Why is Knowledge Management like Air Conditioning?

1. What can KM learn from air-conditioning? 6 lessons for Knowledge Management implementation Nick Milton Knoco ltd www.knoco.com

2. Let’s look at an analogy

3. Knowledge Management A system for providing knowledge To the people in your organisation So they operate effectively, and make the right decisions Air conditioning A system for providing cool temperatures To the people in your building So they operate effectively under the right conditions

4. Six similarities Both systems need to be complete You survey the site before you start work on either All parts of both systems need to work in your context If you put the parts together, they need to work You need an installation project, and team Both systems need to be maintained

5. #1 Both systems need to be complete

6. A KM system Won’t work unless key components are all in place KM technology is no good without roles, push processes are no good unless connected to pull, etc An air-conditioning system Won’t work unless key components are all in place Vents are no use without fans, fans need power, a/c units are no use without ducts, etc

7. What does a complete KM system look like? New roles and accountabilities New technologies New processes New governance procedures Connecting, and collecting Tacit and explicit Push and Pull Learning before, during and after

8. A template to check against S E From tacit I C From Explicit To Tacit To Explicit

9. #2. Survey the site before you start Uploaded to flickr on September 28, 2008 by JOE M500

10. A KM system What do you have already? Is it working OK? What needs to be replaced? What needs to be added? What knowledge needs to be managed? An air-conditioning system What do you have already? Is it working OK? What needs to be replaced? What needs to be added? Where is aircon needed?

11. Example KM survey

12. What knowledge?

13. #3 All the parts need to work in your context

14. A KM system Needs to fit your structure and hierarchy Your culture Your working habits An air-conditioning system Needs to fit your power system Your climate Your building layout

15. A KM tool, process, technology or role which works in US Engineering firms may not work in the government sector in Egypt so test it before you commit to it!

16. Testing the components Try each tool, and adapt if necessary * How does it work in our culture? * How would it fit our workstyle? * How would it fit our management structure? Adapt, then adopt.

17. #4. If you put all the components together, it has to work Uploaded to flickr on July 10, 2007 by Qfamily

18. A KM system Pilot it. Does it deliver value to the organisation? An air-conditioning system Test it – does the room get cooler, and stay at the correct temperature?

19. Value? If we introduce KM, can we do things Better Faster Cheaper Simpler Higher quality With fewer mistakes With better decisions By re-use, not reinvention With better customer satisfaction

20. Example pilots Winning in New Markets Best practice for “Winning Bids” KM system for learning from big IT projects Inspection community Knowledge asset/CoP on mergers and acquisitions ………

21. #5. You need an installation team and project Uploaded on April 10, 2009by madnzany

22. A KM system Prepare the site Install and test the processes and technologies Train people in their roles An air-conditioning system Prepare the site Install and test the equipment Train people how to operate it

23. The KM organisation The implementation team The steady-state organisation Maintain and operate the KM system Task force Accountable for delivering transformation and implementing KM

24. The plan How do we replace what’s missing? How do we fix what needs to be fixed? How long will it take? How much will it cost? Where will we start? Where will we test and pilot? When is installation complete?

25. #6. Both systems need to be maintained Uploaded on March 12, 2009by Jason Turner

26. A KM system Monitor that it’s working Fix any bits that need fixing Upgrade as required An air-conditioning system Monitor that it’s working Fix any bits that need fixing Upgrade as required

27. Activity monitoring

28. And the end result?

29. Cool people Smart People Uploaded on April 18, 2008by Or Hiltch Uploaded on November 6, 2008by Wonderlane

30. nick.milton@knoco.com www.knoco.com www.nickmilton.com