What is Knowledge Management&

Why should we care?

Rajiv Ranjan, Advisor, The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) / UNDP

Thoughts.

1. The most important asset NISR possesses isthe knowledge and ability of its staff.

2. The productivity of NISR depends on howeffectively staff share their competence witheach other.

What is Knowledge Management?

What is Knowledge Management?

Can be answered better, by breaking the question into two parts

What is Knowledge Management? 1. What is

Knowledge? Can be answered better, by breaking the

question into two parts

What is Knowledge Management? 1. What is

Knowledge?

2. What is Knowledge

Management?

Can be answered better, by breaking the question into two parts

What is Knowledge Management? 1. What is

Knowledge?

2. What is Knowledge

Management?

Can be answered better, by breaking the question into two parts

Knowledge is “Information Combined with Experience,

Context, interpretation, and reflection.”

…

1. What is Knowledge?

Defining Knowledge

1. What is Knowledge?

Data Becoming Knowledge

Data - Facts and figures which relay something specific, but which are not organised in any way

Information - is data that has been processed to provide further meaning

Knowledge - is information that has been analyzed to provide meaning or value

1. What is Knowledge?

Explicit & Tacit Knowledge

Explicit knowledge can be captured, written down and presented in documents and databases.

Tacit knowledge is the knowledge in our heads. It is much less concrete and more difficult to document and measure, however, it is more valuable because it provides context. Tacit knowledge requires personal contact and trust to share effectively.

Explicit knowledge

Tacit knowledge

Knowledge Management (KM) is the systematic processes by which knowledge needed for an organization to succeed is created, captured, shared and leveraged.

2. What is Knowledge

Management?

Defining Knowledge Mgmt

Knowledge identification & Capture

Knowledge storage

Knowledge sharing

Knowledge application & use

Knowledge creation

The objective is to get theright knowledge to the rightpeople at the right time.

Connecting those who knowwith those who need to know

2. What is Knowledge

Management?

A Key KM Objective

People: KM is first and foremost a

people issue. Getting an organisation’s

culture (including values and

behaviours) right for KM is typically the

most important but difficult challenge.

Processes: In order to improve

knowledge flows, organisations need

to make changes to the way their

internal processes are structured and

sometimes even the organisational

structure itself.

Technology: Technology (Knownet,

Intego, Email, etc.) is an essential

enabler, but it must foremost serve the

organisation's people and processes.

2. What is Knowledge

Management?

Three Pillars of KM

People

Processes Technology

Why should we care about KM at

NISR?

Why should we care about KM at

NISR?

There are two aspects to think about.

Why should we care about KM at

NISR?1. Statistics as

knowledge products for evidence-based policy and decision

making There are two aspects to think about.

Why should we care about KM at

NISR?1. Statistics as

knowledge products for evidence-based policy and decision

making

2. Organizational Knowledge

Management

There are two aspects to think about.

Why should we care about KM at

NISR?1. Statistics as

knowledge products for evidence-based policy and decision

making

2. Organizational Knowledge

Management

There are two aspects to think about.

1. Statistics as knowledge products for evidence-based policy and decision

making

KM in National Statistical System

• Statistics are a key knowledge

products (indicators for

performance measures) for

policy and decision makers

• As knowledge sharing increases

among the members of NSS the

network becomes stronger and

more reliable

• NISR could be an early centre of

KM revolution in government,

leading coordinated and

collaborative functioning

NISR

NISR coordinating the NSS

2. Organizational Knowledge

Management

Some good reasons for KM in NISR

• We spend 20-30% of our time searching for information

• Beat turnover of personnel/consultants

• Leverage wisdom of the entire organization

• Prevent re-inventing the wheel

• Make NISR a learning organization –create, acquire, transfer and retain knowledge

• Improve efficiency and enhance organizational performance while reducing costs

• Create and foster ‘Communities of Practice’Aimed at organizational transformation

2. Organizational Knowledge

Management

What behaviors are needed?

• Recognition that ‘Know-how’ spanswider than just one department orsection.

• The habit of stopping to think aboutwhat we have achieved, and how weachieved it, in order to learn.

• Openness to the ideas of others.

• Willingness to look for help.

• The generosity to offer help when it isrequested.

BEHAVIOURINTENT

From “ Knowledge is Power”to “Knowledge Shared is Power.”

The journey that we need to take: Together we stand!!!

Thank you!@rajiv_r_in