Classic knowledge management approach

The typical knowledge management approach is based on a knowledge development approach. In this approach, knowledge development is managed and people are identified and instructed to develop and capture knowledge in their area of expertise. This requires extra time and effort, where one is never sure if the secured knowledge will be used at all.

 Question-driven approach

Addressing the issues of knowledge workers is the starting point for organisational knowledge management. Knowledge management initiatives often fail because of their emphasis on the knowledge organisation. Knowledge, however, starts with and depends on your knowledge workers. You can start with huge change management initiatives to achieve your knowledge management objectives as an organisation. The best motivator for change is the support a person gets that facilitates his work.

To achieve your knowledge management objectives, we at ICMS Group believe it is easier and faster to maximize the support of knowledge workers in 3 domains: too much information, insufficient knowledge and lost knowledge. Starting with a question-driven approach and adding a knowledge-building approach later on appears to be the most successful and pragmatic knowledge management strategy.

And, as a result of supporting your knowledge workers, you will achieve your organisational knowledge management objectives much more easily, faster and with more enthusiasm from your co-workers. It allows organisations to start with a question-driven approach, benefit immediately and grow as needed by adding a knowledge development approach.