Knowledge Management (KM)
"Knowledge Management" (KM) encompasses a wide range of
concepts.
- KM is "a multi-disciplined approach to achieving organisational objectives by making the best use of
knowledge" See interim Australian Standard AS AS 5037(Int)—2003.
- The terms "knowledge management" and "knowledge" (and
"information") do not have generally accepted definitions.
- "KM focuses on processes such as sharing, acquiring and creating knowledge, and the cultural and technical foundations that support them."
- The framework proposed in the Australian Standard covers:
- Knowledge alignment - context, analysis and planning;
- Knowledge processes - sharing, acquisition and creation;
- Knowledge foundations - culture, technology and sustaining systems.
KM has application for all types of organisations. As an asset, knowledge may
be managed for the benefit of the organisation, institution or community that
has access to it.
The key to understanding knowledge management lies in recognising its
coverage of all forms of knowledge available to an organisation:
- Explicit information - that is codified and accessible and so includes:
- intellectual property;
- documented systems and procedures;
- Implicit information - other information,
- chiefly contained within the knowledge and skills of people.
- generally not "owned" by the entity that may be able to use
it.
Key issues in knowledge management:
- Identifying or mapping an organisation's knowledge resources
- Integrating KM into the organisation;
- Managing the KM culture;
- Balancing technology (IT) and people processes in KM programs;
- Decisions for investing in knowledge and KM;
- Valuing knowledge.
Managing knowledge is a key ingredient in the management of complex
systems generally.
See brief observations on the recently attended ArkGroup Conference, London, February 2003,
"Measuring Knowledge Value"
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