People sometimes interchange the terms "know-how" and "knowledge", but there's a world of difference! Systems vendors are falling over themselves to sell you so-called "integrated knowledge management solutions", but these are rarely more than glorified information management systems with go-faster stripes.
If we fail to understand knowledge in all its facets, then there is a danger that in doing so we miss out on the most valuable aspects of knowledge management and end up delivering a system-driven solution, rather than a cultural shift towards sharing and learning from experience.
Know-how is the processes, procedures, techniques and tools you use to get something done. This kind of knowledge can?t always be captured in its entirety - imagine trying to write down your know-how on "how to ride a bicycle"! Some things are simply best learned from combination of know-how and experience.
Know-why relates to strategic insight - understanding the context of your role, and the value of your actions. It's the "big picture" view of things. Why are we doing this? Where are we trying to get to? What would happen if we didn't do it? Where do I fit in all of this? Think back to your first ever job. Did anyone explain to you why what you did was important, or were you just expected to "get on with it" and not ask stupid questions? Know-why is a key to lifting morale and generating commitment and buy-in from staff.
Know-what is the facts required to complete a task, it's the information needed in order to take a decision and it's the things you need to collect together before making something. This kind of knowledge can be captured and embedded into systems, scripts and processes.
Know-who includes knowledge about relationships, contacts, networks, who to call on for help. It's the "I know a man who can" factor. All of us apply and build up this type of knowledge on a day-to-day basis, often subconsciously. If your role is sales-oriented, you'll know just how important know-who can be. The degree to which the know-who in your organisation can be accessed will be a reflection of your culture. How easy is to find the right people? When you do find them, are they willing to give you the benefits of their experience? Are networks and communities of practice supported and encouraged in your organisation?
Know-where is that uncanny ability that some people have for navigating through and finding the right information. You probably know people in your office who fulfil this role, functioning like human search engines! In his bestseller "The Tipping Point", Malcolm Gladwell describes these people as connectors. If you visit Yahoo!, or one of the other major Internet portals, you?ll be in a knowledge-rich environment where most of the content is know-where - links to where relevant know-how (and often know-who) can be found on the web.
Finally Know-when is the sense of timing - to know the best time to do something, to make a decision, or to stop something.
Conclusion
Knowledge is a many faceted gem - to truly extract the value, you will need to look beyond "know-how", and polish-up your organisation's performance in a wider range of areas. By doing this, you will move far closer to having an integrated strategy for managing knowledge.
Chris Collison is a renowned expert in knowledge management and an experienced practitioner in the leadership and implementation of organisational change from a people perspective.
As a best-selling author, he has presented to audiences at business schools and at conferences around the world, and is a regular contributor to specialist knowledge management publications. Chris has worked with leaders at the highest levels of many public and private-sector organizations, sharing the practical experiences he gained whilst working in BP's knowledge management team, and his deep understanding of the human dynamics of major change programmes.
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Your organization's continued growth and success depend on making smart... Read More
Today's successful organizations are the ones which carry on open... Read More
The day job as a manager is all about managing... Read More
People buy from you, offer help, and grant rewards based... Read More
This article relates to the Work/Life Balance competency, which investigates... Read More
What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More
Do you struggle with a "problem" employee? If so, join... Read More
FEAR! To what extent does fear rule your life? How... Read More
During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More
Here are ten fundamental concepts that characterize an effective meeting.Definition:... Read More
An operations manual can act as a tool for training... Read More
GROUP DECISION-MAKING: Many managers feel they are well-versed in areas... Read More
1. Trust no one. Not your superiors and not your... Read More
I once was part of a group of management professors... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Let me repeat a story I heard many years ago... Read More
Recently, I felt appalled to see a political candidate running... Read More
Another IT White Elephant!It seems that almost every day we... Read More
The current economy is causing most companies to tighten their... Read More
People sometimes interchange the terms "know-how" and "knowledge", but there's... Read More
The goal of perfection is a challenge. It is often... Read More
There are 12 essential elements of a successful internal communications... Read More
We all know that achieving better alignment, synergy and cooperation... Read More
Performance Management is a process that both employer and employee... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Bad meetings are a cultural malady that senior executives pass... Read More
There are wild variances in how much involvement organisations are... Read More
Most executives view offshore outsourcing most of all as a... Read More
The objective is to beat the competition and make money.... Read More
Bar Charts and the Information ChallengeWhether one is an unknown... Read More
Imagine the following scenario; Ten years ago you decided to... Read More
If it's so simple, why don't managers all over the... Read More
I once worked in a place where there were three... Read More
Having an agenda template that works well for you, week... Read More
Second thought! Just in case. YOU or someone you personally... Read More
As waves of organizational change sweep across the business landscape,... Read More
You're so excited you're practically bouncing off the walls. This... Read More
I recently flew from Seattle to Atlanta, I realized, just... Read More
It's been a pretty good weekend around the place -... Read More
Everyday a business owner, CEO, or manager somewhere is complaining... Read More
Excess capacity in an automobile plant at Ford, Chrysler, Toyota,... Read More
Researchers have undertaken numerous studies to look at the connection... Read More
The meeting started like a hundred others before. There were... Read More
Purpose: Show how immersion leadership training makes strategic initiative success... Read More
Every one of us, in reality, has two people inside:... Read More
We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its... Read More
Do you ever wonder why people do not simply do... Read More
Many kinds of interferences or disturbances can confuse a message.... Read More
1) Where is the agenda? A meeting without an agenda... Read More
1. Base your business in the Magic Triangle. Honesty, integrity,... Read More
There are so many ways to jump start your prifits... Read More
Have you ever sat in a meeting where everyone is... Read More
If you're one of the many executives struggling with finding... Read More
You probably know this already, but there are generally held... Read More
"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump... Read More
What happens when a Project Manager asks one of his... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
Today, companies have an ever-expanding list of options available to... Read More
Some say that in business as in sex: if it... Read More
In today's chaotic world and uncertain economic times too many... Read More
COMPANY/ORGANIZATIONA South Florida hospital. The CEO of the hospital saw... Read More
Someone can say, 'Why do you oppose this?' So I'd... Read More
"The best Leader is one who knows how to pick... Read More
I've met and worked with many people in all sectors... Read More
I've seen several articles that begin with lines like "the... Read More
Business Management |