I will attempt to inform you on what Knowledge Management Software (KMS) is. I will also attempt to give you a brief history and specific benefits the KMS adds to our specific global organization. First let’s talk about knowledge management (KM), and define what it is? I had the opportunity to talk with three coworkers and for them to give me a definition that I myself had no idea about until I decided to do some research. Well, my first interview went with Tasha who’s a Supply person. She had no idea; she thought it could not be such a thing as KM. Secondly, I interviewed Michelle our unit secretary.
She said she’d heard of it but couldn’t possibly tell me what it meant. And lastly, I interviewed Tonya, our personnel specialist. Tonya said she knew what knowledge was. According to her, knowledge had something to do with knowing information and management according to her is knowing what to do with the information. Well, that gave me a starting point. Well, what is knowledge? Let’s see, knowledge has two basic definitions of interest. The first pertains to a defined body of information. Depending on the definition, the body of information might consist of facts, opinions, ideas, theories, principles, and models (or other frameworks).
Clearly, other categories are possible, too. Subject matter (e. g. , chemistry, mathematics, etc. ) is just one possibility. In addition, knowledge also refers to a person’s state of being with respect to some body of information. These states include ignorance, awareness, familiarity, understanding, facility, and so on. Now that was a mouthful. Management on the other had has some of the similarities as Tonya mention above. When I researched the definition for management it means to manage or be responsible for controlling or organizing someone or something especially a business.
After reviewing both and putting those together KM means – the processes of finding, collecting and sharing information within an organization. This has taken the business community by storm in the last five years. It is about making optimum use of the intellectual capital (skills, ideas and knowledge) of employees. The history of KMS has many faces. With continuously emerging work roles, the unlocking of an enterprise’s information to members at every level has become essential to ensure that each has the knowledge, skills and authority to be productive.
These new work roles demand that every individual have access to the correct data and knowledge in order to make their own effective business decisions. With the rise of organizations seeking ways to manage their knowledge there has come the desire to share strategies with peers. The first conference in the United States that focused upon knowledge beyond the theories of artificial intelligence was entitled “Managing the Knowledge Asset into the 21st Century. ” It was convened by Digital Equipment Corporation and the Technology Transfer Society at Purdue University in 1987.
The second conference on “Knowledge Productivity” was coordinated by Steelcase North America and EDS in April of 1992. Since then, the management of knowledge has become crucial within and among organizations. There have been a number of conferences focusing on different perspectives, each year growing more inclusive and comprehensive. Who create these ideas you ask? Well you do. True knowledge is more likely to lie hidden and undervalued in the minds of individual employees. And it may dwell in the relationships your colleagues have with people at other companies.
Some benefits, sure KMS is a good way for individuals to share information as well as push an idea and possibly receive the credit for it. According to the case study article “Tapping Knowledge”, Askme, enterprise said “we found that the way the experts were highlighted within the project was an implicated reward system. It made experts want to participate. The more active you are in the particular area, Askme highlights you as a featured expert. People in the innovation area are being seen as an expert.
I think it gives a lot of personal satisfaction. ” According to Mick, an Air Operations specialist whom I interviewed whole heartedly agrees. Applying this software give individuals a voice that may on the other hand, have some reluctance to provide input. As I was talking to Renee, an Airman (E-2) in my unit about sharing information she had an unwillingness to do so because she either thought individuals wouldn’t listen to her ideas or address her issues. Is that a dilemma? Yes, and that’s one of the trickiest parts of knowledge management.
Before you can manage knowledge, you have to get it out of people’s brains and into a central repository. And that’s not easy to do if people have proprietary feelings about what they know. After all, knowledge is power, and the impulse to hoard rather than share is strong. Real KMgetting, refining and sharing information across the businessrequires enormous organizational change. Only companies willing to remake their cultures around the value of sharing knowledge and insight will see the benefits, or would about sharing information.
Nevertheless everything has it drawbacks. Additional examples of this beneficial software are as follows. It’s like online education allows a person to have a voice without the feeling the stigma of traditional working groups where time is an essence, at least I know I’m strapped for time. As well as the stigma of raising your hand in a traditional classroom and being perceived as an inexperienced nobody play a part. In my experience, because work is so hectic, I believe or feel that anyway I can utilize technology to accommodate myself is a plus.
According to Telljohann, People are very busy. Anything new tends to be seen on the surface as a distraction I also benefit from KM software through the threaded discussions we utilize to give input on discussion questions. It allows students to exchange ideas and we progress in our chapters. Telljohann also agrees the quality of conversations going on is very high and could be tied to people moving projects forward. It was clear this would be a pretty good investment In conclusion I would like to say this.
It is clear that organizations can benefit greatly from KMS, whether school or government. It is, without a doubt, the way forward for all economic sectors in our country, whether saving money or time. However, one must not forget the importance of implementing a knowledge-sharing culture in order for knowledge management to be successful. Everyone must not be afraid to participate. They must desire to contribute their ideas clearly and concisely, because technology alone is not enough.
