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The Knowledge Management Cycle 57

Practical Considerations for Managing Knowledge

It is important to understand the different stages of managing knowledge throughout
the KM cycle; however, it is not enough. From a practical perspective, in order to
manage knowledge, it is also necessary to have an organizing principle — a frame-
work — to classify the different types of activities and functions needed to deal with
all knowledge-related work within and between organizations. This framework is often
encapsulated in the form of a theory or model of KM. Several major KM models are
presented in the next chapter.

Key Points

• There are a number of different approaches to the knowledge management cycle
such as those by McElroy, Wiig, Bukowitz and Willams, and Meyer and Zack.
• By comparing and contrasting these and by validating them through experience
gained to date with KM practice, the major stages are identifi ed as knowledge capture
and creation, knowledge sharing and dissemination, and knowledge acquisition and
application.
• The critical processes throughout the KM cycle assess the worth of content based on
organizational goals contextualize content in order to better match with a variety of
users and continuously update with a focus on updating, archiving as required, and
modifying the scope of each knowledge object.

Discussion Points

1. Discuss the different KM cycles approaches and how they may be integrated into
a comprehensive, integrated approach to the effective management of knowledge
within an organization.
2. Provide an example of how each of the major KM cycle stages listed below can add
value to knowledge and increase the strategic worth of the knowledge asset:

a. Capture
b. Codify
c. Create
d. Share
e. Acquire
f. Apply