Knowledge handling provides a comprehensive standard which is covering all the relevant aspects for succeeding in managing knowledge. To facilitate its distribution and utilization, the standard can be read from different perspectives.
The importance of knowledge and how it is handled can be perceived differently on each of the three main levels of the organization.
The highest level is the strategic one. Knowledge is an asset that can be easily lost. Like any asset, it is used to generate value and when it is handled properly the value can grow exponentially and provide a strong advantage against competitors. Top management should take decisions about this strategic asset regularly.
The tactical level of knowledge handling focuses on mid-term decisions which are supporting the strategic ones, giving the operational level the right direction. Here important decisions are taken for certain areas of knowledge.
At the end of the day, operations are running the show. This is the knowledge handling level where the game is played. Authors are sharing their knowledge and readers can contribute by providing feedback.
There are two important dimensions to be considered when it comes to knowledge handling: people and organization. Knowledge handling is about sharing knowledge, it is a give and takes. People are sharing their knowledge within the organization. Other people have a benefit by learning faster, being more efficient and effective in their works and increasing their skills. On the other hand, companies can become more efficient, effective, and they give better continuity to their operations in case of unexpected events. Knowledge handling standards consider both dimensions and it provides tools to improve abilities to handle knowledge to a personal level and to a more holistic level as well.
Another important perspective is related to time. This clarifies when to start any knowledge handling initiatives and when to switch from a project to a process. More information about the standard is available in our documentation.