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Overview of knowledge management (KM)

Knowledge management is the management of environment, cultures and ways of working to proactively stimulate knowledge creation, sharing and use.Ìý

It is about people and how we work together. It is about communicating, sharing and learning from others, and building connections and networks, which enable us to learn more and work better. It is about connecting people to the knowledge they need to make decisions and improve their practice.Ìý

Knowledge can be:Ìý

• explicit (‘know-what’) - written down in manuals, procedures, lessons learned and research findingsÌý
• tacit (‘know-how’) - residing in people’s heads, rooted in individual experience, and requires personal contact and trust to share effectivelyÌý

Situations where knowledge is missing, or not used, can lead to more expensive and time-consuming training, a lack of learning from past practice, and costs through duplicating previous mistakes. Knowledge that is captured, shared and used helps with productivity, innovation and good practice, and allows new staff to become competent and self-reliant more quickly.Ìý

This (4.5 mins) describes knowledge management and what it means for the way we work.Ìý

We encourage the use of simple KM tools and techniques to help individuals and teams seek, share and use knowledge to improve practice. Many people instinctively know they should be doing this, but it doesn’t always happen. Our  describes some common tools, techniques and processes that help create the right environment for knowledge sharing and learning. Ìý

Overview of knowledge mobilisation (KMb)

Knowledge mobilisation describes any activity or process that facilitates the transfer of high-quality evidence from research into effective changes in health policy, clinical practice, or products. It aims to close the gap between what is known from research/evidence and the implementation of this knowledge into policy and practice.Ìý

KMb is an iterative two-way cycle or process (and related activities) that involves high quality stakeholder engagement to guide knowledge, research and evaluation goals to generate impact. For example, the impact could be benefits to end-users of a service or guidance, such as local authority, front-line clinicians, patients or the public to encourage specific behaviour change.ÌýÌý

Structured KMb can facilitate better collaborative working and generate more effective impact.Ìý

There is no one-size-fits-all or single gold-standard KMb model. Good KMb practice is when it is tailored to a specific project or workstream such as a piece of research - for example: from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol.Ìý

Our Service OfferÌý

Enquiry ÌìÃÀӰԺ Ìý

KLS can respond to your enquiries in relation to knowledge management and mobilisation and provide advice and support.  Ìý

Please email your enquiries to libraries@kls.ukhsa.gov.uk.

Resources Ìý

We have curated a collection of KM resources. Visit our for books and journals.

KM ToolboxÌý

A range of simple tools and techniques which help facilitate the processes by which knowledge is created, shared and used in organisations. These build on what many are already doing, but can help teams develop a more systematic approach.ÌýÌý

For an introduction to KM and KMb, for more information on using any of the tools or if you would like help in facilitating on of these techniques for your team, get in touch by completing .

See our to view some recommended tools and techniques.

EventsÌý

UKHSA staff can find more information and details of upcoming events on our intranet page: ÌýFor more information, get in touch by completing .

KM and KMb peer support via communities of practiceÌý

KM Advocates (UKHSA)

This community of practice offers a space for people to share experiences and resources, ask questions, pose solutions and support each other to facilitate and improve KM within their teams and across the organisation. Membership is open to all those at UKHSA with an interest in KM. The community uses MS Teams as its platform.

To join the community of practice, get in touch by completing .

Knowledge Mobilisation Community of Practice

The UKHSA Knowledge Mobilisation Community of Practice (KMbÌýCoP) offers a space for people to share experience and resources, pose questions and discuss solutions, and seek collaborative solutions to KMb challenges.

The CoP facilitates relationship building, networking and bridging organisational silos, and the consideration of KMb in the impact and evaluation ecosystem.

Membership is open to anyone in UKHSA and partner organisations, such as universities, local authorities and charities. Use this link to join: Ìý.

The KM Advocates community on MS Teams hosts the internal ‘Evidence into policy and practice’ channel for internal discussion and signposting around KMb. To join the internal community, get in touch by completing .

Contact usÌý

For further information or queries, contact us.

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