Knowledge Tools Yale BraunsteinJune 2004
Agenda • What are Knowledge Tools? • Features of Knowledge Tools • Examples • Detailed look at Knowledge Maps I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples Source: Center for Business Innovations, Ernst & Young LLP
Knowledge Tools • technology that enables knowledge generation, codification transfer • not all are computer based • not information management tools • can manipulate information • automated information search, retrieval agents, decision support, document management • useful in many cases, but information lacks richness, individuality, full context knowledge I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples (Therefore, hire a librarian!)
Kinds of Knowledge Tools • Tools for Knowledge Management should • provide the following features: • Knowledge… • generation • codification • modification I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Generation • new ideas • recognition of new patterns • synthesis of separate disciplines • development of new processes • continuous improvement and growth through innovation • requires tools which enable the acquisition, synthesis, and creation of knowledge I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Acquisition • Software uses a knowledge chart, user interest profiles and other components to add value to information • Knowledge chart: documents representing the organization's knowledge and information, hierarchically organized • Profiler function uses the knowledge chart to assign keywords to a new document • “Gatekeepers” sort documents of certain types • high value-added knowledge transfer I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Synthesis • relies on bringing ideas together • often from extremely diverse sources • recombining them in unique ways • creating new ideas from pre-existing Tools: • associative lists of words and phrases • graphical mind or concept maps I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Creation • Tools try to: • break away users from their existing mental models • Methods: • random thought exercises • point-counterpoint drills • Role of Artificial Intelligence I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Codification • … is the representation of knowledge such that it can be accessed and transferred • nearly impossible to talk about knowledge in terms of discrete units • point-counterpoint drills • Typology of knowledge-base: • Process, Factual, Catalog, Cultural • Explicit or tacit knowledge I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
much more complex than only databases • hold and allow access to much more than traditional data and information • Solutions: • pattern recognition • optimization algorithms • artificial intelligence-based applications • Combined with: • expert systems • user-friendly front-end • keeping the knowledge-base current and lively Knowledge-bases I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
“Cognitive Authority” • overall quality of the knowledge is indicative of its depth • provide relevant, high-quality knowledge to people overtly • Problem with Google & Co: • high but uncertain quality of search results I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Knowledge Maps(details later) • mapping out where to find the ideas • wide variety of shapes and sizes • Solutions: • continuously comment, update, explore the nodes or destinations on the map • chart the knowledge flows within a process I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Organizational Thesaurus and Dictionary • share information within the organization • Solutions: • industry, business, and organizational simulators • genetic algorithms and other advanced technologies • effective knowledge transfer I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Temporal Distance • time barrier in two ways: historical and current • often more voicemails used then talking • Solutions: • Tools which allow an ongoing dialogue among or between individuals over time can help (Forums, Groupware) • hold not only the current discussion but also the evolutionary threads of the conversations and interactions I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
Other Points • Social Distance • tools help to avoid or bridge hierarchical, functional, and cultural differences • Relationship Mapping • establish better and more organic incentives for knowledge transfer I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples
What is a Knowledge Map? • Visual representations of complex systems • Useful for modeling systems, workgroup collaboration, collection & presentation of inter-related information • Hierarchical: allows for both broad overview and "tunneling" down to narrower focus • Allows for linking to other maps and to source material (internal or external) I. Agenda 1. What is a KMAP? 2. KMAP key comp. 3. KMAP overview 4.. Sample maps
Example: MindManager I. Agenda 1. What are KT’s? 2. Features 3. Examples MindManager: http://www.mindjet.com/
KMAP key components • Visual presentation at some level • Concept catalog (allows links to other maps, even with different lexicons) • Metadata depository (files and links) Brief history of one example: • Viewer never made it past "beta" • "Back end" components converted to Java & XML; company sold to Interwoven; now their "MetaTagger" product line I. Agenda 1. What is a KMAP? 2. KMAP key comp. 3. KMAP overview 4.. Sample maps
KMAP window overview I. Agenda 1. What is a KMAP? 2. KMAP key comp. 3. KMAP overview 4.. Sample maps
Sample problem: • Understanding complex linkages in a multi-sheet Excel financial model • Use hyperlinks or block diagrams built into Excel • Paste in diagram from Visio • Create external knowledge map I. Agenda 1. What is a KMAP? 2. KMAP key comp. 3. KMAP overview 4.. Sample maps
Sample KMAP
