Gartner Research

Guidance for Developing a Knowledge Management Strategy

Published: 28 April 2022

Summary

Knowledge management is more crucial than ever. Hybrid work requires reliable access to expertise and knowledge resources. Without a well-articulated strategy and clearly defined framework, KM initiatives fail. Technical professionals responsible for KM can avoid failure by creating these resources.

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Overview

Key Findings
  • Knowledge management has taken on a new urgency due to changing patterns of work. In response, organizations are undertaking new and ambitious KM initiatives, most of which will fail.

  • The root causes of failure in KM are a lack of strategy and structure. Without a well-defined vision, identified business drivers and established KM principles organized into a defining structure, sustainable KM will not be achievable, and associated initiatives are doomed from the outset.

  • Successful knowledge management programs must support four foundational activities: converse, capture, curate and circulate. These are facilitated by four key enablers: people, process, technology and governance.

Recommendations

Technical professionals

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Analysts:

Darin Stewart

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