Understanding Knowledge Management and Learning Essentials

Olivier D. Serrat
2009

The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this presentation and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this presentation do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

Learning Objectives
After the primer, the participants should be able to: 1. Define knowledge, knowledge management, and learning 2. Enumerate the core knowledge activities 3. Identify the pillars of knowledge management 4. Establish the link between knowledge management and learning 5. Discuss knowledge management and learning in ADB

Data, Information, and Knowledge

Data are discrete and objective facts, measurements, or observations that can be analyzed to generate information. Information is data that have been categorized, analyzed, summarized, and placed in context in a form that has structure and meaning. Knowledge is a combination of data and information, to which is added expert opinion, skills, and experience, resulting in a valuable asset that aids decision making. Knowledge is what you learn from experiencebefore, during, and after the event.

Knowledge Assets
Tacit Knowledge is Knowledge that people carry in their heads. Is rooted in skills, experiences, insights, intuition, and judgment. Is hard to communicate but can be shared in discussions, storytelling, and personal interactions.

Explicit Knowledge is Is codified knowledge. Can be expressed in writing, drawings, computer programs, etc. Can be transmitted in various forms.

Knowledge Assets

Explicit Knowledge = Media-based

Paper-based, multimedia, digitally indexed, digitally active, etc.

Tacit Knowledge = In peoples head

Core Knowledge Activities

Core knowledge activities are identified as widely used by an organization. Requirements 1. Activities should be aligned or integrated into business processes. 2. Activities should be balanced according to the specificities of each process and organization. A knowledge management solution should not focus only on one or two activities in isolation.
Identify Knowledge Create Knowledge

Use Knowledge

Store Knowledge

Share Knowledge

Knowledge Management
Knowledge management is The explicit and systematic management of processes enabling vital individual and collective knowledge resources to be identified, created, stored, shared, and used for benefit. The fusion of information management and organizational learning. Providing the right knowledge to the right people at the right time, and helping them apply it in ways that improve organizational performance.

Knowledge Management Architecture

Society Economy Environment Polity Technology

Strategic Framework
Leadership Organization Technology Learning

Leadership

Organization

Technology

Learning

Multiple Disciplines, including

Management Science Organizational Development Computer Science Cognitive Psychology

Knowledge Management Architecture

Pillar Function Typical Activity Identify knowledge critical to learning in ADB. Conduct work-centered analysis. Plan high-level strategic approach. Establish goal and prioritize objectives. Define requirements and develop measurement program. Promote values and norms. Implement strategy. Identify critical knowledge gaps, opportunities, and risks. Develop business process model. Engage key audiences with incentives. Enhance system integration and access. Deploy intelligent agents for people. Exploit semantic technologies. Reuse existing capabilities in new ways. Monitor, measure, and report knowledge performance metrics. Enliven collaboration. Facilitate communities of practice. Encourage storytelling. Recognize and reward knowledge sharing.

Leadership

Drive values for knowledge management.

Organization

Organize to support values for knowledge management.

Technology

Collect and connect knowledge.

Learning

Cultivate and utilize virtual teams and exchange forums for knowledge management.

Balanced Knowledge Management

Leadership

Organization

Technology

Learning

Knowledge Management Cycle

External and Internal Developments
Inventorizing Analyzing Strong Knowledge and and Organizational Context Weak Points

Conceptualize
Evaluating Results Defining Required Improvements

Review

Reflect
Planning Improvements

Comparing Old and New Situations

Act

Developing Knowledge Distributing Knowledge Combining Knowledge

Consolidating Knowledge

External and Internal Developments

Learning
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or instruction Learning is an integral part of knowledge management and its ultimate end. Learning is driven by organization, people, knowledge, and technology working in harmony urging better and faster learning, and increasing the relevance of an organization

Learning from Experience

Model of Learning Progression

Data Information Knowledge Wisdom

Know What

Know How

Know Why

Reductionist

Systemic

Results-Driven Management Model

Own
Future State

Use

Act

Support

Understand
Strong Personal Connection Intensifies

Current State

Hear

Knowledge Management and Learning in ADB

Knowledge Management in ADB moves ADB to improve its organizational culture, management systems, business processes and information technology solutions, communities of practice, and learning and development mechanisms Enhancing Knowledge Management under Strategy 2020: Action Plan (2009-2011) delivers knowledge solutions and knowledge services from four strategic thrusts: Sharpening the knowledge focus in operations Empowering communities of practice Strengthening external knowledge partnerships Further enhancing staff learning skills development

Summary
Knowledge is what you learn from experiencebefore, during, and after the event. Core knowledge activities widely used by an organization include identifying, creating, storing, sharing, and using knowledge. Knowledge management is providing the right knowledge to the right people at the right time, and helping them apply it in ways that improve organizational performance. Knowledge management is driven by organization-wide initiatives on four pillars: leadership, organization, technology, and learning.

Summary
Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or instruction. Learning is an integral part of knowledge management, and its ultimate end. It is driven by organization, people, knowledge, and technology working in harmony. Knowledge Management in ADB and Enhancing Knowledge Management under Strategy 2020: Plan of Action for 20092011 are two initiatives that propose outputs and outcomes that link knowledge management and learning in ADB.

The Promise of Knowledge Management

Performance Tomorrow
Leadership

Organization

Technology

Learning

Performance Today

Further Reading
ADB. 2008. Notions of Knowledge Management: Available: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/Notions-KnowledgeManagement.pdf ADB. 2008. Picking Investments in Knowledge Management. Available: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/PickingInvestments.pdf ADB. 2009. Glossary of Knowledge Management. Available: http://www.adb.org/documents/information/knowledge-solutions/glossary-of-knowledgemanagement.pdf ADB. 2009. The Roots of an Emerging Discipline. Available: http://www.adb.org/documents/information/knowledge-solutions/Roots-EmergingDiscipline.pdf ADB. 2009. Building a Learning Organization. Available: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/Building-a-LearningOrganization.pdf ADB. 2009. A Primer on Organizational Learning. Available: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/primer-onorganizational-learning.pdf ADB. 2009. Enhancing Knowledge Management Strategies. Available: http://www.adb.org/Documents/Information/Knowledge-Solutions/enhancing-knowledgemanagement-strategies.pdf ADB. 2009. InFocus: Knowledge Solutions. Available: http://www.adb.org/Media/InFocus/2009/knowledge-solutions.asp

Knowledge Management Center

Olivier D. Serrat
Principal Knowledge Management Specialist Knowledge Management Center Regional and Sustainable Development Department Asian Development Bank knowledge@adb.org www.adb.org/knowledge-management/