Posted by Vaughn P. Fox on September 20, 1999 at 00:24:48:

In Reply to: Re: Curious about Knowledge Management posted by Daan de Koning on September 19, 1999 at 15:44:07:

Daan,
What is your definition of IM? If IM is defined as managing information that provides knowledge needed to attain the level of understanding people need to make sound, timely decisions...why then are people focused on KM?

If KM is luring people together to share thoughts and ides, then KM is not what we should be focused on. Yes, sharing thoughts and ideas is important, but how do you focus those thoughts, ideas and time to produce the level of understanding needed to make key corporate decisions?

Effective IM solutions need to look not only at systematic results, but additionally systematic results influenced by objective reasoning. Whenever judgement and intuition enter the picture, there is the "artsy" part of the equation that often cannot be measured...but it can be gained and used advantageously if "intent" is clearly understood. Most people produce and share "quality" information w/ those that need it in a timely manner IF they clearly understand the intent. Yes...it is not that simple, but almost. Leadership, ethics, initiative, common sense,...they all have a role in supporting effective IM. That role is often guided by rules called "procedures". When is the last time you entered an organization and the personnel involved clearly understood the strategic vision and associated goals and objectives needed to attain desired results? Did that organization possess leaders in charge of each department that were capable of clearly articulating their information needs? Were the correct capability sets being used to ensure each person supporting the organization were able to perform their part, while simultaneously being proactive to gather info required to support anticipated actions/issues? I agree that today we may have more sophisticated tools, but the basic information needs remain relatively the same. Those that don't know what they need to know often establish complicated solutions. They try a little of everything until they stumble into what they need. I hope I did not hear you say that technology is the solution. I hope you said technology is a tool, only if people know how and when to use it. Great discussion!

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Daan de Koning 11:20:52 9/20/99 (7)
  • Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Vaughn P. Fox 21:18:01 9/21/99 (6)
    • Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Daan de Koning 15:42:04 9/23/99 (5)
      • Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Vaughn P. Fox 23:16:38 9/23/99 (4)
        • Re: The philosophy of KM Diwakar Thakore 12:27:36 11/18/99 (0)
        • Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Daan de Koning 08:42:06 9/24/99 (2)
          • Re: Curious about Knowledge Management Vaughn P. Fox 08:21:10 9/25/99 (1)
            • another UTK Daan de Koning 10:34:24 9/26/99 (0)

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