Communities of practice in a strategic context are complex organisms that can significantly contribute to an organization’s competitive advantage. However, it’s not a given that any or all of the communities in an organization will reach a desired level of success or be able to sustain their value over time. In designing a community, careful consideration to the community’s architecture and the factors that will support its success can help remove barriers before they challenge the viability and sustainability of the community. Creating a firm foundation for the community is one of the organization’s responsibilities. The priority or intensity of these components and factors may vary by organization, but generally speaking, these building blocks are critical to the community’s and, therefore, the organization’s success.