AMSG AT APQC 2025: Advancing Process & Knowledge Management Through Integration, Innovation, And Impact
Just wanted to share some exciting news and key learnings from the APQC 2025 conference! Seven of our AMSG colleagues recently immersed themselves in two days of intensive training followed by two days of insightful conference sessions. For those unfamiliar, APQC is a leading authority in benchmarking, best practices, process and performance improvement, and knowledge management (KM) – so it was a fantastic opportunity for our team to level up.
The primary goal was clear: professional growth in process and knowledge management, valuable networking with industry peers, and uncovering the latest, proven strategies to tackle our organizational challenges and boost performance. From all accounts, the conference delivered!
Deep Dive into Skill Enhancement:
The training sessions provided impactful learning. The Process Improvement training emphasized a systematic approach to meet business needs through collaboration and data use. Managing Change highlighted the necessity and value of change management, focusing on strategies and the role of change champions. The Process & Knowledge Mapping session showed how knowledge maps can stem from process maps to improve knowledge sharing. Governance Essentials covered foundational principles for effective and tailored governance in both process and knowledge management. Another training stressed the crucial link between process and knowledge flow for better improvement. Finally, the Communities of Practice session offered guidance on designing effective CoPs with clear purpose and leadership.
Key Conference Highlights:
The main conference sessions offered key insights. The opening keynote affirmed the importance of KM and its link to process management, noting the rise of generative AI. A session on the Japanese approach to change presented a culturally unique, “we”-focused model with volunteer champions. Applied Process Management (APM) at BAE showcased team-driven improvements using Lean Six Sigma and behavioral science. AstraZeneca discussed their process management journey, emphasizing governance and defined roles within Process Networks. A success story highlighted the impact of internal process streamlining on revenue. Lastly, a panel explored the intersection of change, strategy, AI, people, and technology in PM and KM, emphasizing a careful approach to AI implementation.
Broader Takeaways and Next Steps:
Key themes emerged from the breakout sessions, including, Embedding knowledge in daily work ensures long-term sustainability and that the Japanese model values knowledge sharing through mentorship and reflection. That knowledge must be linked to purpose, making learning a cultural discipline. That growth requires patience and iterative learning. That AI adoption needs change management, and that the human element remains vital in KM. That user-centric design is key for digital KM transformation, and that AI enables scalable KM through automation. Also, successful KM relies on the right tools and clear objectives and that ethical AI governance is crucial. We should use AI to merge and centralize tribal knowledge. and that developing ethical AI policies is necessary to prevent legal issues. That organizations should embrace AI as a collaborative tool, and that using KM data to show operational improvements is important.
Exciting Additional Value:
As a bonus, our team members received an invitation from keynote speaker Jeremy Utley to join a 2-Week AI Bootcamp to further enhance our AI capabilities in process and knowledge management.
In Conclusion:
The APQC 2025 conference was a significant success for AMSG, providing enhanced skills, valuable insights, and new connections. The knowledge gained, along with the upcoming AI Bootcamp, promises a strong return on investment, driving improvements in our processes and overall performance.
Overall, it was insightful, and we’re looking forward to exploring how we can bring these valuable insights to life together!
Written by: Dee Leffler
Back Row – Tom Fisk, Dion Hopkins, Rey Fernandez, Jason Trezza
Front Row – Pen Vaisagote, Nick Gemmato, Dee Leffler