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Knowledge Management Tools 269

One strategy for navigating through all of this complexity is to categorize the dif-
ferent types of KM tools. Ruggles (1997) provides a good classifi cation of KM technolo-
gies as tools that intervene in the knowledge processing phases:

• To enhance and enable knowledge generation, codifi cation, and transfer
• That generate knowledge (e.g., data mining that discover new patterns in data)
• That code knowledge to make knowledge available for others
• That transfers knowledge to decrease problems with time and space when commu-
nicating in an organization

Rollet (2003) classifi es KM technologies according to the following scheme:
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Content creation
• Content management
• Adaptation
• E-learning
• Personal tools
• Artifi cial intelligence
• Networking
Rollet ’ s (2003) categories can also be grouped according to what phase of the KM
cycle they occur in (refer to fi gure 8.1 ).
The initial knowledge capture and creation phase does not make extensive use of
technologies. Methods of converting tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge were
discussed in chapter 4. A wide range of diverse KM technologies may be used to
support knowledge sharing and dissemination as well as knowledge acquisition and
application. Table 8.1 lists the major KM tools, techniques and technologies currently
in use. The underlying theme is that of a toolkit. Many tools and techniques are bor-
rowed from other disciplines and others are specifi c to KM. All of them need to be
mixed and matched in the appropriate manner in order to address all of the needs of
the KM discipline. The choice of tools to include in the KM toolkit must be consistent
with the overall business strategy of the organization.