« Spell Checker for Web Form Entry | Main | Dilbert knows KM »
November 13, 2003
Change Strategies are the Key to KM
Perhaps too much attention is placed on the technology for KM, and not enough on the human element of implementing that technology. That's the conclusion you could come to after reading Nina Platt's excellent article appearing in the Oct. 2003 issue of Practice Innovations.
Nina looks at recent literature relating to change management and applies it to the implementation of a KM initiative. She includes a table with John Kotter's eight stages of creating change taken from his book called Leading Change, and suggests how those stages can be translated to the increase the chances of success with KM.
My favorite quote? "In the context of KM, the act of sharing information (and the expectation that all will share) transforms the culture." Just think, the culture of sharing may not be a prerequisite for a successful KM project. It may be the result.
Skip one of Kotter's eight stages of creating change at your own risk. Your KM initiative may be at stake.
Comments
Excellent point. I recently had a discussion with my colleagues (other KM people) about the motivation for sharing knowledge. Sometimes the idea of being known as the expert in a certain field may be a catalyst for those who are reluctant to share knowledge. Perhaps applications that help other to know who is the expert in their company on any particular topic, may help the change process to begin. Being known as the expert allows people to share their knowledge, but still get credit for their own accomplishments.
Posted by: Lynn at November 14, 2003 06:56 AM
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
