FOREWORD

Knowledge Management Tools and Techniques documents and provides an easy-to-understand approach to the common methods, tools, and techniques often used in knowledge management (KM). In particular, it attempts to provide trainers and facilitators in national productivity organizations, small and medium enterprise owners, and other users with practical, in-depth understanding of the core tools and techniques widely used in undertaking KM in an organization. This volume also includes useful Web site references, video links, templates, and instructions to provide answers to frequently asked questions concerning the tools and techniques needed for KM implementation and which have been brought up numerous times by participants in APO projects as well. It is hoped that the easy to follow guidance provided will be helpful to all organizations venturing into KM and make a useful addition to the literature on the subject.

This manual can best be read in conjunction with Knowledge Management: Facilitator’s Guide published by the APO in 2009. Both publications were made possible by the collaborative endeavours of experts and practitioners engaged in KM from around the world including the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore, and the APO Secretariat who first met at an expert group meeting in Singapore in August 2009 and subsequently remained in contact virtually by utilizing some of the KM tools mentioned in this volume. Notably, the group used free Wiki technology during the production of this manual, which can be accessed at http://sites.google.com/site/ apokmtools/home/.

I am very grateful to Dr. Ronald Young and his colleagues for this new APO publication.

Shigeo Takenaka
Secretary-General
Tokyo, August 2010

• Powerpoint slides for APO KM tools & Techniques