Knowledge Management Basics
Practical Action
participation, across time and distance, so that those most knowledgeable about development
problems can actively contribute to their solution.
• e-Learning
The use of electronic information systems (especially internet technologies) to deliver learning
and training
• Electronic Databases
A structured collection of organized, related data stored on a computer.
• Document Management
The purpose of a document management system is to provide information which documents
are available and how they can be obtained. Document search engines assist people in
searching for documents on specific subjects.
• Forums, Meetings, Workshops, Training and Seminars
What are the technical and human factors in knowledge management?
The technical aspects of the theory and practice of knowledge management and knowledge
systems are rooted in earlier developments of data base management software, information
management systems and document management systems. Some confusion in terminology is
caused by software companies that use the concept of knowledge management as a
marketing tool to advertise their database and information and document management
software products as knowledge management systems. A knowledge system encompasses
these products and information contents created with their support, but they are considered
only as components of the whole system.
The purpose of a knowledge system is to capture, disseminate and apply knowledge. A
knowledge system has the capability of simulating cognitive processes (apply the encoded
knowledge) to support problem solving, information retrieval and generating new knowledge.
This narrow definition is used to characterize computer-based knowledge systems. We may
say that the knowledge encoded in a computer system exhibits itself through the ability to
answer questions and assist in solving problems in a given domain.
Software companies responded to this need by developing all kinds of tools that allow natural
language text analysis, “intelligent” document management, data analysis (knowledge
discovery in databases), domain ontology development, and expert system shells. The issue is
how to bring and adapt these tools to the needs of non-for-profit organizations. Many tools
and methodologies are inexpensive or free, however building the awareness and capacity to
use them needs substantial financial and human resources.
We also need to put the computer-based knowledge management into a broader context of
what knowledge is needed, for whom, to solve what problems, and how to develop and deploy
(institutionalize) knowledge sharing systems. This work requires interdisciplinary teams of
researchers and practitioners. Knowledge management offers a view at ICT tools from the
perspective of solving real life problems not just accessing information, querying database,
and researching new phenomena. But it is not a panacea. Computer tools, particularly at the
individual level are helpful, but they do not guarantee success in implementing the
knowledge management system.
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