A Standard for Knowledge Management:

Is this the Way Forward?

Is setting a standard for knowledge management (KM) the way forward? This was the theme of a half-day seminar organised by SPRING Singapore (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board) in July 2002.

During the seminar, KM experts from Australia, Europe, Singapore and the United Kingdom presented their views on standardising KM and gave insights into how companies could benefit by using the standards.

The seminar was held under the auspices of creating awareness of emerging standards trends to industry, which is one of the key initiatives under the Singapore Standardisation Strategy that was launched last year. Although KM is not a new subject, the concept of standards in KM is.

Setting the tone for the seminar, Mr Dave Snowden, Director for IBMCynefin Centre for Organisational Complexity gave his definition of KM – an area which often conjures up disparate views – as a tool to enable people to make better decisions or to create the space in which they can innovate. It is because of these that knowledge has a profound effect.

"The difference between a successful and unsuccessful organisation is not the processes or the quality standards. The things that make a difference are the ability to make timely decisions and the ability to create the space for innovation. This is actually what knowledge management is about," said Mr Snowden. 

On the European perspective, Mr Paul Hearn from the European Commission (EC), shared with participants on the European KM Forum – an open pan-European network of professionals managed by the EC and working together to promote European excellence in KM.

To date, guides for good KM practices have been developed. Chairman for the British Standards Institution (BSI) and CEN KM Standards Committee, Mr Ronald Young informed the participants of the development of the PAS2001 – Knowledge Management: A Guide to Good Practice.  Mr James Thomson, Projects Manager of Standards Australia International (SAI) also shared that a handbook “Knowledge Management: A Framework for Succeeding in the Knowledge Era” has been published by SAI.

CER