Starting points: Useful introductions to Knowledge Management
Learning to fly by Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell(2001)
Written by two experienced practitioners, this book is something of a bible to the knowledge management community. The book introduces the main concept of Knowledge Management and describes how KM techniques can be applied within organisations using real-life examples from the authors' experiences. There is also a supporting Learning to Fly website.
Working knowledge by Thomas H Davenport and Laurence Prusak(2000)
Like Learning to Fly, Working knowledge: How organizations manage what they know has been an influential publication in the field of KM, drawing on the experience of a number of knowledge management initiatives in a number of organisations.
Knowledge Connections/David Skyrme Associates
David Skyrme is one of the leading consultants in Knowledge Management, and through Knowledge Connections, he has developed a comprehensive archive of useful articles, reports, tools and insights into KM. There is something for everyone here - from the newcomer to KM to the more experienced practitioner.
Discussion Boards, Blogs and Resource Centres
Sveiby Knowledge Associates
Another KM consultancy with an comprehensivelibrary of articles written by Karl Eirik Sveiby. There is a useful section for newcomers as well as a variety of articles that would be appreciated by more experienced knowledge management advocates.
Knowledge Board
The knowledge board is a Europe wide site for accessing KM discussions and articles about KM. Most articles are in English. The general feeling is rather academic, but there are some excellent articles, as well as some that are baffling! In the library area is a good KM for Beginners section and there is also a section specifically on KM in the public sector.
Know Net
Know Net are a small consortium of European organisations (business, consultants and academics) who have developed a particular approach and tool for implementing KM. The site contains some useful general information on how to design and plan the introduction of KM to your company. Not suitable for the complete novice.
Gurteen Knowledge Website
A large collection of resources including books, articles, people, websites and blogs.
Knowledge Management Specialist Library (NHS)
The aim of this site is to provide the best available evidence and practical examples of health professionals successfully sharing and applying knowledge and experience to their daily activities. The material available on the Knowledge Management Specialist Library has been chosen because the content can also be applied to the health sector.
Knowledge Management on IT Toolbox
A broad range of articles grouped by topic includes articles, commentary and guides to tools to assist in implementing a knowledge management programme.
American Productivity and Quality Centre
American Productivity and Quality Centre. A good site covering a number of subjects, including KM. It contains a large number of KM resources, most are free, but some are only available to members. There is also a related KM blog, but this is currently not being updated very frequently.
All of us are smarter than any of us
Thie highly respected Chris Collison, co-author of Learning to Fly, writes about building knowledgeable organisations on his blog.
lucasmcdonnell.com/knowledge connects people
This blog provides advice and discussion on leveraging technology to enable knowledge sharing.
Knowledge Management in action
Better e-European Practices - BeEP
BEEP (Better e-Europe Practices)is arepository of international case studies covering a diverse range of e-applications. Includes some good cases specifically concerned with knowledge management, and others that are partly about knowledge management, but much of the rest have little obvious connection. Full registration is needed to access the full text of the case studies and for advanced search facilities.
Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP)
CSIP is actively engaging knowledge management to improve their performance as an organisation. Their KM programme works to cultivate an environment in which people are willing to share, learn and collaborate together to lead to that improvement. Their web pages detail their strategy and experiences.
Standards
British Standards Institute
Provides access to the British Standards Institute documents covering knowledge management. Gives summaries of each document and the facility to buy on line. You need to register on-line (free) with BSI before you can access this information. Documents include PD 7502 Measurements in knowledge management and PD 7501 Managing culture and knowledge management.
Useful information
esd-toolkit
This toolkit has been developed for local authorities and involves a community of local government practitioners. It promotes peer support and provides a means of knowledge sharing and discussion, along with partnership and collaboration with other national and local projects. Also includes an extensive forum.
IDeA - Improvement & Development Agency
This is a government site presenting ideas on how government can be improved. Agood resource for workers in the public sector.
Information Commissioner
The website of the body with legal responsibility in the UK for supervising the application of various laws relating to sharing and protecting data. Contains useful information about the legal constraints on those responsible for designing and operating information management systems, but it is not intended as a general knowledge management resource.
National Archives
The National Archives is a national resource for anyone interested in, or with responsibility for, documents relating to British history: whether for professional research reasons, as an archivist or records manager, for school or learning projects or simply for personal curiosity.Although not really a KM site, it has a lot that is relevant for information management.
Useful web-basedtools for collaboration
Basecamp
Basecamp is a simple-to-use project management tool and is great for managing and assigning tasks, to-do-lists and collaborating with colleagues and clients. It is entirely web-based so there is no need for any software or technical knowledge - all you need is a web browser.
Highrise
From the same stable as Basecamp, Highrise offers an online customer relationship management (CRM) system which shares contact details and helps track communications with colleagues, customers, vendors.
Harvest
An online time tracking toolwith a simple and very usable interface which helps managers track time spent on projects.
Google Docs
Enables people to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets and presentations online in real-time. All documents can be exported into familiar Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint formats.
Knowledge Engine
A collaborative suite of tools available to support the work of cross public sector organisations, their officers and elected members in the West Midlands Region. The suite consists of a virtual meeting space, a virtual office and a regional search engine.