Knowledge management (KM) - or the practice of using
information and collaboration technologies and processes to
capture organizational learning and thereby improve business
performance - is becoming one of the key disciplines in
management, especially in large companies. Many books, magazines,
conferences, vendors, consultancies, Web sites, online
communities and email lists have been formed around this concept.
This practical book focuses on the vast offerings of KM
solutions' technology, content, and services. The focus is not on
technology details, but on how KM and IT practitioners actually
use KM tools and techniques. Over twenty case studies describe
the real story of choosing and implementing various KM tools and
techniques, and experts analyse the trends in the evolution of
these technologies and tools, along with opportunities and
challenges facing companies harnessing them. Lessons from
successes and failures are drawn, along with roadmaps for
companies beginning or expanding their KM practice. The
introductory chapter presents a taxonomy of KM tools, identifies
IT implications of KM practices, highlights lessons learned, and
provides tips and recommendations for companies using these
tools. Relevant literature on KM practices and key findings of
market research groups and industry consortia such as IDC,
Gartner and APQC, are presented. The majority of the book is
devoted to case studies, featuring clients and vendors along the
entire spectrum of solutions: hardware (e.g. handheld/wearable
devices), software (e.g. analytics, collaboration, document
management) and content (e.g. newsfeeds, market research). Each
chapter is structured along the "8Cs" framework developed by the
author: connectivity, content, community, commerce, community,
capacity, culture, cooperation and capital. In other words, each
chapter addresses how appropriate KM tools and technologies help
a company on specific fronts such as fostering adequate employee
access to knowledge bodies, user-friendly work-oriented content,
communities of practice, a culture of knowledge, learning
capacity, a spirit of cooperation, commercial and other
incentives, and carefully measured capital investments and
returns. Vendor history, product/service offerings,
implementation details, client testimonials, ROI reports, and
future trends are highlighted. Experts in the field then provide
third-party analysis on trends in KM tools and technique areas,
and recommendations for KM practitioners.