What are the best practices and tools for explicit to explicit knowledge combination?

Imagine it as charting a roadmap that connects vital information within your organization seamlessly. Start by defining specific goals, such as improving team collaboration or streamlining project workflows. Identify key knowledge sources and formats like documents, databases, or project repositories. Utilize collaborative platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or knowledge bases like SharePoint for centralized access. Encourage systematic documentation and metadata tagging for easy retrieval and categorization. Regularly review and update content to ensure accuracy and relevance. Tailor your approach to suit your team's workflow and preferences, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the value of explicit knowledge integration.

Sometimes consolidating/combining knowledge is not necessary or valuable. For example, tax advisors deal with highly complex situations that are highly fact dependent. It might not be wise to consolidate this into one place. Instead, focus on building collections so that people can access the nuanced facts and outcomes. But if you are dealing with more standardised situations, e.g. contracts, it might be wise to consolidate more. The last people want are 10,000 prior examples of work product when one "master" version is far more easily accessible.

A clear purpose will answer the WHY, and what the explicit knowledge seek to achieve. This is will support the project and its deliverables to stick to the plan and keep it in its tracks as with knowledge the depth and width is immense. It also helps to align the project with the overall organisation strategy and vision that is key for a knowledge management process. Each organisation will have a different purpose for combining the explicit knowledge and this informs the parameters of the process.

Another example is leveraging software like Microsoft SharePoint to merge policy documents and best practice guides. By linking and tagging related content, you create a cohesive and easily navigable knowledge base for your team. Think of it as mixing ingredients for a perfect recipe – each explicit source adds its unique flavour to the final dish!

I recall a time when our team sought industry trends but found outdated sources and conflicting information. We refined our approach by leveraging reliable databases, expert networks, and current market reports. This experience underscores the importance of not just finding sources but critically evaluating their relevance, reliability, and timeliness. Implementing robust evaluation criteria—like source reputation, accuracy, and authority—helps sift through the noise, ensuring that acquired knowledge is not just abundant but also trustworthy. Additionally, leveraging technology tools for data analysis and expert insights enhances this process, turning raw information into actionable knowledge gems for organizational success.

Sometimes it is necessary to engage with end-users to see where they have hidden away their work product. Ideally, they are storing/saving things consistently but this is not always the case.

For combining explicit to explicit knowledge, start by using summaries and charts to extract key insights from your documents. For instance, summarise research papers and use charts to highlight critical data points. This approach makes information easily digestible and actionable.

In my previous role as a knowledge manager for a consulting firm, we faced challenges with organizing and utilizing explicit knowledge across diverse projects. We implemented a structured framework using a combination of knowledge management tools such as Microsoft SharePoint and collaborative platforms like Microsoft Teams. By identifying key sources such as project documents, case studies, and client insights, we organized information into easily accessible categories with metadata tags for quick retrieval. Regular team workshops and training sessions encouraged collaboration and knowledge sharing, leading to more informed decision-making and improved project outcomes.

Another effective method is creating a comprehensive report. In a museum digitisation project, we synthesised knowledge from historical documents and expert interviews into detailed manuals, ensuring that everyone had access to the same accurate information. Think of it as putting together a puzzle, where each piece fits perfectly to reveal the whole picture.

Bear in mind that the value of this explicit-to-explicit synthesising exercise is to compare/contrast different things. It is often not enough to simply say what happened in specific situations - but the secret sauce here is often what is not said in prior knowledge, and spotting the nuance between them.

The challenge lies not just in gathering but synthesizing this wealth of information into actionable insights. Adopting a structured approach involving data categorization, pattern recognition, and stakeholder collaboration is crucial. This ensures that insights are not just identified but also integrated seamlessly into existing knowledge frameworks. Leveraging visualization tools aids in presenting complex data in digestible formats, fostering better understanding and decision-making across teams. The key takeaway? Effective synthesis and integration aren't just about processing data but transforming it into valuable knowledge assets that drive strategic outcomes and innovation.

Combining knowledge from Explicit to Explicit is one of the simplest parts of Nonaka's model and it happens in almost all organizations. Summarizing several documents and turning it into a functional document or converting the catalogs and methods of using a device into a summary execution method is one of these cases. My experience has shown that this part of the Nonaka model is not very challenging and there is no need to systematize it. It is better for the organization's knowledge management team to focus on the first two parts of the Nonaka model.

In the projects that I’m currently working, we found the best way to combine explicit knowledge was to standardise document formats. We created consistent templates, making it easier to integrate information. Centralised repositories on SharePoint became our go-to for storing and accessing documents. To manage versions and changes, we relied on Git, ensuring we always had the latest updates. Metadata tagging played a crucial role, allowing us to quickly retrieve and combine relevant documents. Collaboration tools like Confluence facilitated collaborative editing and knowledge sharing. These practices and tools helped us seamlessly combine explicit knowledge, enhancing our overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Here are some additional considerations and out-of-the-box ideas to enhance explicit to explicit knowledge combination: - Implement AI-driven systems to automatically categorize and link related knowledge artifacts. - Explore semantic analysis tools to uncover hidden relationships and patterns within explicit knowledge sources. - Gamify knowledge sharing by introducing rewards or recognition systems for employees who contribute valuable insights. - Encourage cross-functional teams to collaborate on knowledge projects, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise for comprehensive knowledge integration. - Use data visualization techniques to represent complex knowledge structures and relationships in an easy-to-understand format.