20 Examples of Knowledge Management

John Spacey, updated on February 24, 2023

Knowledge management is the practice of capturing, controlling and effectively sharing meaningful information. This includes the straightforward administrative function of properly storing documents and media. Knowledge management may also include broad organizational culture initiatives to improve the sharing, use and quality of knowledge. The following are common examples of knowledge management functions and practices.

Knowledge Acquisition Data collection, analysis and benchmarking practices such as market research that create data and actionable information.	Knowledge Audits Evaluating an organization's knowledge assets and processes against a standard.
Knowledge Collaboration Efforts to increase cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.	Knowledge Creation Processes that create knowledge such as business experiments and research & development.
Knowledge Culture Initiatives to create a culture of sharing, using, managing and improving knowledge.	Knowledge Dissemination Processes for sharing knowledge such as lunch and learn sessions or training programs.
Knowledge Governance Oversight of knowledge processes. For example, monitoring compliance to knowledge quality processes.	Knowledge Leadership Knowledge champions and stewards who promote good practices in the creation, sharing and management of knowledge.
Knowledge Maintenance Version control, retention policies and quality control that maintains knowledge over time.	Knowledge Metadata Tagging knowledge with descriptive information so that it can be discovered, governed and maintained.
Knowledge Organization Information environments for accessing knowledge such as a taxonomy or hierarchy.	Knowledge Preservation Preservation of knowledge e.g. backup and restore processes.
Knowledge Quality Ensuring the quality of knowledge with practices such as standard templates and peer review.	Knowledge Reporting Capturing and reporting knowledge metrics such as knowledge usage rates.
Knowledge Retrieval Tools such as search that allow knowledge to be discovered.	Knowledge Security Access control, encryption and cybersecurity for knowledge.
Knowledge Storage Systems such as content management platforms, databases and document repositories that capture knowledge.	Knowledge Strategy Knowledge goals and a plan to achieve them. For example, a goal of reducing knowledge waste.
Knowledge Transfer Processes to try to sustain organizational knowledge that may be invested in individuals i.e. making sure that multiple employees know important things.	Knowledge Utilization Processes and tools that ensure knowledge is used in decision making, problem solving, strategy, design and operations.