Lecture # 01 “Introducing Knowledge Management”

Data is basically just raw facts and figures. No single piece of data can be useful by itself, as it does not provide good business information.

Information is data which has been processed and has now got some meaning behind it.

Knowledge is an understanding of the information which has been given.

There are three primary causes of change:

• Global literacy
• Invention of electronic infrastructures
• Social revitalization (impart new life)

Knowledge Management

According to Swan et al. 1999

“..any process or practice of creating, acquiring, capturing, sharing and using knowledge, wherever it resides, to enhance learning and performance in organizations”

And as stated by Skyrme 1999

“The explicit and systematic management of vital knowledge and its associated processes of creating, gathering, organizing, diffusion, use and exploitation, in pursuit of organizational objectives”

While from Mertins et al. 2000

“..all methods, instruments and tools that in a holistic approach contribute to the promotion of core knowledge processes”

In general, KM focuses on organizing and making available important knowledge, wherever and whenever it is needed. KM is also related to the concept of intellectual capital. 

KM is basically Process of capturing and making use of a firm’s collective expertise anywhere in the business

Doing the right thing, NOT doing things right!

Forces Driving Knowledge Management

•  Increasing Domain Complexity
• Accelerating Market Volatility
• Intensified Speed of Responsiveness
• Diminishing Individual Experience

In today’s organizations – Role of KM

KM is important for organizations that continually face downsizing or a high turnover percentage due to the nature of the industry.

Knowledge Base Management System

Information technology facilitates sharing as well as accelerated growth of knowledge.

KM system refers to a (generally IT based) system for managing knowledge in organizations for supporting creation, capture, storage and dissemination of information. The idea of a KM system is to enable employees to have ready access to the organization's documented base of facts, sources of information, and solutions.

For example a typical claim justifying the creation of a KM system might run something like this: an engineer could know the metallurgical composition of an alloy that reduces sound in gear systems. Sharing this information organization wide can lead to more effective engine design and it could also lead to ideas for new or improved equipment.

Effective KM

80% - Organizational processes and human factors, 20% - Technology

• Reduce dependence on individuals.
• Reduce cycle time: Standardize and speed up customer/Request for Information responses.
• Cutting time to market
• Re-use solutions across projects/initiatives.

KM systems classification

• Knowledge Discovery Systems
• Knowledge Capture Systems
• Knowledge Sharing Systems
• Knowledge Application Systems