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Purchase options: |
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£39.95 Amazon.co.uk
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$69.95 amazon.com |
Details: |
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ISBN:1843341301
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Published by Chandos Publishing (Oxford) Ltd.
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Written by JK Suresh and Kavi Mahesh
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Book published February 2006
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Other opinions: |
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Review and customer comments at amazon.co.uk
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Title:
Ten Steps to Maturity in Knowledge Management: Lessons in Economy
Review:
JK Suresh and Kavi Mahesh have been involved in implementing Knowledge
Management (KM) at Infosys Technologies Ltd., an organisation
recognised publicly for its achievements at the global MAKE (Most
Admired Knowledge Enterprises) awards. Their practical experience
gives them credibility - the book includes a case study of how KM was
implemented in Infosys.
Lessons in the text are based on their own experiences as well as the
work of their global network of associates. They aim to share
information with practitioners seeking to implement a KM solution in
their own organisation. Those wishing to gain an understanding of the
practicalities of KM implementation and how it evolves from a
blueprint stage to full maturity will also find a use for this book.
The main theme is that KM should be regarded as a journey; there are
no quick and easy solutions. A KM programme is a significant change,
which presents its own challenges and opportunities. The authors
promote the idea that each organisation is different and that a
one-size-fits-all solution does not work when it comes to KM.
Different IT systems, company cultures and reward systems for
employees get in the way.
These complexities are explained through lessons in the book's five
parts, which take the reader from initial inception to final delivery
of an initiative. Some chapters include useful additional references
for those who want to research in more depth.
Throughout, the emphasis is on giving guidelines that demonstrate how
to implement the ideas. Here's an example of what you may expect:
Guidelines for garnering support for a KM initiative:
1. Start with a small scope and expand the scope incrementally to
cover the entire organisation.
2. Get the support of a local, congenial group for the initial scope.
3. Get support from enabling functions such as quality, education and
research.
4. At the same time, nurture the involvement and support of top
management and use their powers judiciously when needed to buy in a
constituency. A steering committee of top managers for guiding KM
strategy could be constituted.
5. Demonstrate the value of KM using the outcome of each step to
garner further support.
6. Seek voluntary participation in KM; do not mandate. For example a
message from the CEO saying 'you better do KM' could be
counterproductive.
7. Finally, alternate between carrots and sticks cautiously, i.e. show
potential benefits of KM for particular roles and teams, provide
incentives at times and, at other times when necessary, dictate
terms and enforce changes.
The guidelines are helpful, but sometimes I found myself asking, "HOW
do you do that?". Take starting with a small scope, how do you
choose where to concentrate your initial efforts? I advise my clients
to pick an area where they will be certain to get some quick
wins, and/or where they can learn lessons for wider organisational
dissemination. This type of extra guidance would be helpful.
As an experienced practitioner, I consider these guidelines to be full
of common sense. It is clear that the authors have given much thought,
not only to their own experiences, but also what other practitioners
have shared with them in terms of KM successes.
This is a very practical guide. Take from it the lessons that you need
and apply them appropriately to help you on your own KM journey.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Jela Webb, via her business, Azione Consulting, is a freelance
strategic advisor, consultant and trainer in information and knowledge
management, working with private and public sector clients. An
associate of Ashridge, Learnership and TFPL, she has implemented KM
programmes in FTSE 100 companies and has a particular interest in how
best to manage and motivate knowledge workers.
She is also a Visiting University and Business School Lecturer and
presents at KM conferences. As a writer, Jela has contributed articles
to FreePint and leading KM journals and is currently writing a
comprehensive report examining the use of KM tools and techniques to
support organisations to manage risk more effectively..
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