The Knowledge Map

The success of every organisation reflects the ease and spot-on certainty with which those working with knowledge are able to find each other and communicate knowledge and experience.

Informationland’s Interactive Knowledge Map is custom-made by using knowledge taxonomies, can be implemented quickly, hardly needs any introduction and pays for itself on the short-term. The map consists of three abstractions: individual, unit and organisational levels.

Introduction

Three important answers to the questions asked most often:

1. Yes, the organisation is going to make use of it, because it is quick, effective, and very easy to use.
2. Yes, the organisation is going to fill it out. Backed up by made to measure knowledge taxonomies, filling out is quick, accurate and can be interrupted without loss of data.
3. Yes, it is keenly priced and pays for itself quickly.

Informationland’s Interactive Knowledge Map consists of three levels:

• The map of the central organisation, with a rendering of the internal knowledge and information streams, external knowledge relations as well as a rendering of the mutual streams and interactions between the different sectors.
• Maps of the different sectors, with graphic rendering of core processes and their knowledge and information streams, as well as a rendering of collective competency and expertise. Maps of temporary units like projects and project teams also fall into this level.
• The individual knowledge map, in which individuals place themselves on a knowledge map quickly and purposefully using an inter-active screen.

The explanation below concerns this lowest level which is applied most often. What features most often are the following topics:

1. Current Activities
2. Past Activities
3. Skills
4. Ambitions
5. Training and Education
6. Network and Membership

Categories can be added or deleted. Co-workers find their photograph and professional data upon logging in during the mapping phase.

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Input

Below each heading is a custom-built navigation structure. This ensures a high-speed, efficient and consistent manner of making knowledge fields explicit. Ultimately this screen render two more functions: the survey function in which the co-worker can survey all his own fields at a glance, and the search function where a very user-friendly search screen ensures a rapid formulation of questions, also by newcomers or recalcitrant computer-users.

Each heading or subheading has its own custom-made navigation structure adapted to the organisation. These follow the knowledge taxonomy, which is drawn up during a dummy-building phase. They originate from the organisation’s own jargon and will speed up the input process. We aim to have 90% if not 100% of the mouse- driven input done in this way so that the amount of text to be filled out is kept to a minimum.

The input-effort will take each employee about 20 minutes. One can log in or out during the input without losing data. Choices appear in the selection fields per subheading, from which they can also be deleted if desired.

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Search screen

We believe that the use of applications stands or falls according to user-friendliness. An accessible search screen that speaks for itself gives the user speed and efficiency in the use of the knowledge map en thus in the accessibility and use of the expertise present within the organisation. One can indicate for which issues he is searching from each heading and subheading at super speeds. Like the use of the filling out screen we expect that 90% if not 100% of all searches will be compiled by means of the mouse. A search for free text is possible using Boolean operators.

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Response screen

The response screen gives a clear overview of which co-workers meet the profile of the demand. If required, priorities can be allotted to issues.

The list gives options for getting started. First of all it is possible to click persons individually to access the overview of what they selected for themselves for the knowledge map. In this way relevant knowledge and experience that would in the first instance not have come to light in the query can be spotted.

The most relevant co-ordinates of the selected persons appear in the list- telephone number, email, room number, department, function etc. This composition is also determined in conjunction with your organisation. Experience teaches that the use of photographs is not only important for recognition and imaging but that people with photographs are approached more easily and that lists of photographs are requested sooner. In the input phase, members of the Informationland team handle the taking of electronic photographs. One or more co-workers on the list can be ticked, and questions may be asked via group email.

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