Management & leadership · Short course
Knowledge Management
Capturing organisational knowledge and making it accessible to the people who need it.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Capturing organisational knowledge and making it accessible to the people who need it.
The programme brings together knowledge mapping, knowledge capture, sharing systems and knowledge continuity. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A specialist is leaving and important operating knowledge exists only in email threads and personal notebooks. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Knowledge coordinators, managers and information professionals.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Identify the knowledge whose loss would disrupt the service.
- Plan interviews and demonstrations to capture the specialist’s working knowledge.
- Design a searchable structure and assign responsibility for maintaining it.
- Prepare a handover review that checks whether colleagues can use the captured information.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Knowledge mapping
This part of the programme examines knowledge mapping, with attention to identifying expertise and information needs. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Identifying expertise.
- Information needs.
- Applied work: identify the knowledge whose loss would disrupt the service.
Illustrative practical exercise
Identify the knowledge whose loss would disrupt the service. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Knowledge capture
This part of the programme examines knowledge capture, with attention to documenting experience and lessons. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Documenting experience.
- Lessons.
- Applied work: plan interviews and demonstrations to capture the specialist’s working knowledge.
Illustrative practical exercise
Plan interviews and demonstrations to capture the specialist’s working knowledge. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Sharing systems
This part of the programme examines sharing systems, with attention to access, collaboration and organisational memory. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Access.
- Collaboration.
- Organisational memory.
- Applied work: design a searchable structure and assign responsibility for maintaining it.
Illustrative practical exercise
Design a searchable structure and assign responsibility for maintaining it. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Knowledge continuity
This part of the programme examines knowledge continuity, with attention to handovers and retaining critical expertise. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Handovers.
- Retaining critical expertise.
- Applied work: prepare a handover review that checks whether colleagues can use the captured information.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a handover review that checks whether colleagues can use the captured information. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A specialist is leaving and important operating knowledge exists only in email threads and personal notebooks. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.