Method for knowledge management

• US 7,392,232 B1
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Taylor, Robert, Kane, James, Goodall, Alex Martin, Geraghty, Barbara Toddie, McHugh, Michael Williams, McCabe, Susan Lee, Beyer, N. Lee, Farbrother, Ian, Wizdo, Lori D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes; Michael B
• Application Number:
  US11/232,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 706/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 20/00 Machine learning

Abstract

A method of enabling a knowledge management community. A community is originated based on a vision of values and benefits that can be realized from the organized sharing of knowledge within a common group of people. The group is defined based on subject matter, interest, geography, or any other category. Based on the vision of a community, an initial definition of the community is created, including a community charter. Based on the community charter, the community is designed. The design of the community includes creating a matrix showing processes performed by members of the community and the outcomes of these processes, developing knowledge maps that show the knowledge used and created in performing processes, and defining metrics to measure the benefit derived from the sharing of knowledge within the community.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a matrix for sharing knowledge within at least one community, said matrix comprising at least one of a plurality of processes performed by an entity correlated with a desired outcome produced by the process, the method comprising:

identifying a plurality of entities, wherein each entity executes at least one of the plurality of processes;

identifying a plurality of outcomes, wherein each of the plurality of processes produces at least one of said outcomes;

creating and storing a matrix that correlates said plurality of outcomes with said plurality of entities, wherein each pair of said outcomes and said entities is represented by a point on said matrix; and

for a first of said plurality of processes which is performed by a first of said entities and which produces a first of said outcomes, indicating said first of said plurality of processes at a first point on said matrix which corresponds to a pair of said first entity and said first outcome,

wherein said matrix is shared within at least one community.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said first outcome produces a benefit to at least one of said entities.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

defining a metric which quantifies a benefit of said first outcome.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

including, at said first point, a desired process which produces a second one of said outcomes, said desired process not being included among the plurality of processes.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said entity is a person.

6. A computer-implemented method for creating a knowledge map for sharing within at least one community, said knowledge map including a mapping of at least one process that an entity performs with a desired outcome and items of knowledge used for and items of knowledge generated as a result of performing the at least one process, the method comprising:

identifying a plurality of processes including a first process;

identifying a plurality of entities including a first entity, wherein each of said plurality of entities performs at least one of said processes, and wherein said first entity performs said first process;

identifying a first item of knowledge used by said first entity in the execution of said first process;

identifying a second item of knowledge generated by said first entity as a result of said first entity'"'"'s executing said first process;

creating and storing a knowledge map having a first dimension and a second dimension, wherein said first dimension has first attributes corresponding to said plurality of entities, wherein said second dimension has second attributes corresponding to said plurality of processes, and wherein a point on said knowledge map is uniquely identifiably by a pair comprising one of said first attributes and one of said second attributes; and

including said first and second items of knowledge in said knowledge map at a first point identified by a pair comprising a first attribute corresponding to said first entity and a second attribute corresponding to said first process,

wherein the knowledge map is shared within at least one community.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

including, at said first point, information indicative of an opportunity to transfer said first knowledge or said second knowledge.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

including, at said first point, information indicative of an approach to improving said first process.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

including, at said first point, information indicative of whether said first item of knowledge is tacit or explicit.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, further comprising:

including, at said first point, information indicative of an opportunity to transfer said first item of knowledge to a second of said plurality of processes different from said first process.