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Introduction

Knowledge Management (KM) is a management discipline that aims to sustainably improve the effectiveness of organisations and social systems through deliberate and planned systems interventions.

It is a multidisciplinary management science, drawing from diverse fields including information theory, data sciences, librarianship, communications, marketing, psychology, biology, sociology, and management research.

Many KM curriculums for both tertiary qualifications and private certifications only cover a small subset of the areas relevant to effective practice of knowledge management in organisations.

The RealKM Open KM Syllabus is an initiative which attempts to systematically describe the themes and topics required for a fully-rounded education in knowledge management theory and practice.

The goal is to provide a reference standard which can be used to:

• compare the content of educational KM programs
• create a common language for KM specialisations
• assist KM practitioners to identify opportunities for personal improvement

Licence

If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement of the syllabus, please contact Stephen Bounds on stephen@bounds.net.au.

Domains and Themes

• A. Core concepts
  • A.1. Systems and complexity
  • A.2. Knowledge systems
  • A.3. Problem solving patterns
  • A.4. Knowledge Management objectives
  • A.5. Knowledge Management interventions

• B. Organisational knowledge strategy
  • B.1. Knowledge application outcomes
  • B.2. Knowledge construal assessment
  • B.3. Trust assessment
  • B.4. Systems awareness and design
  • B.5. Strategy development

• C. Knowledge assessment
  • C.1. Knowledge audits and mapping
  • C.2. Decision making structures
  • C.3. Capability design, implementation, and maintenance
  • C.4. Training and development

• D. Systems interventions
  • D.1. Systems management
  • D.2. Knowledge processes
  • D.3. Information processes
  • D.4. Business processes

• E. Applied KM
  • E.1. Knowledge brokering
  • E.2. Development and extension
  • E.3. Knowledge economy
  • E.4. Management decision making

KM role descriptors

Knowledge Management role descriptions

More Resources

• List of training and education providers (KMEdu Hub)