KM@BU
So, given this context, why does BU need KM,
and what would KM practice at BU look like?
Before we examine these two questions it might
be useful to understand a little more about what KM
actually is, and whether there is a definition of KM
that we can use at BU? The answer to this latter
question is both yes and no. Yes in that there are
literally hundreds [4] of definitions of KM already
in use across the business world, and no in that we
don’t yet have a clear enough understanding of the
strategy and requirements for KM at BU, and that
consequently providing a definition of KM at BU
before we have that understanding in place would be
foolish indeed.
I have learned, often by bitter experience, over
the last 10 to 15 years that everyone has their own
understanding and definition of what KM means: and
this is entirely appropriate. There is no one-size-fitsall
definition to be had. Every organization faces
its own, often unique, challenges where KM is concerned,
and therefore every one of those thousands
of possible definitions of KM is right for someone.
However, in order to provide a level of understanding
of the topic, I would suggest that the following description
(not definition) of KM would be appropriate:
KM is the process of capturing and
distributing an organization’s collective
expertise and knowledge to create
the best possible support for the
organization’s strategic goals and
objectives.