Notes Towards a Theory of Sustainable Knowledge ManagementAndrew GentAugust 2009

Copyright 2009 by Andrew Gent

2About This Presentation

The concepts presented here are the culmination of twenty-five years of learning and practice (not all in the field of KM). I began working on a theory of sustainable knowledge management over two years ago, when I became concerned that our efforts are particularly susceptible to the foibles and fluctuations of business strategy and budget planning. The ideas and opinions presented here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any current or past employers.

3Agenda

Defining Sustainable Knowledge Management

Principles of Sustainability Sustainability in Practice Final Thoughts

4Defining Sustainable Knowledge Management

5SustainabilitySustainable architecture is foremost about reimagining the relationship between human beings and living systems... How do we build now that there are six billion of us, now that our supply of natural capital water, wood, energy, land must be far more effectively used? How do we make zero-emission houses? How do we design structures that can be reincorporated into earth harmlessly and endlessly? How do we metabolize energy and water so that the sky and land improve rather than erode?

Paul Hawken, Sustainable Architecture, 2000

http://www.earthpledge.org/

6Rethinking Knowledge Management We need a similar reimagining of KM

practices. But rather than thinking in terms of

ecological footprint*, we need to think of how to reduce our impact in terms of human resources.

* Green computing is an admirable goal involving a set of ecologically sound IT practices. But green computing is not specific to KM. It applies equally to all uses of computers

7Defining Sustainable KM

Sustainable Knowledge Management is the design of KM initiatives with a smaller "footprint" in terms of: Cost Dedicated headcount Learning curve Unique time away from people's

"real" work

8Business Context We are all familiar with the issues:

Too few resourcesBudget cutsLack of attention or active participationLack of support (If we could only get

someone from upper management as a sponsor, we could...)

What if, rather than fighting these limitations, we accept them as reality and work to reduce KM's reliance on these diminishing resources?

9Current Issues

KM has a reputation for large, expensive programs.

Even small KM initiatives require a significant initial "push" in terms of cost, headcount, and executive attention.

There is no believable way to justify most KM programs (e.g. ROI)

Without direct bottom-line impact, KM is a constant target for budget cuts, fire drills, and downsizing.

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Principles of Sustainable KM

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Principles of Sustainable KM

Do not make KM extra work. Embed it in existing business processes.

Avoid "Change Management". Let change manage itself.

Design for humans, not data. Pay attention to the people, not the

policies. Eliminate the opposition.

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Sustainabilityin Practice Embedded KM Design to Zero (Re)Use What Exists Do It Yourself KM

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Embedded KM Embed KM practices in existing

business processesLook for milestones and knowledge hotspots

Benefits: Rapid adoption Tied to business metrics

Dangers: Trying to improve (i.e. change) processes to

make KM work better. Focusing on knowledge capture rather than how

knowledge is be used.

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Traditional

Design to Zero

BUDGET

Design to Zero Traditional Business Planning

Budget plans for initial push, but assumes ongoing maintenance.

Danger: if budget is cut, the program stops. Design to Zero

Plan to reach zero expense some delta after launch: Transfer expenses to other departments

(H/W to IT, management to teams) Develop self-managed processes

(e.g. wikis, bar camps) Embed in existing activities

(annual conferences, etc.)

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(Re)Use What Exists Look for untapped knowledge in:

Business systems (project data, people, work history)

Repositories (samples, best practices, lessons learned)

Events (Project reviews, sales gatherings, team training)

Cross-pollinate Invite others to events, open up systems.Often information is most useful to people

who aren't invited or don't know a resource exists.

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Do-It-Yourself KM When no KM practice exists, how do

businesses solve the KM problem?Bottom-up: Grassroots KM (wikis, forums,

social networks)Top down: KM services rather than programs

(quick setup, one day events, self-help guides)Guide to DIY KM

Dangers:Reinventing the wheelDocument-centric solutionsLocal solutions, global blindness

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Final Thoughts

Next Steps What About the Web 2.0

Revolution?

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Next Steps Not just another KM paradigm. Sustainability is applicable to all existing

KM approaches (knowledge harvesting, communities of practice, storytelling, etc.)

This is a work in progress. Having identified potential solutions, how do we help others move forward?Commitment to Sustainability?

(cf. the Designers Accord)Do-It-Yourself Guide to KM?Sustainable Consulting?

http://www.designersaccord.org/

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Final Thoughts What about Enterprise 2.0?

Doesn't the Web 2.0 revolution solve this problem?

No. What is free on the internet is not free inside the firewall. (Including servers, freedom of expression, and room to fail.)

Same issues as DIY KM

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For More Information:http:// incrediblydull.blogspot.com/ 2009/03/ notes-towards-theory-of-sustainable.html

Contact Info:Email: ajgent@yahoo.comBlog: http://incrediblydull.blogspot.com/Website: http://www.radiopoets.com/Twitter: http://twitter.com/AndrewGent

Questions?

Adaptive Knowledge ArchitecturesDisclaimerAgendaSlide 4Communities of PracticeSlide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Rethinking the ArchitectureSlide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20