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458 Part Three Key System Applications for the Digital Age

• Acting as change agents, evaluating, initiating, and promoting change projects

REQUIREMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE WORK SYSTEMS

Most knowledge workers rely on office systems, such as word processors, voice
mail, e-mail, videoconferencing, and scheduling systems, which are designed
to increase worker productivity in the office. However, knowledge workers also
require highly specialized knowledge work systems with powerful graphics,
analytical tools, and communications and document management capabilities.
These systems require sufficient computing power to handle the sophisti-
cated graphics or complex calculations necessary for such knowledge work-
ers as scientific researchers, product designers, and financial analysts. Because
knowledge workers are so focused on knowledge in the external world, these
systems also must give the worker quick and easy access to external databases.
They typically feature user-friendly interfaces that enable users to perform
needed tasks without having to spend a great deal of time learning how to use
the system. Knowledge workers are highly paid—wasting a knowledge work-
er’s time is simply too expensive. Figure 11.4 summarizes the requirements of
knowledge work systems.
Knowledge workstations often are designed and optimized for the specific
tasks to be performed; so, for example, a design engineer requires a different
workstation setup than a financial analyst. Design engineers need graphics
with enough power to handle three-dimensional (3-D) CAD systems. However,
financial analysts are more interested in access to a myriad number of exter-
nal databases and large databases for efficiently storing and accessing massive
amounts of financial data.

FIGURE 11.4 REQUIREMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE WORK SYSTEMS

Knowledge work systems require strong links to external knowledge bases in addition to specialized
hardware and software.

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