Posted by Dilip Bhatt on April 12, 2001 at 05:15:20:

In Reply to: New in KM - need some direction posted by Atul on April 07, 2001 at 13:16:35:

Hi Atul

I would most certainly suggest, determining the key burning issues that are being faced by your division. Once this has been identified, speak to relevant folks and determine HOW KM can help to resolve these burning issues. KM without context is meaningless. People generally understand why KM is important and the value it brings BUT at a lost when they don’t understand HOW KM can help in their daily work. What is really important is HOW KM will make it easier, better and effective and the associated benefits to the individual. In the end it’s largely about people, they will design it, drive it, implemented it, support it but only if they realise the benefit (even more importantly experience the benefits).

In order for you to TRULY understand the requirements, yes an audit will provide the state of KM but you will not necessarily get the total richer picture. You will need to understand the Social Climate and map that. By a Social map I mean understanding (dependent on the level you are mapping (group, function, individual)) how people interact say in terms of managing a specific information objects, how people go about discussing problems, how does process improvements and innovation work, understand the informal structures is also vital. This should provide you with a map of typically tacit exchanges that take place between communities and individuals. It will highlight maybe new communities, which were not evident during the audit process. So mapping the knowledge state is one activity the other being the Social Network map.

Ensure the questionnaire has a mixture of Technology, Cultural and Process related questions, don’t focus on one particular element. If you need a list of questions, then please let me know.

Finally word, question why you are auditing. To me it’s also partly about the understanding the knowledge gap. You need to understand what your Division knows and what it should know, the diff being the knowledge gap. Fundamentally need to understand WHAT information/knowledge is needed to meet the strategic needs and where the gaps are.

But like most things KM, this is only the start of the journey.

Good Luck

Kind Regards
Dilip

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Follow Ups:

• Knowledge mappping question Aman Khan 06:45:41 05/17/01 (1)
  • Re: Knowledge mappping question Valdis Krebs 21:19:49 06/22/01 (0)

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