Nick Milton, a Knowledge Management Consultant and Author from the UK, discusses his transition from geology to knowledge management and the power of sharing best practices. They emphasize the importance of human guidance in knowledge transfer and explore the impact of technology on communities of practice. The chapter also explores the demographics and pain points in knowledge management and the importance of accountability in tracking and automating knowledge handling.
Knowledge management is vital for organizations of all sizes and sectors, providing benefits such as improved document access, connectivity, best practices, learning from experience, knowledge retention, and innovation.
Communities of practice, while still valuable, have seen a decline in attention due to evolving technology and a shift towards instant communication tools, but other areas of knowledge management like document access and learning from experience have gained prominence.
Deep dives
Importance of Knowledge Management in Organizations
Knowledge management is a vital component in organizations, regardless of their size or sector. It involves managing knowledge with a focus on its value and impact. Organizations that prioritize knowledge management experience numerous benefits, such as improved access to documents, enhanced connectivity among employees through communities or networks, creation and provision of best practices, learning from past experiences, knowledge retention, and fostering innovation. Successful implementation of knowledge management requires a combination of technology platforms, processes, and cultural alignment. While larger organizations have been leading the way in implementing knowledge management practices, smaller organizations can also benefit by capturing and leveraging their knowledge from the start, enabling them to scale and duplicate their success.
The Decline of Communities of Practice
Communities of practice have played a significant role in knowledge management, but they have seen a decline in attention in recent years. This change may be attributed to several factors, such as evolving technology and a shift towards more instant communication tools like Microsoft Teams and Yammer. The old-style community platforms with threaded discussions and searchable archives have become less used. Additionally, some organizations have witnessed a change in focus based on their specific industry or sector. While communities of practice still hold value, their prominence has diminished compared to other knowledge management areas, such as improved document access or learning from experience.
Knowledge Management Survey Findings
Over the years, surveys conducted on knowledge management practices have provided valuable insights. The surveys gathered responses from knowledge managers around the world and revealed some consistent trends. Large multinational organizations in the USA, Canada, Western Europe, and India have shown the most success in knowledge management. These organizations prioritize various aspects, including connecting people through communities or networks, improving document access, creating and providing best practices, fostering knowledge sharing, retaining knowledge, and driving innovation. While technological advancements have had an impact, the key areas of focus have remained relatively consistent over the years, with slight shifts based on industry and context.
Accountability and Value of Knowledge Management
One of the ongoing challenges in knowledge management is establishing accountability and recognizing its value within organizations. While leaders play a crucial role in driving knowledge management initiatives, it is essential to delegate accountability throughout the organization. The ISO 30401 standard for knowledge management promotes accountability and provides a framework for implementation. By highlighting the costs of lost knowledge, organizations can emphasize the importance of capturing and sharing knowledge effectively. Over time, knowledge management practices can become deeply embedded within organizational culture, delivering significant value and creating a competitive advantage.
Nick Milton is director and co-founder of Knoco Ltd ( www.knoco.com ) with over 30 years’ experience in Knowledge Management. Working with Knoco Ltd, Nick has helped develop and deliver KM strategies, implementation plans and services in a wide range of different organizations around the globe. He has a particular interest in Lessons Learned programs, Communities of Practice, Knowledge Retention, KM Strategy, KM assessment and KM implementation. He has worked with KM teams in multiple sectors and in more than 40 countries. Prior to founding Knoco, Nick spent two years at the center of the team that made BP the leading KM company in the world at the time; acting as the team Knowledge Manager, developing and implementing BP's knowledge of "how to manage knowledge", and coordinating the BP KM Community of Practice. Nick is a widely recognized coach and trainer, and has given keynote speeches at most of the leading international Knowledge Management conferences, such as KM World, KM Europe, KMUK, KM Russia, KM Egypt, IAPG Argentina, IKM Jakarta, KM Singapore and KM Brazil. In 2007 he was awarded “Lecturer of the year” from Chalmers University. He was a member of the international working group which developed ISO 30401, the management systems standard for KM, and a co-author of BSI 34401, the guide to use of the ISO standard.Nick blogs most weeks (www.nickmilton.com) and can be found on Twitter (@nickknoco). He is based in the UK, near the city of Bath.
Nick is the author/co-author of the following books:
The Knowledge Manager’s handbook
Designing a Successful KM Strategy
The Lessons Learned handbook
Knowledge Management for Teams and Projects
Knowledge Management for Sales and Marketing
Performance through Learning – knowledge management in practice
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