Getting Smart About Knowledge Management

“Getting Smart About Knowledge Management” on Information Week, August 16, 2018.

“The problem is not with the software; it’s with people,” observed Alan Zucker, founding principal of Project Management Essentials, which provides project management and agile services. “In corporate environments it’s extremely difficult to get people to contribute, maintain and use online reference platforms regardless of the quality of the software and interface.”

Zucker recommends that organization launching new, or rebooting existing, KM systems start with the basics, such as precisely what information is needed to maintain and operate the business. “Consider the best way to capture and communicate the information,” he said. “Does the system correspond to how the users will access and use the information?”

It’s also important to evolve the system as new needs arise. “Don’t make things too complicated,” Zucker advised. “Change will occur in the business and you want to minimize the amount of rework needed in the knowledge management system.”