Knowledge Management Goals - Another Perspective

We repeatedly emphasize that knowledge management is not a goal in itself, but rather a means to achieve organizational objectives. We continually remind ourselves to review the goals we have set, the areas where knowledge management improves, and ensure that we are advancing these goals appropriately, rather than getting distracted by knowledge management for its own sake.

A short list of "types of goals" helps in defining objectives. It is recommended that, going forward, when mapping knowledge management topics and examining what is worthy of management, this list should be used to sharpen focus in the right directions:

Growth

Knowledge management to increase company revenues, by adding value to products and services that the company sells, or by creating new markets, new products and services, and even growth.

Efficiency

Reducing expenses or time, as a result of reusing existing knowledge, and improving processes resulting from knowledge management.

Customers

Knowledge management is used to strengthen relationships with customers and increase customer satisfaction.

Employees

Knowledge management is used to improve user satisfaction, enhance learning methods, streamline the recruitment process, and retain existing employees.

Moving Beyond the Initial Phase

Furthermore, if you have reached a point where you think you have identified all the key knowledge points and learned to manage them, use this list again. See if all directions have been exhausted and how you can move to the next stage in knowledge management after the first stage, which resembles the "firefighting" stage so much.

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Want to learn more about KM strategy?

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• Knowledge Management Best Practices

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• Decision-making in the new world of collaboration