If you’re still with me, it means that you understand the value of writing, and that you understand the limitations of “basic” note-taking. But what’s the alternative? This is where Knowledge Management (KM) comes into the picture. Let’s explore what Knowledge Management is all about!
The alternative to jotting down information and creating information silos consists in creating networks of notes unlocking the full potential of information.
As I’ve mentioned in 05.04 Note-taking and its limits, isolated notes have numerous shortcomings. And the biggest one is probably the fact that they are not connected in a manageable and scalable way.
The relationships between concepts/ideas/projects/people/tasks, knowledge and information in general are much more valuable than people seem to think. It may be useful to read a paper from A to Z and have a basic idea about something. But the information becomes much more useful and valuable when it is connected to the related pieces of the puzzle.
With a network of connected notes, also known as a Knowledge Graph (KG), a Knowledge Management System (KMS) or a Knowledge Base (KB), you get to explore many interconnected ideas. This enables you to go far beyond what isolated notes can provide you with. I put those terms together intentionally, although they have subtly different meanings. I’ll clarify as we go.
Notes scattered across various platforms, in disparate formats, hinder the ability to create valuable Knowledge bases. They don’t enable you to surface the value in the relationships, and they tend to get forgotten or abandoned over time (sometimes very quickly).
Knowledge Management transcends the boundaries of isolated notes. At its core, Knowledge Management seeks to capture, organize, and leverage information in a way that fosters continuous learning, innovation and collaboration.
The value of Knowledge Management gets obvious once you realize that knowledge is not static, but rather a dynamic entity that gains value through connections and contextual relationships.
Approaching Knowledge as something that needs to be managed just like files on a file system, bookmarks in a browser or cattle in a farm transforms the way you handle and leverage information.
The journey towards connected knowledge marks a paradigm shift in how we not only capture but also derive meaningful value from the vast sea of information that surrounds us.
Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) and Personal Knowledge Management Systems (PKMS) are 100% focused on everything you do to manage your personal knowledge. Those are also relevant for entrepreneurs who work on their own (i.e., solopreneurs) or in very small groups.
A Personal Knowledge Management System can help you…