Knowledge is Power but can it be used as a weapon for your Enterprise? Decide it for yourself.

How can one define knowledge?

What is the meaning of bare numbers?
for e.g. 37 It is just plain Data.

What is a number/data got to do?
If you attach a °C to it, then it becomes information.

The next question one can ask: what is the temperature being referred to?
the contextual information is knowledge.
e.g the normal temperature of the body is 37 °C


Knowledge Strategy

A strategy that has to be put in place so as to build up knowledge resources of the organization in order to deliver products and services superior to that of the competitors.

K-SWOT is done so as to identify strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats that exist due to the existing knowledge potential of the organization.

K - Map - would help in relating the knowledge potential/gap needed so as to meet the strategic objectives of the organization mentioned in the vision &the mission statement of the organization.

One needs to tap the knowledge assets so as to achieve the strategic objectives of the organization. In order to tap these knowledge assets one needs to convert an enterprise in to a Knowledge Enterprise. This can be done by employing the right Knowledge Management Tools and infrastructure. Also, the readiness of the enterprise needs to be checked so as to see how easily and effectively a knowledge management infrastructure be incorporated. Once it is all in place a continous audit needs to be performed so as to ensure that the corporation is updated with all its needs for becoming the right knowledge enterprise.

Following is a brief description of each step involved in building or recommending an enterprise equipped with the right knowledge management infrastructure.

Different types of Knowledge Assets

Explicit knowledge - that is available in the form of documents/books stored as repositories. Such kind of a knowledge needs to be exploited by the organization as it is available in a codified form.

Tacit knowledge - exists in intuitive/judgmental form. it is peculiar to experts or the employees. most difficult to explore.

Internal knowledge - available within the organization

External knowledge - exists with clients, competitors, partners or consultants.

Structural, human and relational capital of the firm.

Drew's Boston Box (http://www.tlainc.com/articl145_files/image010.jpg)
it is used to further classify about what the organization is aware/unaware of the knowledge that it possesses or not.

Knowledge Management Tools

There are many tools available for managing a company's knowledge.

Before selecting these tools, one needs to carefully evaluate them keeping in mind the issues that one can encounter during implementation.

The frameworks available for consulting the right Infrastructure dimensions needed for creating the right knowledge enterprise:

1. Nagrajan and Shekhar Dual model
2. Nonaka's SECI Model
3. Ovum consulting layer
   

The next vital stage is to determine Critical Success Factors and their corresponding Key Performance Indicators for knowledge management infrastructure to be implemented

Assess organization's readiness for KM implementation:
On the basis of 3 dimensions

1. Technology and Systems
2. Business Environment
3. Organizational Environment
   

Knowledge Audit

1. The final stage is to measure the effectiveness of the Knowledge strategy suggested which is done through the K - Audit.
2. It is followed by measurement of performance w.r.t. Critical Success Factors determined for the company.
3. Use the checklist for the entire process map to overview completed processes.
4. Share the KM implementation across teams and document the same.