1. Conceptual Overview of Knowledge Management

The concept behind Knowledge Management is to enable better decision making.

Knowledge Management adds value to the vast amount of data that an organisation amasses over time by allowing the relationships and the context of the information to be maintained and managed.

It can be said that there are seven key characteristics to KM that must be brought together:

Business Context

The characteristics that define the transactions, business function and users context.

Knowledge Brokering

The mapping and matching of the required and requested information against the available information, this is facilitated using concepts such as the context manager on the demand side and the content catalogue on the supply side.

Content Catalogue

Organises, maintains and manages information repositories based upon content and not the file format.

Reference Management

Manages, maintains as well as reduces the amount of redundant information, in order to distill the useful information from the “noise” that may be accumulated.

Decision Process Automation

Tools and technology that assist in mapping the business process of decision making through the application of graphical tools.

Universal Search and Retrieval

The vertical market search filters and tools as well as general purpose search tools, that allow for information access and retrieval regardless of the location and the format of the information.

Dynamic Delivery

Refined information retrieval tools, that support not only the traditional pull model but also a just in time push model as well as agent based retrieval.

2. Knowledge Management and your Operations

Until an organisation has access to its information - regardless of the format and location of that information - it cannot have a true KM culture. Knowledge is what is known, hence if you are unsure or unaware of the information that eventually is synthesised into knowledge, you will not be able to manage it; you cannot manage what you cannot locate. This is why the more traditional information management disciplines are key to enabling a KM culture.

3. What are these Traditional Disciplines?

Information Management

Concepts and Philosophy (the what and why of IM) The guiding principles and theory involved in the development of any information management system.

Document, Records and Image Management

The computerized management of electronic and paper-based documents as well as documents stored in other formats and media. These systems are becoming more important as it becomes increasingly apparent that the paperless office is an ideal that may never be achieved. Instead, these systems strive to create systems that can handle paper and electronic documents together.

Workflow

The defined series of tasks within an organization to produce a final outcome. At each stage in the workflow one individual, system or group is responsible for a specific task.

Search and Retrieval Systems

The ability to find relevant information stored in a variety of sources using sophisticated query and retrieval tools.

Data Mining

A class of database applications that look for hidden patterns in a group of data.

Human Resource Management

The ability to track the skills, knowledge, experience and availability or your human resources in order to apply “the right person for the right job.”

User Requirements, Business Case and Systems Analysis

The evaluation of what a client needs for a particular solution based on human, economic, business, functional, procedural and technical criteria.

System Design

The development of technical specifications for the implementation of a particular solution. The level of detail may include the selection of specific products and vendors.

Systems Integration

The development and/or implementation of a single solution consisting of two or more systems.

Security

Dealing with all aspects of keeping data and equipment safe and private, including software, hardware, physical, procedural and human resources concerns.

Support (Systems Support and Help Desk)

The provision of services relating to the proper ongoing operation, usage and maintenance of an installed system.

4. Sound Foundation and Knowledge Management Services

Sound Foundation does not implement a KM infrastructure, rather our goal is to assist clients in understanding what KM is, what it isn’t and the delta between the two. The steps required to advance to a KM culture is something we are able to help with. Changing your corporate culture isn’t.

Sound Foundation can help you make a meaningful and smooth transition to the KM culture that is most suited to your operations. We will develop system designs, and provide you with contacts and resources to operate and maintain you KM infrastructure.

5. For Further Information...

If you would like further information please feel free to contact us.

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