To Be or Not To Be a Knowledge Manager - That Is the Question
- Vidia Priya Rio
- Oct 1, 2005
- 6 min read
Knowledge constantly changes, and dynamic market demands require that organizational knowledge - products, services, markets, processes, technology, structures, roles, and relationships - change accordingly. When you feel you've identified a pattern, a change occurs, the old pattern slips through your fingers, and a new pattern emerges. Therefore, to remain competitive and perhaps even survive, organizations need to understand the importance of structured organizational knowledge management.
The emerging market has led to the growth of a new generation of professionals: "Knowledge Managers. " However, very few people understand the job requirements, and there is much ambiguity about them. This article will, therefore, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a career in knowledge management.
Although you are not Hamlet, the decision to be or not to be a knowledge manager is yours alone.
Why Not to Be a Knowledge Manager
The work pace will never slow down - on the contrary, you'll likely invest 50 or more per week and still wish you had more hours available. This isn't your job if you're interested in avoiding hectic work or hiding until retirement.
You'll never get rich - don't expect a big raise after getting the new job. Your organization will probably wrestle with the payment issue for some time as it hires employees with different salary levels from different parts of the organization.
You won't become the big boss - no one will fan your sweaty forehead or feed grapes into your mouth. You must rely on your influence rather than your title or employees to get things done.
Not everyone will be happy to see you - If you expect project managers and departments to welcome you and the knowledge management tools you've come to instill with open arms, think again. You're likely to be seen as a threat, at least initially. Those responsible for the processes you kindly offer to fix will especially see you as a threat.
You'll need to deal with numbers - no, you don't need to start a training regimen on your way to becoming a statistical genius, but data analysis is a large part of the profession and not one you can avoid. If this information sows fear, perhaps you should consider a different career.
You cannot hide from people - if you dream of sitting in an office processing data all day, this isn't your job. Although data processing certainly consumes time, you'll be in contact with people from all levels of the organization and spend more time in the field than behind your desk.
You won't personally save the company $10 million - knowledge management projects are a team effort, not a personal one. Get used to the fact that not everything revolves around you. Typically, several projects are needed over several years to get to the root of organizational problems, so don't rush to buy your Superman cape just yet.
You won't be able to avoid annoying colleagues – usually, one of your projects will involve an area where you have experience, and it will also occur in the department where you are currently employed. Not only will you fail to avoid annoying colleagues, they will likely be on your team.
Not all your problems will be miraculously solved - a knowledge management system is not a magic wand with solutions to all organizational problems. Struggling to balance work and family? Tormented about the meaning of life? Knowledge management won't solve these issues, but at least you'll have much less time to think about them...
The demand for the profession is not high - when you tire of your job, you'll find that knowledge management is a narrow niche and job offers don't flow daily.
If the thought "Come on, tell me why I should take the job" crossed your mind, the next part is for you:
You'll never be bored - while the general framework remains the same, each project involves new people, new topics, and new ways of operating the same knowledge tools. You'll need to deal with technical, cultural, and managerial problems you've never encountered (or even wanted to encounter) before. You'll stand at the center of a whirlwind of activity and not understand how fifty weekly hours flew by. In short, you won't have time to be bored.
Your role will be meaningful - if your organization does it professionally, knowledge management projects directly relate to business activity. Choosing the color of the bathroom walls will not be part of your job description. You'll work on things that can create meaningful change in the organization.
Your visibility will be high - senior managers will usually monitor your progress since knowledge management projects are strategically important. If your project is successful enough, you may even be called to present it to the big boss. Soon, you'll be flooded with invitations from managers in the company and won't be seen as a threat. This is an exciting aspect of the job, and it won't be long before you start appearing on the organizational radar.
You can acquire new skills - the role gives you a golden opportunity to learn new skills such as problem-solving methods, process improvement tools, etc. You'll learn how to present results in the language of senior managers. And really, how can you give up the opportunity to be among a small group of people who feel comfortable with statistical analyses? Just think how impressed your parents will be...
You'll broaden your horizons - knowledge management projects tend to cross several organizational departments or processes. Now is your chance if you've never looked beyond your small niche in the organization. Regardless of your career aspirations, this kind of experience can't hurt.
You'll become influential - to succeed in this job, and it's not enough to be a hardworking and talented employee; you'll need to get things done by motivating others. Some people won't be as enthusiastic as you about the project, but you'll improve your influence and change management skills beyond recognition. Although you won't have solutions to all problems, you'll have solutions for many of the problems that organization members encounter.
You'll be properly rewarded - although you shouldn't expect a high raise when starting the job (and, of course, you're doing it for the love of the profession and not for the money, right?), most organizations tend to reward knowledge managers with bonuses or stock options. Even if you don't receive these benefits, at the very least, you can expect to be promoted to a more senior position upon completing your "service" in the field.
You'll increase your promotion chances - with all this new experience and exposure, you'll become more likely to be promoted within the organization. Someone needs to be a potential future leader, so why not you?
You'll increase your job security - while it seems that no position is secure these days, the company is less likely to fire those who do work directly impacting business strategy and in whom it has invested significant training funds. Increasing your job security is not a bad step at all.
You'll soon become the most sought-after person - most organizations understand that they can no longer ignore the keywords "knowledge management" and are considering and implementing the subject. The good news is that there is a shortage of knowledge managers who have done it and produced results. You'll soon become one of the most sought-after professionals in the market.
Developing knowledge management processes is not simple. It requires time, manpower, and a wide range of resources. However, the inherent advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Knowledge managers have a golden opportunity to help their organization transition from the mechanical and linear mindset that characterizes the industrial era to a worldview guided by technological discoveries and human behavior.
My advice is to honestly examine yourself, your interests, and your motivating factors. Read the lists above again and examine your reaction. If it "sounds exciting" or "this role is exactly for me," then your decision should lean toward a career as a knowledge manager. In that case, go for it. Good luck.
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