Most companies are focused on producing a product or service for customers. However, one of the most significant keys to value-creation comes from placing emphasis on producing knowledge. The production of knowledge needs to be a major part of the overall production strategy.
One of the biggest challenges behind knowledge management is the dissemination of knowledge. People with the highest knowledge have the potential for high levels of value creation. But this knowledge can only create value if it's placed in the hands of those who must execute on it. Knowledge is usually difficult to access – it leaves when the knowledge professional resigns.
Therefore, knowledge management is often about managing relationships within the organization. Collaborative tools (intranets, balanced scorecards, data warehouses, customer relations management, expert systems, etc.) are often used to establish these relationships. Some companies have developed knowledge maps, identifying what must be shared, where can we find it, what information is needed to support an activity, etc. Knowledge maps codify information so that it becomes real knowledge (Matt H. Evans 2010).