The KMWorld 2019 conference in Washington, DC focused on the theme: "Knowledge Sharing in the Age of New Technologies." Keynotes, panels, and workshops examined how strong knowledge management practices can drive workplace innovation.
Key Takeaways from KMWorld 2019
- Cultural change is independent of technology. Adopting new platforms, processes, or KM initiatives succeeds when the focus is on users—not just technology. Lasting change is about people.
- Branding strengthens your KM program. When launching a KM initiative, plan communications strategically. Naming your KM program reinforces that knowledge management is more than just a system or platform.
- Consider giving your intranet or knowledge-sharing portal an organization-specific name, rather than referring to it by the software product. For example, “The Corral” (Heifer International) or “LINK” (YMCA).
- Use a standard logo, branding materials, and clear communication channels to strengthen awareness and engagement.
- Build feedback into your KM programs. Enable employees to share feedback through multiple channels—community groups, open commenting, surveys, or confidential questions to leadership. This demonstrates respect and inclusivity.
- Look for Return on Expectations (ROE). ROE helps benchmark the impact of your KM program. Understand your users’ expectations and measure success based on how well those expectations are met, not just technical deliverables.
- Prioritize transparency in AI. Only trust AI systems that are transparent about data handling and decision processes. Protect privacy, reduce risks of data exposure, and minimize bias in AI-driven KM tools.
- Technology is only one piece of KM. Effective KM is about people, processes, and technologies working together. Overemphasizing tools limits a KM program’s reach and effectiveness.
