Information Research Weblog

A recent message on IR-DISCUSS mentioned the new Interim Standard on Knowledge Management from Standards Australia. By chance, I discovered that an extract from the standard is available on the Web.

This information came from the Column Two Weblog written by James Robertson. James maintains a list of such standards, which members of IR-DISCUSS and readers of the IR Weblog may find of interest.

The language of these things is truly bizarre - all resulting from an inability to distinguish effectively between 'knowledge' and 'information' and as a result of accepting Nonatka's flawed definition of 'tacit knowledge'. The fact that national standards bodies have been so infiltrated by the consultancies (BSI's standard was written, in effect, by Price Waterhouse) ought to give citizens cause for concern.

Consider, for example, this set of definitions:

1.2.1 Data

Any manifestation in the environment, including symbolic representations, that in combination may form the basis of information.

1.2.2 Information

Data in a context to which meaning has been attributed.

1.2.3 Knowledge

A body of understanding and skills that is constructed by people. Knowledge is increased through interaction with information (typically from other people).

1.2.4 Knowledge management

A multi-disciplined approach to achieving organisational objectives by making best use of knowledge. It involves the design, review and implementation of both social and technological processes to improve the application of knowledge, in the collective interest of stakeholders.

Have you stopped screaming yet?