Posted by Vaughn P. Fox on January 22, 2000 at 23:55:38:

In Reply to: Information needs & KM posted by Denham on January 22, 2000 at 19:25:21:

Denham,
The beauty about the Functional Analysis methodology is that it uses the assumption that most people don’t know what they don’t know. Most assumptions are risks. This risk is reduced through the use of the Functional Analysis methodology.
A novice would need to read the key points from the first three chapters of my book before he or she would understand how the Functional Analysis methodology allows people in organizations to share quality information they need to gain knowledge they require to make decisions that achieve desired results. I think you answered your own question. In the last paragraph of your previous posting you stated that you “see knowledge as arising from the negotiation around opinions, shared perceptions and intuitions, resorting in relationships, embedded in processes and transferred through conversation, interaction, apprenticeship and coaching, rather than via explicit information.” The FA methodology is a tool that allows people to do just that. What do you think happens when people in an organization share “quality” information? When people recognize processes used to satisfy essential information needs that share quality information they are using objective reasoning to form opinions based on an exchange of information to determine what is or is not quality information. Quality information is used by people to promote knowledge they need to achieve the level of understanding they require to filter information used by other people in the organization to perform similar functions. I think you and I are using different techniques to achieve the same results.
When I was young I often wondered why there are so many different models of lawn mowers. All lawn mowers are designed to serve the same basic purpose: to cut grass, so why are there so many different models on the market?
The same thought process is used when we deal with people that comprise each organization. A systematic analysis that does not consider the individual is destined for failure. The FA methodology provides a start point “stake in the ground” that is improved by people in the organization capable of using those tools to allow them to improve. Some of the tools are innovative, while others are old ones used in a new manner with people possessing common sense and initiative enhanced by training and commonly understood procedures. I hope this helps. Did I share enough information to promote knowledge you need to understand this explanation? Respectfully, Vaughn.

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Follow Ups:

• Need more information Denham 00:26:42 01/23/00 (1)
  • Re: Need more information Randy Garcia 12:51:08 04/11/00 (0)

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