KM Links, an initiative of QNET, is a networking group of individuals from businesses and organizations in various sectors who share an interest in learning and promoting the concepts of knowledge management.

KM Links is the focal point for knowledge management networking events and activities designed to promote the awareness and understanding of knowledge management in the province of Manitoba.  A Planning Committee of representatives from various sectors has set a vision and mission for KM Links, and is coordinating KM Links activities.

Vision: Manitobans manage knowledge in innovative ways to create and sustain effective organizations and vital communities.

Mission: KM Links leads an ongoing process of awareness, education, networking and recognition to build knowledge management capacity in Manitoba.

Why was KM Links initiated?

Km Links was developed by QNET based on the recommendation of a Manitoba Knowledge Management Assessment that took place in 1999.  The Assessment Report (Summary Report) identified a need for knowledge management networking activities in Manitoba; QNET was selected as the organization to lead and facilitate these activities.

The Assessment was sponsored by WORKFORCE 2000 Manitoba Education and Training, QNET and the Manitoba Innovation Network (MIN). 

What is Knowledge Management (KM)?

Knowledge management is the integration of ideas, experience, intuition, skill and lessons learned that has the potential to create value for a company, their employees, their products and services and ultimately their shareholders by creating an environment that promotes the transfer of and centralized access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year to current data, information, wisdom and knowledge to support informed decision making and continuous improvement.

Knowledge management is based on the assumption that every organization has volumes of data being used and passed around. Some of this data is "tangible" - reports, presentations, financial figures, etc. Much of it is "intangible" information - dress codes, good versus bad vendors, who knows how to get what done, why a client is lost. To bring order out of disorder, many companies have put in place processes to organize their data into information.

Information is essentially systemized data. Information systems, such as databases, directories, and library catalogues, provide logical and consistent access to information. This is information management. And, this is where most organizations stop.

Information management and knowledge management are two concepts which are often confused. The goal of knowledge management is to develop an organization in such a way as so as to be able to gain knowledge from information. It does not necessarily require more or better databases or software or procedures. It requires a change in the way people work with and think about information. Knowledge management is not the territory of the IT (information technology) or HR (human resources) departments. It requires all the people, processes, and technology working together to create change and add value and success to the organization.

(The information contained in "What is Knowledge Management?" was provided by James Conklin, IDT Information Development and Training, and Betty Dearth, Industrial Technology Centre.)