Organizations create knowledge organically both intrinsically and explicitly. The ability to acknowledge this resource is often the difference between successful and wasteful organizations. While some organizations have learnt the art of harnessing this knowledge and successfully applying it in their everyday operations others allow it to go to waste. Instituting a culture of Knowledge Management (KM) is critical in saving resources. At CSD we specialize in sensitizing our clients to recognize, harness, and manage this resource in bringing down their operational costs, reducing redundancies and moving forward quickly in this fast-paced field of operation.
2.1 Knowledge Management
Knowledge Management is a key strategic lever in the success of any organization. Organizations, whether public or private, in para state arena or in the non-governmental sector, must recognize the value of their accumulated knowledge resource and how to apply it in their future operations. CSD specializes in developing sound KM frameworks that guide in knowledge generation, processing, management, and application. We specialize in building KM processes, providing leadership support in KM governance, policy development and building KM capacity through deployment of KM adaptive systems, training, and development.
2.2 Knowledge Management Process
In the context of globalization and transformations, knowledge management is an effective tool for increasing the effectiveness of organizations. At CSD, we guide organizations through the knowledge management process, which is the way in which organizations manage knowledge, including its capture, storage, organization, verification, security, distribution, and use. This process, when effective, informs accurate and beneficial decision-making, stimulates collaboration and innovation throughout the organization, and enhances internal and external communication and efficiency.
2.3 KM Framework & Governance
Governance is a vital component of the Knowledge Management Framework. Without governance, there is no assurance that the Knowledge Management system will ever be used. The three main elements of Governance, as applied to Knowledge Management, which include:
- A set of clear corporate expectations for how knowledge will be managed in the organization, including accountabilities for the ownership of key knowledge areas, and the definition of corporate standards or policies for KM.
- Performance management of KM including monitoring and measuring the application of KM using KM metrics linked to reward and recognition, to make sure that people are delivering on their accountabilities and applying the system in the way that they are expected to, to identify the need for new interventions to improve the KM system, and to ensure a continuous improvement in the ability of the organization to manage strategic knowledge.
- Support for Knowledge Management, including a KM support team, KM reference material, and KM training. CSD’s understanding of this framework ensures that we guide organizations along their KM journey successfully.
2.4 KM Planning & Implementation
A winning knowledge management program increases staff productivity, product and service quality, and deliverable consistency by capitalizing on intellectual and knowledge-based assets. However, implementation can be a challenge. By developing a KM plan, an organization defines the goals for KM, outline the types of initiatives that it intends to pursue, and designates a lead person to move it forward. Inherent in the plan is the implementation model which provides an opportunity to identify the specific activities to be undertaken; makes sure that the right people are involved and ensures that the necessary resources are made available to maximize their effectiveness. CSD’s understanding of these core elements makes it easy for us to guide organizations along as they walk their KM path.