Problems with Knowledge Management

The biggest problem with Knowledge Management?

Its name.

I recall using the phrase to a very senior executive at a former company. Suddenly a wry smile appeared on his face. Translation: The I.T. guy has gone insane….

If the conversation makes it a couple of minutes longer and we begin to talk about

• digitizing information
• making information easy to store, find, update and access
• linking resources (people, tools, tasks, experiences and learning)
• learning lessons once and sharing the learning (aka; not failing the same way twice)
• allowing everyone to contribute
• working smarter, by leveraging expertise and experiences
• encouraging company wide dialog and interaction

then the wry smile disappears and attention gets focused.

The big problem is that I.T. guys have marketed the concept all wrong. The name “Knowledge Management” makes us think of Big Brother. It harkens thoughts of restricted access, of “eyes only” information. The Crown Jewels. The “Castle Keep.”

When in fact, it should be just the opposite.

The second big problem with Knowledge Management is that we don’t compensate employees to record information and to use information provided by others.

Information is power.

And power is to be closely guarded. It’s a very tough sell in some organizations to understand that the power of documenting, indexing and sharing information far exceeds the potential contribution and knowledge of a few Superstars.

Being selfless isn’t easy. There’s nothing in it for you.

Until you try it.