In a reaction to recent posts on serious problems

with document management and enterprise

search,

There were two main arguments about knowledge

management:-

First, that knowledge management search can

never be compared with Google search.
Second, that members of the organization wont
use the tool simply because they lack the
knowledge to deal with the system.

Its true that many knowledge management tools

lack the sophistication of Google for a simple
search, but some have very solid search
functionality.
Search should not be the only means of finding
material in a knowledge management system.
Better systems have means of tagging items,
categorizing them, and relating them to other

pieces of content that makes the acquisition of

knowledge simpler and more relational.
In fact, because the people that set up the system
understand the company and its needs, proper
categorization of materials should enable the
searcher to find information relatively easily.
The second argument is the argument that I find
most important and agree with. As many who have
used knowledge management systems in the past
know, they are only doomed to fail if the tool isnt
powerful and easy and if the organization fails to
properly implement and care for it.
In the Journal of Knowledge Management Practice
there is an article whose title is Critical
Factors In The Successful Implementation Of
Knowledge Management provides tremendous
insight into whats necessary for a successful
knowledge management implementation. It is not
a surprise that the focus of implementation is on
people rather than the technology.
The 11 Factors to Successful Knowledge
Management Implementation:
1.
2.
3.

Employee training
Employee involvement
Open and trustworthy teamwork

4.
5.

Employee empowerment
Visible top management leadership and
commitment
6.
Information systems infrastructure
7.
Performance measurement
8.
Knowledge-friendly culture
9.
Benchmarking
10. Knowledge structure
11. Elimination of organizational constrains

Organizations that implement knowledge

management with the right tool following the
practices outlined above will thrive. With a proper
solution, they can measure this through metrics of
engagement. Good tools will have analytics and
reports that allow you not only to measure
employee activity but also to ensure the
knowledge the tool contains is relevant, accurate,
and important to the company.
Knowledge management isnt dead. But it may be
at a point of reckoning. Weve tried installing
systems with an implementation plan built on
nothing but hope. Having learned that this doesnt
work, organizations need to find a system proven
to get results and to implement it according to a
plan similar to the 11-point plan outlined here.

Refrence:http://bloomfire.com/blog/the-11-factors-ofsuccessful-knowledge-managementimplementation/

KM Failure Factors
Based on the works of numerous researchers and authors, there are two categories of
factors, namely "causal" and "resultant".
Causal factors refer to fundamental problems within the organization, which lead to
conditions that are not suitable for Knowledge management. They are not always
easily visible and they lead to a number of symptoms, which are termed resultant
factors.
Below I have included an overview of these factors. For each of these points, there is
substantial empirical evidence as well as theoretical deliberations linking them to KM
failure (and conversely, to KM success). Please note that these factors are not listed in
order of importance, nor does any one causal factor correspond to a specific resultant
factor.
Causal Failure Factors:

Lack of performance indicators and measurable benefits

Inadequate management support
Improper planning, design, coordination, and evaluation
Inadequate skill of knowledge managers and workers
Problems with organizational culture
Improper organisational structure

Resultant Failure Factors:

Lack of widespread contribution

Lack of relevance, quality, and usability
Overemphasis on formal learning, systematisation, and determinant needs
Improper implementation of technology
Improper budgeting and excessive costs
Lack of responsibility and ownership
Loss of knowledge from staff defection and retirement

Read more:http://www.knowledge-management-tools.net/failure.html#ixzz4PcQUumks