The specific activities and priorities of a knowledge manager may vary depending on the size, industry, and unique needs of an organization. However, the primary objective of a knowledge manager is always to establish a suitable framework for gathering and organizing company knowledge, followed by its appropriate placement fr easy accessibility by others as well as taking relevant measures to drive awareness and adoption through various collaboration channels.

It is imperative to ensure that the knowledge is readily available to all stakeholders, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency.

Here are some key focus areas for any knowledge manager to successfully establish and implement a KM framework that does not burn out in the long run but actually becomes a part of the organizational culture and day-to-day working of all the employees.

Leading an organization through a significant cultural change will be much easier if you’ve got a team of champions or SPOCs to drive awareness and adoption. That’s why one of the first things you should do as a knowledge manager is finding the employees in your organization who are equally on board with the idea of knowledge management and its perks and are ready to work with you to drive the KM change within their teams.

1. Creating a Knowledge Army

Ideally, you want a team of knowledge champions or SPOCs from different, teams, service lines, offerings, and regions.  Look for people who can influence others to prioritize knowledge management. Sure, technology is important, but it’s the right people who will create the culture change you need and build a knowledge-sharing and collaborative culture. So, focus on finding those rockstar team members and you’ll be well on your way to success!

2. Getting Top Leadership Buy-In and Support

Bringing the senior leadership on board is the first step as well as can prove to be the biggest challenge if your KM plan does not align with the strategic goals and business priorities and clearly highlights the tangible benefits, KM can offer to the organization.

You do not only require their buy-in but also support to drive KM adoption top-down by aligning it with organization culture, and employee growth roadmap. With their backing, the knowledge manager can focus on identifying and implementing strategies that yield immediate results. These quick wins serve as a catalyst for change and help build momentum toward a more comprehensive knowledge management system.

3. Keep Uour Focus on Cultural-level Change

It is a common challenge for workers to resist change, and this is especially true when it comes to knowledge management initiatives. This resistance is not due to a lack of understanding of the value of such initiatives, but rather because workers are already overwhelmed with their existing workload. Collaborating with stakeholders across the organization is essential for implementing a culture of knowledge management successfully. Sharing a vision and establishing a shared mission is crucial to this collaboration defining the value of knowledge management practices for each team. By doing so, workers will understand how knowledge management can ease their workload and provide opportunities for skill development, visibility, and career growth.

When workers understand the importance of supporting knowledge management, and leaders are committed to making it happen, the organization can make the necessary changes to the value system of knowledge workers. This shift in mindset can drive greater collaboration and ultimately lead to a more successful and efficient organization.

Ekta Sachania has 15 years of experience in learning and talent development disciplines, including knowledge management content management, and learning & collaboration with expertise in content harvesting, practice enablement, metrics analysis, site management, collaboration activities, communications strategy and market trends analysis. Demonstrated success in managing multiple stakeholder expectations across time zones and exhibiting good project management skills, by successfully developing and deploying projects for large audiences.  Ability to adapt and work in emerging areas with fast-shifting priorities.  Connect with Ekta at LinkedIn...

Featured Blog: How Knowledge Management Leads to Cost Savings