In an increasingly complex and dynamic business world, knowledge is becoming the most important resource – which is why it is essential that companies know where this knowledge is anchored. The challenge for many companies is to make the knowledge of their employees accessible in a targeted manner and to retain it within the company.
This is where knowledge maps come into play. They make it possible to access existing knowledge quickly and efficiently and to promote the exchange of knowledge in a targeted manner. This article explains exactly what a knowledge map is, why it is strategically indispensable for companies and how it can improve knowledge structures.
Companies have a wealth of knowledge, but this knowledge often remains “hidden” in certain departments or with individual employees. Knowledge maps bring these “hidden treasures” to light and make them strategically usable.
A knowledge map goes far beyond a traditional organizational chart. While organizational charts often only depict formal positions and hierarchies, knowledge maps show who has what expertise and experience and where specific knowledge is anchored in the organization.
A knowledge map is not just a visual representation, but rather a strategic resource that supports the company in its day-to-day business. Knowledge maps help to capture knowledge in a structured way and pass it on to the right person at the right time. The decisive added value: the knowledge map focuses on skills and knowledge that also include implicit and context-related knowledge – something that conventional organizational charts do not depict. In this way, knowledge development can be promoted in a targeted manner.
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Eine Wissenslandkarte ist daher nicht nur eine Momentaufnahme von Wissensbeständen, sondern ein leistungsfähiges Tool, das Transparenz schafft und den gezielten Einsatz von Wissen ermöglicht. Unternehmen profitieren in vielerlei Hinsicht:
Tip: In combination with offboarding and onboarding processes, the knowledge map ensures that knowledge is not only documented but also actively passed on.
Knowledge maps are therefore more than just a source of information; they are an instrument for targeted skills management that creates transparency, identifies potential and anchors specialist knowledge where it offers the greatest added value for the company.
Knowledge maps only develop their full effect when they are structured and continuously maintained. By taking targeted steps, knowledge maps can become a long-term success factor and an important knowledge resource.
The first step in creating a knowledge map is to identify and document the most important knowledge carriers in the company. These are often employees who have specific specialist knowledge, project knowledge or institutional experience that is valuable to the company. Identifying these key people is essential in order to break down head monopolies and structure knowledge in a targeted manner.
Tips for identifying and documenting key knowledge carriers:
For complete knowledge carrier maps, it is important to clearly name and structure the existing knowledge topics. This makes it possible to link knowledge carriers and topics in such a way that knowledge can be transferred quickly and easily. In this way, the company’s knowledge assets are visualized as a kind of map that employees can use to find their way around and seek help directly if they have any questions.
Eine Wissenslandkarte ist nur so wertvoll wie ihre Aktualität. Daher ist es entscheidend,sie regelmäßig zu pflegen und neue Informationen zeitnah einzupflegen. So bleibt das Unternehmenswissen immer auf dem neuesten Stand und bietet langfristig einen Mehrwert.
Important: A well-maintained knowledge map not only facilitates the general transfer of knowledge. It is also a great help in an emergency, for example when information is needed as quickly as possible that would be difficult to access without an up-to-date map.
Creating and maintaining a knowledge map can be time-consuming – this is where the great2know platform offers valuable support. With the specialized functions of the AI-supported knowledge platform, knowledge can not only be organized centrally and clearly, but also designed flexibly and efficiently for use in everyday work.
One of the biggest challenges in knowledge management is the systematic recording and visualization of knowledge. great2know enables you to document knowledge in a structured way and store it in a central system. With the help of AI-supported functions, information can be found more efficiently so that knowledge can be retrieved more quickly and in a more targeted manner.
Tip: Automation and AI-supported searches eliminate the need for manual documentation of many knowledge processes, which saves time and increases accuracy.
As you can easily see, knowledge maps are far more than just an overview of interrelationships: They are a strategic tool that facilitates knowledge transfer, increases transparency within the company and makes knowledge gaps visible. By clearly structuring and maintaining knowledge maps, companies can ensure that valuable expert knowledge is not lost and is made accessible to all employees in the long term.
Companies that integrate knowledge maps into their day-to-day work and update them regularly benefit in the long term from greater efficiency and better collaboration between employees and teams. Integrating a knowledge map into the corporate culture not only strengthens employee loyalty, but also ensures innovative strength and competitiveness for the future.
Discover more tips for strengthening knowledge management in a team.
