Knowledge Management in Research and Development

TLDR

R&D organizations can gain significant value by adopting knowledge‑management principles that promote the flow of resident and external knowledge, emphasizing open access to tacit knowledge, and recognizing that culture and structure—rather than IT tools—are the critical enablers of sustained knowledge flow. Leading companies employ at least six KM initiatives—goal setting, tacit knowledge access, search tools, creativity promotion, learning capture, and culture building—to foster knowledge flow. Implementing these KM initiatives yields valuable outcomes that justify the investment.

Abstract

OVERVIEW:Some R&D organizations have derived significant value from embracing knowledge management (KM) principles in order to promote the flow of both resident knowledge and external information. R&D's innovation charter demands a focus different from that of other functions, specifically, to nurture open access to people's extensive tacit knowledge—that which is "in and between minds." Your company's culture and structure will be the critical factors enabling knowledge flow, with choice of IT tools of secondary importance. From the many initiatives used by leading companies, there are at least six to choose so that you: 1) instill goals/strategies, 2) access tacit knowledge, 3) provide search tools, 4) promote creativity, 5) capture new learning, and 6) build a supportive culture. This last, most important, initiative—culture change—will take time and involve the entire business. A sustained commitment to the program is thus required. The results will be "worth the wait" in gold.