6 questions about knowledge management

Everyone is talking about the term knowledge management. But what is knowledge management anyway? Why is it so important? And how can good implementation be achieved in practice?

Our expert answers these and other questions marcel in this interview. Marcel is an expert in knowledge and innovation management. As a university lecturer in strategy and innovation, he also has extensive experience in the areas of digitalization, business model innovation and organizational forms.

What is knowledge management?

Marcel, you have decades of experience in managing knowledge and business models, can you briefly explain what the term “knowledge management” means?

There are different views of knowledge management. One of them is a more holistic one. The first question is when knowledge is knowledge. This is the case if information has a value or can be used. I find the word “solution routine” used as a synonym for knowledge management more appropriate. In my opinion, this term implies the essential characteristic of knowledge management, namely the fact that someone can generate added value based on information without having to solve a problem that has already been solved before, for example. In a more simple and practical way, a functioning knowledge management system provides answers to the questions “How does it work? “How can I easily solve my problem?”

Knowledge Management — The Key to Competitiveness

What tasks does knowledge management fulfill?

Effective knowledge management lays the basis for competitiveness. You achieve this when you are innovative, you can be innovative, if you are a learning organization and you become one when appropriate solution routines can be developed and shared and the value of the individual solutions can be improved. When knowledge is well developed and effectively shared, this leads to qualitative solutions, innovativeness and, as a result, to high competitiveness. In my opinion, these are the tasks of effective knowledge management in terms of innovation and competitiveness.
On the other hand, well-implemented knowledge management streamlines the corresponding processes, which drives continuous improvement. In the end, this effect also plays back into competitiveness. Functioning knowledge management has a positive effect on organizations of all sizes, whether universal or industry-independent.

Knowledge management as an obligation?

Why is knowledge management important?

I've already mentioned it before that good knowledge management enables a high level of competitiveness. From my point of view, no company can avoid using a functioning knowledge management system. The reason for this is the rapid changes that are common today, the VUCA world, which makes active management of knowledge enormously important, if not indispensable.

Of Responsibilities and Propaganda

Does good knowledge management have an impact on how employees work?

I think that in the area of knowledge management, there is always a need for people who feel responsible, monitor quality and also propagate where and how knowledge is available. Easy retrieval also ensures the reusability of solution routines and information. If this knowledge is not easily accessible, obstacles arise. There is a risk that new solutions will be sought for similar problems, which shouldn't really be necessary.

Reducing knowledge barriers

How does good knowledge management work in practice?

In order to answer this, the present problem must first be clarified. If knowledge is not made accessible or retrievable, hierarchical knowledge barriers arise on the one hand and functional knowledge barriers on the other hand, which subsequently leads to the creation of knowledge islands.

Good knowledge management is therefore achieved in practice by overcoming or connecting these knowledge islands. For this, you need appropriate systems. With working tools, the main problem, the availability of knowledge, was then solved. However, knowledge and solution routines must not only be retrievable, but also structured and discoverable. Modern wiki systems such as Phonemos or Confluence are very helpful here. This provides employees with a solution that moves the company forward.

Knowledge management and strategy - Where am I where do I want to go?

Which tools and strategies would you recommend?

In my opinion, the key question that should be asked is: Where am I today, where do I want to go with the company. This is how trade needs in knowledge management are clarified. What do I know today, what do I need to know in the future and in which fields do I need to learn? This must be attributed systemically to the company. This is where standard learning cycles and development processes come into play, but also when using them, it is easier to achieve the goal when the necessary tools are available.

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