What is a Knowledge Manager and Why Do You Need One?
In today's fast-paced business world, knowledge is power. Companies that can effectively manage their knowledge resources are better equipped to make informed decisions, innovate, and stay ahead of the competition. This is where a knowledge manager comes in. In this article, we'll explore what knowledge management is, what a knowledge manager does, and why your organization needs one.
📝 Table of Contents
- What is Knowledge?
- Tacit vs. Explicit Knowledge
- Diffuse vs. Concentrated Knowledge
- Perception of Knowledge
- Individual vs. Community vs. Industry Knowledge
- What is Knowledge Management?
- The Role of a Knowledge Manager
- Tactics for Effective Knowledge Management
- ROI of Knowledge Management
- Hiring a Knowledge Manager
What is Knowledge?
Before we dive into knowledge management, it's important to understand what we mean by "knowledge." Knowledge can be defined as the information, skills, and expertise that individuals and organizations possess. It can be explicit (codified and context-free) or tacit (contextual and conversational).
Tacit vs. Explicit Knowledge
Tacit knowledge is often difficult to articulate or write down, as it resides in an individual's head and is highly context-specific. Explicit knowledge, on the other hand, is often written down in standards, guides, and other documents. Both types of knowledge are important and should be used to inform decision-making.
Diffuse vs. Concentrated Knowledge
Knowledge can also be diffuse (common and easy to access) or concentrated (specialized and potentially a competitive advantage). Effective knowledge management involves identifying and diffusing concentrated knowledge throughout the organization.
Perception of Knowledge
It's also important to consider the perception of knowledge within an organization. There are known knowns (things we know we know), known unknowns (things we know we don't know), unknown knowns (things we don't realize we know), and unknown unknowns (things we don't know we don't know). Effective knowledge management involves moving knowledge from the unknown columns to the known columns.
Individual vs. Community vs. Industry Knowledge
Knowledge can reside in individuals, communities, or across entire industries. Effective knowledge management involves identifying and leveraging knowledge resources at all levels.
What is Knowledge Management?
Knowledge management is the process of identifying, capturing, organizing, and sharing knowledge resources within an organization. It involves creating the right conditions for knowledge to flow between individuals and systems, and striking the right balance between people, process, and technology.
The Role of a Knowledge Manager
A knowledge manager is responsible for facilitating the flow of knowledge within an organization. They act as a coach and facilitator, nudging teams and individuals towards improving their knowledge and sharing practices. They identify problems and apply the right tactics to solve them, assembling the right parts into a process that improves the flow of knowledge.
Tactics for Effective Knowledge Management
There are many tactics that a knowledge manager can deploy to improve knowledge management within an organization. These include communities of practice, intranets, lessons learned, best practice and expertise sharing, programs and change management, internal communications, webinars, and workshops.
ROI of Knowledge Management
Effective knowledge management can have a significant ROI for organizations. By improving the flow of knowledge, organizations can make better decisions, innovate more effectively, and stay ahead of the competition. The 70-20-10 rule of learning suggests that 70% of learning happens through experimentation and challenging assignments. Knowledge management can help individuals learn more quickly and effectively, improving their performance and contributing to the organization's success.
Hiring a Knowledge Manager
If you're considering hiring a knowledge manager, it's important to have a clear brief of what you want them to achieve. Look for candidates who are self-sufficient, resilient, and comfortable working with lots of different people and systems. Qualifications such as select chartership for knowledge management and KMI chartership are good indicators of a candidate's expertise. Be prepared to invest time and sponsorship in your new knowledge manager, as effective knowledge management is a journey, not a destination.
🌟 Highlights
- Knowledge is power in today's fast-paced business world.
- Knowledge can be explicit or tacit, diffuse or concentrated, and reside in individuals, communities, or industries.
- Knowledge management involves identifying, capturing, organizing, and sharing knowledge resources within an organization.
- A knowledge manager acts as a coach and facilitator, nudging teams and individuals towards improving their knowledge and sharing practices.
- Effective knowledge management can have a significant ROI for organizations, improving decision-making, innovation, and competitiveness.
🤔 FAQ
Q: What is the role of a knowledge manager?
A: A knowledge manager is responsible for facilitating the flow of knowledge within an organization, identifying problems and applying the right tactics to solve them, and assembling the right parts into a process that improves the flow of knowledge.
Q: What are some tactics for effective knowledge management?
A: Tactics for effective knowledge management include communities of practice, intranets, lessons learned, best practice and expertise sharing, programs and change management, internal communications, webinars, and workshops.
Q: What is the ROI of knowledge management?
A: Effective knowledge management can have a significant ROI for organizations, improving decision-making, innovation, and competitiveness, and helping individuals learn more quickly and effectively.
Resources:
- [The KM Cookbook](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36694708-the-km-cookbook)
- [Hiring Your First Knowledge Manager](https://www.cbresourcing.com/blog/2019/06/hiring-your-first-knowledge-manager)
