Post Script: Summary of KM Stories

Here is the complete list of the six stories about knowledge management implementations I recently posted. There are many more stories and perhaps I will do a second series.

Case One - Listening to the Users

Case Two – Need for Cross-Functional Support

Case Three – Reducing the Learning Curve

Case Four – Gaining Support at All Levels

Case Five – Integrating Learning and KM

Case Six – Aligning Motivation

A composite set of Lessons Learned includes the following twelve factors. They are all important but perhaps the first eight are the most important. No one story had all of them but the successful ones addressed most of them. Those that failed to reach their promise ignored some of the key ones or did them poorly. Here they are:

Gain and Enlist Top Down Support to Overcome Turf Issues

Provide Strong Leadership for the Knowledge Function

Align Knowledge Strategy to Business Strategy

Align Knowledge Applications to Key Business Goals and Process

Develop a Clear Business Case

Design Measures Aligned to Business Processes

Listen to the Users, Involve Them in the Design

Simplify the Access of Knowledge

Develop a Clear Communication Plan to Promote the Effort

Involve all the Key Stakeholders

Integrate Learning and Knowledge Management

Develop a Clear Motivation Plan that Aligns with Current Motivation Plans