The need for on-demand, easily-accessible knowledge sharing is growing. What’s missing is more personalization in the knowledge sharing process so learners aren’t simply sent to a database to search for information. Person-to-person knowledge transfer fosters connection, productivity, and more comprehensive answers.
What Traditional Knowledge Management Looks Like
There are four main components of knowledge management as described by Michael E. D. Koenig (Former & Founding Dean, College of Information and Computer Science, Long Island University).
For a deeper history and overview of knowledge management as we know it today, read Dr. Koenig’s full article here.
- Content management involves making information available to learners via dashboards, portals, CMS software, and enterprise search software. It’s usually the first thing that comes to mind when we think of knowledge management. Storing curated content and resources is vital. But the search for information can become overwhelming when databases are bloated.
- Expertise location involves identifying who has expertise in a particular area. The majority of organizations struggle with this. Locating the right person can be difficult when experts are overseas, learners don’t know who to contact or how to contact them, or the organization uses a dated “yellow pages” system.
- Lessons learned uncover knowledge gained through doing. This information cannot be captured any other way. It’s also commonly referred to as “best practices.” Unfortunately, many don’t have the time to document lessons learned every time they have a problem, so information is lost.
- Communities of practice are groups of people with shared interests who gather to share stories, problems, discussion, and lessons learned. The downside of these groups is bureaucracy and a tendency to distract people from daily work.
While these components have developed into robust knowledge management programs over the years, they are still riddled with inefficiency. The major problem lies in using the wrong knowledge management tools—or using none at all. We believe there’s a better way to enable more rapid knowledge sharing.
Knowledge Originates in People, Not Systems
If we truly want to improve productivity, we need to start by connecting a learner directly to an expert—not to a system or database. We aren’t saying it should be a free-for-all where experts are inundated with emails, texts, and Slack messages. We know how easily SMEs can be overloaded with an influx of questions. Instead, it’s a matter of selecting the right tools that enable on-demand, personalized knowledge sharing.
As long as you have the right tool, it can actually make the learning process easier and more effective. That’s what EVAN360 is all about.
It’s usually quicker and easier to directly ask someone for help. Talking with the right expert provides the learner with the most accurate information and saves time spent digging through a database. In turn, the learner can share their newfound knowledge with others. It’s a win all around.
EVAN360 is built to enable faster and more personal knowledge transfer by connecting learners directly with experts in minutes. Companies organize a network of experts to whom learners can connect whenever they have a question. The right expert can pick up a request in minutes and provide assistance in the moment. It frees learners from database overload and the uncertainty of who to contact for help. Ultimately, it improves productivity and gives employees a better working experience.
EVAN360 makes a better learning experience easier and possible.
