Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management (KM) is complex and multi-faceted. It can include all of the following parts:

• Information repositories
• Data mining
• Process reengineering
• Publications management
• Competency measurement
• Collaboration systems
• Best practices
• Resource catalogues
• Training

Nevertheless, many definitions have emerged in contemporary literature. Some of the more simplistic include:

• "The explicit and systematic management of vital knowledge and its associated processes of creating, gathering, organizing, diffusing, using, and exploiting".
• "System by which information hits the right person at the right time".
• "How groups of people make themselves collectively smarter".

KM is not always technology- driven and therefore does not fit appropriately within the Information Technology (IT) division of an organization. Recent literature on this topic suggests that HR specialists or Trainers are well qualified to lead KM initiatives.

In any case, whether KM subsumes E-learning, or the other way around, both support Continuous Learning.

In an SME context, KM need not necessarily involve technical solutions. The key in smaller organizations is to ensure that everyone's access to the knowledge they need to do their job is reviewed regularly in a systematic fashion with the aim of correcting deficiencies and improving efficiency through better information flow. Simpler tools like a "roller-dex" are perfectly satisfactory way to organize the information.