Siemens Safenet

Introduction:

An organization’s knowledge is one of its most important resources. Knowledge is more than just data or information. It is an asset that gives a business value and strategic advantage. To make the most effective use of the knowledge an organisation has, it must make the knowledge visible and sharable. More than one individual should be able to use knowledge at the same time, and shared knowledge stimulates the creation of new knowledge. More importantly, this process appears to reduce costs and significantly contribute to overall organizational success by preventing individuals from repeating the mistakes of other individuals. (please refer to the following diagram that explains the need to knowledge infrastructure)

{draw:frame}

Siemens Information and Communications Networks’ group had realised the need of Knowledge Management system that adopted both Process and Practice Approach. ShareNet, Siemen’s KM tool, was widely used by ICN’s Sales and Marketing staff and hence was a big success. However, there had been a meltdown in the Telecommunications industry, and ICN was pressurised to cut costs. As a result ShareNet's managers need to take difficult and strategic decisions regarding the future of Sharenet.

Difficulties associated with developing knowledge management networks

Though organisations understand the need of having Knowledge Management systems, developing such systems is not an easy task.

To design an effective KM system, getting access to desired knowledge and ideas at the time of use is the prime goal. The system should not only capture the Codified part but also the Tacit or personalised part of Knowledge. Describing the tacit, personal and explicit nature of knowledge requires a lot of effort hence is difficult to articulate. It is almost impossible to codify all your experiences into a book.

Moreover, it is problematic to identify the knowledge assets, to use and manage them in an efficient and cost-effective...