An Application ModelThe task we’ve selected is to develop a framework and a process
that would enable companies, quickly and with a high degree of
consistency, to organize and categorize the streams of knowledge
that are made available to them. Further, this would need to be
done in such a way as to result in an enabled decision-making
process. Although each company would likely create categories
specific to its particular environment, the fundamental principles
behind the system would hold for most organizations, regardless of
size or industry.
For a preliminary version, this task can be divided into three
parts. First, it’s necessary to devise a framework of categories into
which knowledge streams could be logically placed. Second, one
would have to create some method of determining how to “map” the
knowledge, that is, how to determine in which category the knowl-
edge logically belongs. Finally, we believe it would be important to
create some metrics to determine impact or relevance to the organi-
zation and to seek revisions and upgrades on some periodic basis.
Categories
The assumption behind a category framework is that every com-
pany has some reasonably clear and consistent language that is used
to operate and manage the business. Such language is already used
in everyday communications and planning but is probably not con-
sidered a repository for knowledge mapping. Here’s a list of some of
the common words, labels, and other linguistic indicators that
would work as a starting point for the category requirement.
(The definitions offered are meant to provide some measure of dis-
tinction between the categories and are not intended to imply an
absolute or consensus meaning.)
Vision:A compelling image or description of a desired future
state116 LEADINGORGANIZATIONALLEARNING