Knowledge management may be particularly relevant in an academic setting. Knowledge can be defined as insight gained through familiarity, experience or association. It is the information, principles and guidelines acquired to function appropriately in the environment. In an institution, knowledge is the result of the cumulative experiences of staff members and is obtained through interactions with customers, suppliers and other constituent groups. Knowledge is evidenced in an organization's processes, policies, products and services.
Tactical knowledge includes techniques for integrating technologies, experiences and relationships.
Knowledge management is defined as a methodology employed to identify, create, store, and deploy an organization's cumulative experience for advancement through the use of technology. It integrates people and information to aid an organization's decision-making processes. It can be most beneficial in helping institutions adapt to changing environments. In 1996, a year-long study conducted by Dataware Technologies, Inc., revealed the most common approaches to successful knowledge management. The first step is to identify, categorize and provide access to the knowledge that already exists within the organization.