Knowledge Management Tools

The third in the readers series Resources for the Knowledge-Based Economy, Knowledge Management Tools analyzes the use of knowledge management tools in the past, present and future. It helps managers and companies utilize what they know. The selections in this volume were carefully chosen to represent the strengths and weaknesses, and pros and cons of using technology to support knowledge-based activities. They acknowledge that, although tools alone are not the answer to the difficult questions surrounding knowledge management, if utilized effectively tools can open up new realms of innovation and efficiency for today's knowledge-driven businesses.

Knowledge management (KM) - or the practice of using information and collaboration technologies and processes to capture organizational learning and thereby improve business performance - is becoming one of the key disciplines in management, especially in large companies. Many books, magazines, conferences, vendors, consultancies, Web sites, online communities and email lists have been formed around this concept. This practical book focuses on the vast offerings of KM solutions—technology, content, and services. The focus is not on technology details, but on how KM and IT practitioners actually use KM tools and techniques. Over twenty case studies describe the real story of choosing and implementing various KM tools and techniques, and experts analyse the trends in the evolution of these technologies and tools, along with opportunities and challenges facing companies harnessing them. Lessons from successes and failures are drawn, along with roadmaps for companies beginning or expanding their KM practice. The introductory chapter presents a taxonomy of KM tools, identifies IT implications of KM practices, highlights lessons learned, and provides tips and recommendations for companies using these tools. Relevant literature on KM practices and key findings of market research groups and industry consortia such as IDC, Gartner and APQC, are presented. The majority of the book is devoted to case studies, featuring clients and vendors along the entire spectrum of solutions: hardware (e.g. handheld/wearable devices), software (e.g. analytics, collaboration, document management) and content (e.g. newsfeeds, market research). Each chapter is structured along the "8Cs" framework developed by the author: connectivity, content, community, commerce, community, capacity, culture, cooperation and capital. In other words, each chapter addresses how appropriate KM tools and technologies help a company on specific fronts such as fostering adequate employee access to knowledge bodies, user-friendly work-oriented content, communities of practice, a culture of knowledge, learning capacity, a spirit of cooperation, commercial and other incentives, and carefully measured capital investments and returns. Vendor history, product/service offerings, implementation details, client testimonials, ROI reports, and future trends are highlighted. Experts in the field then provide third-party analysis on trends in KM tools and technique areas, and recommendations for KM practitioners.

Knowledge Management is the process by which an organization identifies, creates, manages and delivers information to enhance workforce performance.KM is a discipline that promotes an integrated approach to identifying, capturing, evaluating, retrieving, and sharing all of an enterprise's information assets. These assets may include databases, documents, policies, procedures, and previously un-captured expertise and experience in individual workers. All these issues are covered in thirty three s in the book broadly divided into the following five sections. Fundamentals of Knowledge Management, Latest Tools and Techniques for Knowledge Management, Databases, Data mining, Knowledge Discovery in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Data mining and Knowledge Discovery in Agriculture and Allied Fields, Indigenous Knowledge Protection and IPR Issues The book contains original research and case studies by academic and research contributors on strategies, tools, techniques and technologies for Knowledge Management. The focus of this book is on the identification of innovative KM strategies and the application of theoretical concepts to real-world situations. This first serves as a complete introduction to the concepts and principles of KM, starting with basics of data, information, knowledge and wisdom. Clarified differences among Explicit, Implicit and Tacit Knowledge. The book also covers traditional KM approaches as well as emerging topics such as cloud computing, Semantic Web, Rough Computing, Fuzzy logic, Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, social networks, Tools and Techniques for Geo Spatial Data Knowledge Discovery. The focus of the book is on how KM impacts organizations and individuals and steps that should be taken to maximize benefits, including directions for how to select, develop, and evaluate KM systems.

Knowledge is a valuable resource that must be managed well for any organization to thrive. Proper knowledge management practices can improve business processes by creating value, however, the available tools meant to aid in the creation, collection, and storage of information have drastically changed since the emergence of social media. By using this collaborative online application for engaging with information, organizations are able to precisely disseminate knowledge to the correct audience. Harnessing Social Media as a Knowledge Management Tool explores the usage of social media in managing knowledge from multiple dimensions highlighting the benefits, opportunities and challenges that are encountered in using and implementing social media. This publication endeavors to provide a thorough insight into the role of social media in knowledge management from both an organizational and individualistic perspective. This book elucidates emerging strategies perfect for policy makers, managers, advertisers, academics, students, and organizations who wish to effectively manage knowledge through social media.

A software architecture manifests the major early design decisions, which determine the system’s development, deployment and evolution. Thus, making better architectural decisions is one of the large challenges in software engineering. Software architecture knowledge management is about capturing practical experience and translating it into generalized architectural knowledge, and using this knowledge in the communication with stakeholders during all phases of the software lifecycle. This book presents a concise description of knowledge management in the software architecture discipline. It explains the importance of sound knowledge management practices for improving software architecture processes and products, and makes clear the role of knowledge management in software architecture and software development processes. It presents many approaches that are in use in software companies today, approaches that have been used in other domains, and approaches under development in academia. After an initial introduction by the editors, the contributions are grouped in three parts on "Architecture Knowledge Management", "Strategies and Approaches for Managing Architectural Knowledge", and "Tools and Techniques for Managing Architectural Knowledge". The presentation aims at information technology and software engineering professionals, in particular software architects and software architecture researchers. For the industrial audience, the book gives a broad and concise understanding of the importance of knowledge management for improving software architecture process and building capabilities in designing and evaluating better architectures for their mission- and business-critical systems. For researchers, the book will help to understand the applications of various knowledge management approaches in an industrial setting and to identify research challenges and opportunities.

Provides comprehensive, in-depth coverage of all issues related to knowledge management, including conceptual, methodological, technical, and managerial issues. Presents the opportunities, future challenges, and emerging trends related to this subject.

Knowledge Management in Libraries: Concepts, Tools and Approaches brings to the forefront the increasing recognition of the value of knowledge and information to individuals, organizations, and communities, providing an analysis of the concepts of Knowledge Management (KM) that prevails among the Library and Information Science (LIS) community. Thus, the book explores knowledge management from the perspective of LIS professionals. Furthermore, unlike most books on the topic, which address it almost exclusively in the context of a firm or an organization to help gain a competitive advantage, this book looks at knowledge management in the context of not for profit organizations such as libraries. Describes the theory and approaches of knowledge management in the context of librarianship Seeks to identify and explain the principles that underlie the different processes of knowledge management Combines the theoretical and practical perspectives of the topic Provides a comprehensive and methodological approach to support librarians and information science professionals in the implementation of knowledge management in libraries and information centers Proposes a model for libraries and information centers which may be used as a guide for implementation Incorporates illustrations where necessary to provide a clear understanding of the concepts

Nowadays, there is software everywhere in our life. It controls cars, airplanes, factories, medical implants. Without software, banking, logistics and transportation, media, and even scientific research would not function in the accustomed way. Building and maintaining software is a knowledge-intensive endeavour and requires that specific experiences are handled successfully. However, neither knowledge nor experience can be collected, stored, and shipped like physical goods, instead these delicate resources require dedicated techniques. Knowledge and experience are often called company assets, yet this is only part of the truth: it is only software engineers and other creative employees who will effectively exploit an organisation's knowledge and experience. Kurt Schneider’s textbook is written for those who want to make better use of their own knowledge and experience – either personally or within their group or company. Everyone related to software development will benefit from his detailed explanations and case studies: project managers, software engineers, quality assurance responsibles, and knowledge managers. His presentation is based on years of both practical experience, with companies such as Boeing, Daimler, and Nokia, and research in renowned environments, such as the Fraunhofer Institute. Each chapter is self-contained, it clearly states its learning objectives, gives in-depth presentations, shows the techniques’ practical relevance in application scenarios, lists detailed references for further reading, and is finally completed by exercises that review the material presented and also challenge further, critical examinations. The overall result is a textbook that is equally suitable as a personal resource for self-directed learning and as the basis for a one-semester course on software engineering and knowledge management.