Change agents such as CKOs are defined as "individuals who influence clients' innovation decisions in a direction deemed desirable by the change agency". In the context of this paper, we further define change agents as champions of knowledge management and the organizational memory. Furthermore, in the context of this model, we advocate the dual role of expert change agent and knowledge managers that we refer to as "knowledge champions". Thus, in addition to facilitating the acquisition of new knowledge from innovators, they also manage the complex process of knowledge acquisition, storage/archiving, and dissemination. As shown in this model, we envision knowledge champions performing the vital role of keeping the innovators focused on organizational goals and acquisition of knowledge that will be relevant and useful to the organization. They can play a similar role with those individuals who normally interact with outside sources of information. In addition, knowledge champions help manage the knowledge acquired so that it is archived correctly within directories that are logical and easy for people to find what they need. These knowledge champions could be the CKO of the firm of another knowledge manager.
We define domains within the organizational memory as knowledge centers. We also assume that knowledge champions would work within specific domains of expertise or knowledge centers. With increasing size and complexity, we envision more specialized knowledge champions. For example, within a large multidivisional pharmaceutical company, it would make more sense for knowledge champions to specialize in the distinct competencies of the major divisions such as OTC health and beauty products vs. specific prescription pharmaceuticals