Knowledge Strategy

Definition

A knowledge strategy provides a clear framework and direction for an association to engage in a purposeful, organization-wide, and mission-oriented approach to the creation, collection, organization and distribution of knowledge.

"Knowledge strategy can help us in a coherent way navigate in a chaotic future." ASAE & The Center’s Chief Knowledge and Strategy Officer, Greta Kotler.

Knowledge strategy differs from Knowledge Management which involves documenting shared experiences, networks, and knowledge for future use. Trying to make sure that knowledge contributed is readily available ranging from comments on peer review journals to comments on blogs to digital assets. In knowledge management, findability both from an individual finding content as well as an organization finding knowledge object perspective are key components. A knowledge strategy is often heavily reliant on knowledge management practices, but is a higher-level framework that provides direction across organizations.

Benefits of a Knowledge Strategy:

Knowledge strategies can provide cohesive direction for how associations will:

formalize the capture and delivery of knowledge
codify and provide comprehensive uses for a body of knowledge
identify knowledge gaps and an approach for filling those gaps
implement and sustain communities of practice
evaluate and vet shared knowledge from the community
provide a filter for the knowledge objects created by the community

Factors for consideration

Increasing member service and value

A knowledge strategy provides a competitive advantage in an age of increasing demand from members for just the right information at just the right time. Associations need a knowledge strategy in order to capitalize on their position as both the knowledge experts as well as the filters of knowledge objects.

Where in the late 1990’s associations often referred to portals from a web perspective, a shift has occurred where associations can, with an appropriate knowledge strategy, aim to be a knowledge portals for their members.

However, this position can likely only be achieved with a formal strategy in place as opposed to the ad-hoc creation and distribution of knowledge. Within a formalized knowledge strategy associations would use tools cohesively to achieve the desired outcome.

Providing purpose

In addition to providing a framework for purposeful collection and distribution of knowledge, a knowledge strategy helps associations minimize adoption of tools without purpose. Associations historically have formed around shared knowledge but many still do not have infrastructures or systems in place to efficiently and effectively support knowledge operations.

Associations engaged around knowledge strategy:

American Institute of Architects
http://www.aia.org & eKnowledge site: http://www.soloso.org
Project Management Institute
http://www.pmi.org

Questions to ask when beginning the knowledge strategy process

What is the timeline and project plan for the knowledge strategy development? Are all key stakeholders aware of the scope of the project?
Have key performance indicators been identified for the knowledge strategy? If so, how will they be measured and does the project plan include measurable outcomes?
What processes will be put in place to keep the knowledge strategy on track?
How can the knowledge strategy aid with the tactical issues associations grapple with such as:

a. Members and associations using differing vocabulary to refer to the same things
b. Findability of knowledge and content through taxonomies and classification indexes and the updating process of those systems
c. How do social networking trends fit in to the knowledge strategy
d. The impact of globalization on knowledge sharing
e. Assessing the value and quality of shared knowledge objects

How do you account for the difference between tactical knowledge (how to do things) and strategic knowledge (deciding what things to do) and how different people use them differently?

Sources and further reading

Wikipedia’s Knowledge Management Entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management

Contributors to this entry:

Catherine Lincoln, CFRE, CAE
David McKnight
Rick Johnston, CAE
Mickie Rops, CAE
Greta Kotler, CAE
Peter Hutchins