Focus on the issues not on the definition of KM

The term Knowledge Management has been over used and misused. If we, as practioners and interested parties were honest, we would admit that no one truly understands what the term means. Though many have created what they consider the ‘definitive’ description of KM, just the sheer volume of absolute descriptions tells us they are simply best guesses. Like a measure of competency, those who have created definitions of KM are quoted time and again by practioners who follow up by saying ‘this is the best definition I could find but I am still not sure I agree.’

Concentrating on what the term means tells me we have lost the plot. Should we not re-focus on the challenges and business issues the term and the ‘discipline’ were created to solve? The challenges are real; the term was simply a created to describe the various approaches to face the issues at hand.

Are we not simply problem solvers, rather than Knowledge Managers? Yes, the type of work we do has evolved throughout the history of our society and we now work much more in the realm of creating knowledge then creating goods. Yes, there is now a proliferation of facts, figures, data, experience and wild guesses, all available at our finger tips. At the end of the day, are we not still trying to solve the problems immediately at hand while looking for the trends, patterns and ideas which lead us to better prepare for the future? We are still trying to solve problems. Just as the problems have become more complex, so has the amount and types of information and knowledge to apply against those problems. Have we, as human beings, evolved quickly enough to handle the vast amount of knowledge available, given the technology created to deliver it to us? That, to me, is more central to the issue then what the term KM means.

We have created complex problems in our world, becoming more complex by the moment. We have amassed complex information and knowledge to apply against those problems and amazing technology to help us find, store, reuse and apply it. Are we, as humans doing all we can to handle this reality effectively?

This blog has been designed as one forum to discuss the aspects, challenges, ideas and theories surrounding how organizations and individuals might benefit by focusing on the practical application of our common experiences in our endeavors to manage knowledge.
Collaboration, innovation and organizational/individual effectiveness are by products of such endeavors. We welcome all who wish to contribute as long as it brings us forward, stays on the topics addressed here and is respectful of the participants and readers.

Kathy Hagen