A systematic approach to community of practice evaluation using the value creation framework

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are widely used to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines. However, systematic evaluations of them remain limited due to the dynamic nature of CoPs and the lack of tested methodologies. In this manuscript, we present the evaluation of a CoP conducted by pairing the Value Creation Framework with guidance developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Through qualitative analysis using a structured coding framework, we examine participants' experiences in the CoP and assess how the CoP generated value for its members, the barriers that may have hindered value creation, and the perceived benefits of participation in the CoP at both personal and organizational levels. We explored two dynamic pairs of value cycles (i.e., immediate and potential; applied and realized), identified barriers (i.e., capacity) and facilitators (e.g., discussion-oriented atmosphere, relationship building, and trust) to value, and visualized how value flows across cycles to ensure CoPs meet members' needs. Our findings demonstrate the utility of this systematic approach, highlighting the individual and organizational benefits of participation in a conservation-focused CoP while providing a concrete example of how the VCF can be operationalized in practice.