What Is It And Why Is It Important?
The whole field of knowledge management education and training covers a vast area relating to all aspects of knowledge management, and asks and answers a variety of questions relating to knowledge management as well. The best summation for what knowledge management education and training is - it involves various aspects relating to people, processes and technology.
So really, what's the key to success in knowledge management? Well it seems a great many feel the key to the success of knowledge management is people, followed by process and then as the runner up, technology.
People being the key to success in knowledge management shouldn't be too surprising. An organization is nothing without the collective knowledge of its employees (people). This knowledge comes from sharing and learning within the existing culture, provided the organization encourages this kind of atmosphere. If not, that's another kettle of fish. If they do and actively encourage sharing, people are definitely the cornerstone to the success of any knowledge management program.
Having a process in place is fine, but without the people to make it work, it lays there. It won't matter if you have strategic planning to back up your goals, you still need the people to accomplish company goals as a collective collaboration. Here is the chicken and the egg argument. Which came first technology or knowledge management? Enjoy debating that question. Then consider this point of view - that technology enables a knowledge management program.
And in a circular fashion we arrive back at people. More specifically, why they don't want to share knowledge, as sharing it is the key to success with any knowledge management program. There are lots of reasons why they don't want to share, starting with the leadership at the top. There are other roadblocks as well. Believe it or not, many people don't understand the importance of what they know. Call it unconscious knowledge - they don't know what they know. They feel they have nothing to share. Another reason is the "knowledge is power" point of view. The "I spent years learning this and why should I share it with you" attitude. The only way that information is going to do anyone any good is if it is shared. And an organization that wants to grow and implement an effective knowledge management system, must find a way to have its people share what they know. Hoarding knowledge means everyone loses, and what is the point? Bottom line? If you want effective knowledge management education and training to actually work in your organization, your people have to be onboard, your process needs to be effective and top notch and the technology needs to help you achieve your goals.
Knowledge Management
| 
