The document proposes a wearable device to help knowledge workers more easily connect with colleagues who have relevant expertise. The device would scan the work environment to locate colleagues and display their profiles. This would help users get acquainted on their first day, find experts to assist with projects, and record daily interactions for future reference. Next steps include additional research, ideation, and exploring technologies to realize the concept.

1. Thesis: KM for Consultancies Thesis Studio: Fall 2009 Amber Krishan | MFA DT

2. Key Question? How can knowledge be leveraged across organizations in all its granularity?

3. The Need Knowledge is stored in databases and archives! Users face a steep learning curve with each new archive. Don’t make me search through archives! I just need to ask someone. I just don’t know who! Knowledge in all its granularity resides within the minds of the employees. Corporate environment does not facilitate conversation, rather enforces technologies which create a social divide.

4. The Concept Wearable device that scans the work environment to locate relevant colleagues. Led indicator lights up to alert the user when it locates relevant domain experts LCD screen displays useful information about the colleague

6. Scenario 1 Getting to know others: Getting to know people within an organization is hard. It is important to know others to make friends, understand your peers and often to get familiarized with clients. My project would allow users to view relevant broadcasted information from the devices of colleagues and clients. John comes to office. Its his first day. He doesn’t know anyone. As he turns on his device, it captures relevant data about his colleagues within the office space. John now views the data on the LCD screen and starts a conversation John uses the device to select colleagues that he would like connect with. The device broadcast approved information about John to selected colleagues.

7. Scenario 2 Finding help for Work in Progress: Colleagues across the organization might be working on projects similar to what the user is working on. Sharing knowledge and experience across such projects can be beneficial for all. John comes to office. He needs to start preparing an audit report. He turns on his device to search mode to locate colleagues who are currently working or have worked on similar topics. John now selects the colleague with the best match and starts a conversation The device locates a number of colleagues who might be able to able to help and displays on the LCD screen. John needs some help to get started on the report. He is looking for best practice examples. ?

8. Scenario 3 Recording Interactions: The device would capture the interactions with colleagues that the user might have in a day. The user can then later view the list of contact details and matching domains. John comes to office. He reaches workstation and switches on the PC/laptop He turns on his device and sets it to capture mode. Reaches out to colleagues and exchanges typical morning greetings He then reaches out to the team and understands the overall plan of the day During the day he connects on conference calls and attends meetings with the partner to appraise them of the progress At the end of the day, John downloads the collected data from the device to his laptop. He reviews the various interactions he had within the day and plans for tomorrow.

9. Other forms that the device may take Name tag type devices swapping relevant information Device with knob type control to set focus of search to particular service lines

10. Next Steps Continue further research Further ideation Explore possible technologies early on