Far Wise in Knowledge Management

Draft knowledge management systems standard (ISO 30401)

A lot has been said already about the knowledge management systems standard (ISO 30401). I've read the draft globally, when it was open to the public, till January 16. And I've read some of the discussion about it in the SKIM leaders community (not everything, because I was sick at that time and most is posted when it's night for us). If you want to know more about the standard, you can look at the webinar recording published here.

Overall, I think it's good that the effort was done. I've often wondered why there was no standard, especially because the KM area is not new any more. Reading too that there is a standard for Innovation management, I think it's about time there is a standard for KM. I also feel that there isn't much new that is published about KM, which to me is another sign we're talking about a mature area. For the same reason, I disagree when some people say that it's not possible to put an area like KM in a standard, as it's (application) is too much dependent on the context. Whether this version is sufficient to be "the" standard, is a question I'm not certain to answer. It provides a very generic, but to me limited framework. Same for the choice of words and definitions, I sometimes wonder why this choice was made. The knowledge life cycle, for example, is debatable. Of course, I realize that this is a knowledge management system standard, and it's not a handbook (although the scope refers to "guidelines for establishing a KM system in organization"). I expect a high-level framework  and definitions of the elements to be in place for knowledge management, which each organization will fill in and work out in detail for themselves. I was a bit surprised it to be a mix of high level and at some points details that are worked out (I guess these are the guidelines). It feels like the committee couldn't make a choice.

Many comments and suggestions for change have been submitted and it's now up to the committee to make changes (or not). I believe there will be a voting too, so it's not even certain that this draft will become a final standard. I do understand it will be difficult to have a standard that satisfies everybody, but I hope the comments will improve the current standard to a document that in its base covers the area. And leaves the details to the organizations to fill in.

Better

All my good intentions to blog more often went off the rails when I got sick about two weeks ago. It started with a soar throat, then fever came and I had to stay in bed a few days, which is very unusual for me! Still coughing now and I can't talk too much, but I'm back into a normal rhythm. I'm back into running as well, although it doesn't combine well with coughing. In my mind I wrote several posts, so I hope to be back into a writing rhythm soon as well.

New year, new adventures

Happy New Year! I hope that 2018 will bring you good health and happiness. I always try to avoid posts that look back at the past year, so I won't do that. As well, I don't do resolutions, so you won't find those here as well. I like to think about the exciting things that 2018 is going to bring, at least for the first part of the year.

My eldest nephew is getting married in Windsor (UK) in July, so my sisters, my mother and I are already planning that trip and thinking about what to wear. Our big running race for 2018 will be the Eiger Trail in Switzerland. I've signed up for the 35 km (2500 m elevation) and will start my training for it soon! The training will involve hill training, wherever possible in my area, and strength training, next to the distance running. Another big event will be the Management Book of the Year 2018 Gala, as I'm member of the jury. I'm looking forward to the discussions with the jury team to come to the best Dutch management book. We're still reading the 2017 books and making a first selection for the longlist.

These are three major events already in my plans for this new year. Of course there will be other running races, vacation trips, work-related activities, that will make this year a - hopefully - exciting year!