconnects preventing knowledge from flowing where needed.

‘Communities of Practice’—peer-led learning networks formed around shared professional interests—offer a powerful solution. Unlike traditional knowledge management approaches, these communities:

  • Form organically around genuine practice areas

  • Provide safe spaces for cross-hierarchical learning

  • Blend formal knowledge sharing with relationship building

  • Distribute leadership rather than centralizing it

The results are measurable: decreased redundancy in tool development, accelerated onboarding, standardized design patterns, improved cross-departmental collaboration, and higher retention of institutional knowledge.

Organizations like the Canadian Digital Service and Service Canada Labs demonstrate how these communities drive transformation not through mandates or restructuring, but through genuine connection and shared learning.

Unlock your organization's collective knowledge and eliminate costly redundancies with strategically designed Communities of Practice. Button provides the expertise, facilitation, and frameworks you need to transform siloed teams into collaborative networks. Schedule a discovery call today to tap your super power with clarity.

Your May Event Calendar!

Toronto

May 22 | The Future of Design Teams
An insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of design teams and their impact on innovation.
TIME: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (EDT)
PLACE: Rotman School of Management, 105 St. George St., Career Centre Lounge (Room 287)
COST: $21.50
Event Details

May 24 | Best Practices for Human-Centred AI (HAX Toolkit Workshop)
A hands-on workshop focusing on human-centred AI design practices.
TIME: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (PDT)
PLACE: 130 Queens Quay E., Toronto
COST: $107.50
Event Details

May 29 | Absolutely Interdisciplinary 2025
An academic conference exploring interdisciplinary approaches to AI challenges.
TIME: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (EDT)
PLACE: Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, 108 College St, Toronto
COST: From $75
Event Details

Vancouver

May 27–30 | Web Summit Vancouver
A global technology conference featuring speakers from various industries.
TIME: Various
PLACE: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
COST: Fro $730
Event Details

May 27 | Rise & Raise: Empowering Women in Tech Capital
An event aimed at empowering women in the tech industry.
TIME: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (PDT)
PLACE: VentureLabs, 1100 – 555 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
COST: Free
Event Details

Edmonton

May 20–23 | Upper Bound 2025
An AI conference bridging gaps between various sectors.
TIME: Various
PLACE: Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton
COST: From $500
Event Details

Calgary

May 20 | Storytelling for Change
A session on the power of storytelling in driving change.
TIME: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (MDT)
PLACE: Social Innovation Hub, Unit #290, 3553 31 St. NW, Calgary
COST: Free
Event Details

May 21–23 | Inventures 2025
An innovation conference featuring various content tracks.
TIME: Various
PLACE: BMO Centre at Stampede Park, Calgary, AB
COST: From $399
Event Details

May 29 | Beyond the Numbers
A session exploring data beyond traditional metrics.
TIME: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (MDT)
PLACE: J5 Design, 140 4 Ave. SW, #1500, Calgary
COST: $22
Event Details

Community Engagement

What Survives When Digital Teams Are Dismantled

In her new story titled “Digital Service Resilience,” Hillary Hartley—co-founder of 18F and former Chief Digital and Data Officer for Ontario—examines the recent closure of 18F and the restructuring of the Ontario Digital Service. Far from a eulogy, her piece argues that while teams may dissolve, the values, methods, and culture they champion endure. Hartley reflects on how user-centred design, policy change, and talent development continue to shape better government services worldwide—offering a roadmap for those still fighting to modernize the public sector from within.

Worth Your Attention

What We’re Reading: Communities of Practice Within and Across Organizations: A Guidebook (2nd Edition)

Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner, along with Phil Reid and Claude Bruderlein, present a comprehensive resource for cultivating Communities of Practice (CoPs) in their 2nd edition of Communities of Practice Within and Across Organizations: A Guidebook. This edition offers updated content, including a new case study and enhanced visuals.

The guide delves into the strategic design, facilitation, and evaluation of CoPs, emphasizing the importance of fostering environments that support social learning. It addresses the roles of leaders, facilitators, and evaluators in sustaining vibrant communities that bridge organizational silos. Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, the authors provide actionable insights for embedding CoPs into organizational cultures, aiming to enhance knowledge sharing and collaboration. This book serves as an invaluable tool for those seeking to leverage CoPs for organizational learning and transformation.

Further Reading

Stay on top of vital digital services news and tips by checking out insights from our previous newsletters

BUYING CANADIAN IS NOT ENOUGH: A practical technology roadmap for going from foreign vendor lock-in to harnessing Canadian innovation.

STREAMLINING FEATURE APPROVAL IN GOVERNMENT APPS: The Button secret for streamlining feature approvals for seamless, consistent user experiences across government applications.

NAVIGATING THE AI LANDSCAPE IN PUBLIC SERVICE: A decision-making framework for open-source vs. proprietary models.

REKINDLING DIGITAL TRUST: Button helps our partners build digital trust with their citizens every day. Learn how with our video, blog and white-paper guides today!

🔥 THE NEWEST HOT BUTTON REPORT: Learn how to rebuild trust with your stakeholders. Download the full, free report now.

Curious what a Canadian-first tech stack could look like for you?

We’ll happily walk you through three smart swaps that improve resilience, and reduce exposure without breaking your workflows.

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