10-Step Knowledge Management Roadmap: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Apr 20, 2024 in Computers

Step Knowledge Management Roadmap

Four Phases of Implementation

  1. Infrastructural Evaluation

    1. Analyze the Existing Infrastructure
    2. Align Knowledge Management and Business Strategy

  2. KM System Analysis, Design, and Development

    1. Design the Knowledge Management Infrastructure
    2. Audit Existing Knowledge Assets and Systems
    3. Design the Knowledge Management Team
    4. Create the Knowledge Management Blueprint
    5. Develop the Knowledge Management System

  3. System Deployment

    1. Deploy, using the Results-driven Incremental Methodology
    2. Manage Change, Culture, and Reward Structures

  4. ROI and Performance Evaluation

    1. Evaluate Performance, Measure ROI, and Incrementally Refine the KMS

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Analyze the Existing Infrastructure

  • Evaluate the role of networks, Intranet, and extranets in knowledge management.
  • Understand the knowledge management technology framework and its components.
  • Analyze existing data mining, data warehousing, project management, and DSS tools.
  • Understand the function of knowledge servers in enterprise integration.
  • Integrate existing Intranets, extranets, and GroupWare into your knowledge management system.
  • Identify limitations of implemented tools and gaps in the existing infrastructure.
  • Leverage and build upon existing infrastructural investments.

Step 2: Align Knowledge Management and Business Strategy

  • Shift from strategic programming to strategic planning in KM.
  • Perform a knowledge-based SWOT analysis.
  • Create knowledge maps: Internal, competitive, and industry-wide.
  • Analyze knowledge gaps and relate them to strategic gaps.
  • Determine the best focus: codification or personalization.
  • Incorporate critical success factors in KM design.
  • Translate the strategy-KM link to KM system design characteristics.

Step 3: Design the Knowledge Management Infrastructure

  • Choose IT components for finding, creating, assembling, and applying knowledge.
  • Identify elements of the interface layer: Clients, server, gateways, and platform.
  • Decide on the collaborative platform: Web or Notes?
  • Understand components of the collaborative intelligence layer: AI, data warehouses, genetic algorithms, neural networks, expert reasoning systems, rule bases, and case-based reasoning.
  • Identify the right mix of components for searching, indexing, and retrieval.
  • Create knowledge tags and attributes: Domain, time, form, type, product, service, and location tags.

Step 4: Audit Existing Knowledge Assets and Systems

  • Understand the purpose of a knowledge audit.
  • Use Bohn‘s Stages of Knowledge Growth framework to measure knowledge.
  • Identify, evaluate, and rate critical process knowledge.
  • Select an audit method.
  • Form a preliminary knowledge audit team.
  • Audit and analyze your company‘s existing knowledge.
  • Identify your company‘s K-spot.
  • Choose a strategic position for your knowledge management system.

Step 5: Design the Knowledge Management Team

  • Design the KM team and identify sources of expertise.
  • Identify critical points of failure: requirements, control, management buy-in, and end-user buy-in.
  • Structure the knowledge management team organizationally, strategically, and technologically.
  • Balance technical and managerial expertise, manage stakeholder expectations.
  • Resolve team-sizing issues.

Step 6: Create the Knowledge Management Blueprint

  • Develop the knowledge management architecture and select architectural components.
  • Design for high levels of interoperability.
  • Optimize for performance and scalability.
  • Understand repository life-cycle management.
  • Incorporate user interface considerations.
  • Position and scope the knowledge management system.
  • Make the build-or-buy decision and understand the trade-offs.
  • Future-proof the knowledge management system.

Step 7: Develop the Knowledge Management System

  • Define the capabilities of each layer of the seven-layer knowledge management system architecture.
  • Develop the interface layer: Create platform independence, leverage the Intranet, enable universal authorship, and optimize video.
  • Develop the access and authentication layer: Secure data, control access, and distribute control.
  • Develop the collaborative filtering and intelligence layer.
  • Develop and integrate the application layer with the intelligence layer and the transport layer.
  • Leverage the extant transport layer.
  • Develop the middleware and legacy integration layer to connect mainframe legacy data, incompatible platforms, inconsistent data formats, and retired systems.
  • Integrate and enhance the repository layer.
  • Advance the system from a client/server to agent computing orientation.

Step 8: Deploy, using the Results-driven Incremental Methodology

  • Decide on the need for a pilot knowledge management deployment.
  • Select the right pilot project.
  • Identify and isolate failure points in pilot projects.
  • Understand the knowledge management system life cycle.
  • Understand the scope of knowledge management system deployment.
  • Use the RDI methodology to deploy the system.
  • Identify and avoid traps in the RDI methodology to maximize payoff.

Step 9: Manage Change, Culture, and Reward Structures

  • Understand the Chief Knowledge Officer‘s (CKO) role and relationship to the CIO, CFO, and CEO.
  • Decide if your company needs a CKO.
  • Understand the successful CKO‘s technological and organizational functions.
  • Plan for knowledge management success using the CKO as an agent for selling foresight.
  • Implement reward structures to complement successful knowledge management.

Step 10: Evaluate Performance, Measure ROI, and Incrementally Refine the KMS

  • Use real options for evaluation.
  • Calculate returns-on-investment (ROI) for knowledge management investments.
  • Evaluate benchmarking as a comparative knowledge metric.
  • Evaluate knowledge management ROI using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) method.
  • Use Quality Function Deployment for creating strategic knowledge metrics.
  • Identify what not to measure.
  • Understand alternative metrics such as the Skandia Navigator and the FASB approach.
  • Classify and evaluate processes using The APQC Process Classification Framework.