Knowledge management is a crucial element in any innovation strategy. The ability to capture, organize, and use both internal and external knowledge can make a difference in learning as innovation projects are executed. In this post, I would like to share some reflections on the type of knowledge handled by an innovative organization and how to manage it in a way that allows us to learn from the process.
Internal Knowledge: Identifying and Capturing the Essentials
Internal knowledge is generated within the organization over time. Capturing and organizing this knowledge is essential to avoid the loss of valuable information and to continuously improve innovation processes. Here is a way to organize the process and key resources to consider:
Identifying What Type of Knowledge Is Important to Incorporate into the Organization:
- Innovation Project Knowledge: Document each stage of the project, from conception to implementation.
- Post-Project Reviews: Evaluate what worked and what didn’t, to apply these learnings in future projects.
- Lessons Learned: Record the key learnings from each project.
- Best Practices and Templates: Create and share templates and best practices to facilitate the repetition of successes and avoid reinventing the wheel.
- Intellectual Property Management: Ensure that innovations and discoveries are properly protected and managed.
Create a Knowledge Repository:
- Centralize all information and make it accessible to all members of the organization.
Develop a Knowledge Capture Process:
- Establish clear procedures for capturing, storing, and (most importantly) accessing information, so that those who come later can incorporate it as easily as possible.
External Knowledge: Technological Surveillance and Foresight
External knowledge comes from sources outside the organization and is equally important to maintain competitiveness, especially regarding open innovation. Here are three key activities for managing external knowledge:
Technological Surveillance:
- Technological surveillance involves continuously observing and learning from the technological environment to identify new trends, emerging technologies, and competitive movements that can impact my company in the short and medium term.
Environmental Analysis and Monitoring:
- The idea is to observe the economic, social, and regulatory environment to anticipate changes that could affect the innovation strategy.
Technological Foresight:
- Foresight involves analyzing how technology might evolve in the long term to anticipate future technological developments and prepare for them.
Managing knowledge in innovation is not just a matter of internal organization but also of being attentive to changes and trends in the environment. By capturing and organizing both internal and external knowledge, organizations can improve their innovation capacity and remain competitive in a constantly changing world. Incorporating these resources and formalizing them within the company is essential in an environment where the only constant is change.