The tools and techniques we use can also become extensions of our mind. And in a knowledge sharing environment, mind can operate as a social entity, operating through individual minds but yet going beyond them. It needs to be clarified that you do not need to make a huge investment in IT infrastructure to adopt the KM framework. The existing infrastructure, with some minor modifications, can be very well adapted to suit the need. Some investments may have to be made on the software side.
Knowledge mapping helps to to achieve precisely that.
In terms of the shape and form, these maps go beyond formal language, and create a product in the ' shared language of the organisation'. They are called maps , because they are indeed like road maps that could be operationally useful for members of the organisation. Finally, they acquire the form of an artifact with ritualised symbolism, and form a part of the organisational culture. At TotalKM, we have pioneered in developing a unique, highly effective Knowledge Mapping model which has been very well appreciated by participants of training programmes conducted by us. They can play a vital role in organisational knowledge production and sharing, if only they could be recognised, encouraged and supported.