If you have not already done so, please use the Ladder of Inference resources to

Question

If you have not already done so, please use the Ladder of Inference resources to prepare for this threaded discussion.

Please consider all of the data generated everyday by every transaction performed in your organization. What happens to all that data? (If you are currently a full-time student or seeking employment, you may wish to base your answer on an organization in which you have previously worked, or an organization with which you are very familiar.)

In a perfect world, all data is collected and organized into information. Information is then utilized by the human element of an organization and becomes knowledge. Then, knowledge is used to make decisions and the outcome of these decisions are analyzed and understood. At this point we say an organization is seeking wisdom.

Does the data collected in your organization become information? Is that information routed to the appropriate recipient? Does that recipient have the time, permission, understanding and authority to use that information in decision-making? Does he or she do so?

Is the data accurate? Has it been processed appropriately so that the information is accurate? Is the data and information searchable? How much corporate knowledge resides in the heads of the employees?

Consider these questions and relate to all of us the best and worst knowledge creation and management practices in your experience.

Explanation / Answer

> In a perfect world, all data is collected and organized into information. Information is then utilized by the human element and the outcome of these decisions are analyzed and understood. At this point we say an organization is seeking wisdom.

No, organization is not seeking wisdom. The human capital which is responsible to drive an organization is seeking wisdom.

> Does the data collected in your organization become information?

The data of any type, either raw form or the refined form of knowledge is derived with significance to the understanding of the relevant concepts and real things, and that becomes information.

> Is that information routed to the appropriate recipient?

Yes. It shall be routed to the appropriate recipient. Specific recipient receives the specific data. Not all information goes to all the recipients. Say for example, in an organization, information which the top management needs to know on the mergers and acquisitions, profit and loss statements, company share holdings etc are routed to the specific people in the top management. Similarly, the data appropriate to the middle management like contracts, sub-contracts, production decisions etc are routed to middle management, and data appropriate to the lower management like sales data, operations data etc which is useful in day-to-day operations are routed to lower management.

> Does that recipient have the time, permission, understanding and authority to use that information in decision making? Does he or she do so?

Recipient should allot his or her time on analyzing the information. Information is routed to the appropriate people in the organization. It means, they shall have the permission and authority to use the information.

> Is the data accurate? Has it been processed appropriately so that the information is accurate?

Accuracy of the data should be analyzed by the subject experts of that domain. These days it is not very difficult to know the authenticity of the data.

> Is the data and information searchable?

Yes, with the advancements in the technology, the data and information is searchable.

> How much corporate knowledge resides in the heads of the employees?

It depends on employee to employee. Some people gain instantly, some take time, some will cope slowly. It also depends on the employee work environment, and employee learning capabilities.

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