Written by the top authority on the subject, this is the definitive guide to developing communities of practice and integrating them into a company-wide knowledge strategy. · The term, "communities of practice," was first coined by Etienne Wenger, who researched this organizational form. · Provides a framework and practical tools to design and develop communities of practice and to launch a community of practice-based knowledge initiative. · Details the five stages of development and mentions problems that are likely to arise at each stage---and then provides ways to prevent these and solve them. Offers richly illustrated examples from companies such as DaimlerChrysler, McKinsey, the World Bank, and Shell.