All Knowledge Management solutions and techologies are based on the concept of bringing order into chaos and focussing the knowledge wealth of a Company. While the fissured nature of knowledge demands such managerial techniques, it also demands a holistic approach towards integration.
Knowledge Integration is not a current 'buzzword' or some new fangled corporate communication and management technique. Such integration across domains have been carried out in a limited fashion. What it does aim is at utilising the 'knowledge centres' already present to optimise the Return Accrued from such investment.
In normal course, companies possess 'knowledge centres' or more importantly 'knowledge silos'. These are defined as centres of domain specific knowledge populated with Subject Matter Experts. Such vertical portals of knowledge are isolated from one another and do not function as a complete whole towards utilising the resource pool. Such isolationist tendencies are the result of factions as well as 'turf wars' between the various departments and divisions. The consequence of such events means that the knowledge flow is stemmed. Knowledge Integration aims to integrate these knowledge silos and leverage their domain expertise.
So does such Knowledge Integration mean that the information is available for all to access ? The short answer is no. Knowledge Integration methodologies seek to leverage the domain expertise so as to ensure that the channel of knowledge is uninterrupted. Accurate and in-time information is the main requirement in managerial decision making processes. Integration of knowledge centres in a seamless transparent manner ensures that such decision making is based on the 'complete picture' of data flows. It seeks to utilise and optimise existing business processes of knowledge acquiring across vertical domains and present a coherent picture. Knowledge integration uses tools from Content Management Systems, Knowledge Management Systems and Document Management Systems to attain the objective.
With proper implementation across the functional processes and authorisation, Knowledge Integration provides an easier alternative to massive Business Process Restructuring in relation to Knowledge Management
Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay is a Free Software enthusiast and a practitioner of KM techniques. His personal blog is at :
Random Thoughts
and he can be reached at :
Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay. His other writings on technology of OpenSource can be found at iLUG-Kolkata - May the source be with you and AsiaOSC - Open Source and Free Software Centre
- posted by sankarshan @ 4/09/2003 07:32:00 PM
