April 17, 2009

KMI is proud of our growing network of over 2,000 CKM Graduates.  In particular, we relish the opportunity to show you - our members and students - how recent CKM grads are putting their KMI training to work to tackle real-world issues! 

An informative new article has appeared in Federal Computer Week (FCW), 'Knowledge Retention Helps Agencies Retain Employee Expertise.'  In it, KM practitioners and Knowledge Officers offer valuable pointers on how to preserve enterprise know-how during (and after) baby-boomer retirements.

In the section titled "Get Help from Experts," CKM grad James Alexander, internal organization development consultant at USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service, points out that knowledge retention initiatives are relatively new to government agencies.  He emphasizes the importance of using outside specialists to help establish programs:

"In FSIS's case, the agency hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to get its now 18-month-old program off the ground. The consulting firm provided its knowledge management methodology, which details a step-by-
step process for developing a knowledge retention strategy. The agency also tapped the Knowledge Management Institute to train FSIS leadership on the essentials of the discipline."

With government agencies on the cusp of the baby-boomer retirement exodus, knowledge retention has become the hot topic.  Fortunately, for James and other CKM graduates, the KMI training curriculum goes in-depth into K Retention activities, their timing and effetiveness, what works best for different types of organizations, and more. 

We are always pleased to see what we teach here at the Institute deployed to practical benefit.  Best of luck to James and the USDA!

About The International Knowledge Management Institute (KM Institute)
The International Knowledge Management Institute (KM Institute), is the leading educational and trade association in Knowledge Management (KM). It features the Blended Certified Knowledge Manager Program - over 2,000 grads since 2001, and the only self-paced, interactive video KM programs (eCKM).  It is developing the KM Institute Knowledge Maturity Model (KMI-KMM™) and the KM Body of Knowledge.  It provides KM practitioners access to leading-edge tools/applications and certified solution providers. www.kminstitute.org