Military Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management within the military seems to be one of the most misunderstood concepts. I just had a discussion with someone and I mentioned adding Knowledge Management to my duties and he told me that another employee wanted to do something with SharePoint. To most military and DoD civilians, it seems that Knowledge Management = Microsoft SharePoint. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. MS SharePoint is a technological tool that can be used to store codified knowledge, but is not/should not be considered a substitute for knowledge management.

Organizations that figure out how to manage the knowledge residing within their employees enhance their operations, avoid costs, save time by eliminating “rework”, and become more effective. Organizations that fail to manage their knowledge are in danger of being relegated to the trash bin of history.

Definitions
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Knowledge as a) “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association; acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique,” b) “the fact or condition of being aware of something,” and c) “the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning (cognition).” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge)

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Management as “judicious use of means to accomplish an end.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/management)

Given those two definitions, it follows that Knowledge Management can be defined as the conscience act of using information to achieve a designated purpose or to enhance operations.

Forms of Knowledge

Knowledge comes in two forms – tacit information, that is information stored in someone’s head; and explicit knowledge, or knowledge that has been codified (documented) in some way. Tacit knowledge comprises approximately 80% of all knowledge. Much of that knowledge cannot be easily codified, which makes personal contact extremely important for knowledge transference.

In order to properly use knowledge management, one needs to know three things about knowledge: ways to transfer knowledge, purposes of knowledge, and reasons to use knowledge.

There are two methods of knowledge transference: Personalization (P) vs. Codification (C).
Personalization involves discussions between two or more people. This type of transference is more likely to expand ideas in new directions, leading to innovations. Codification is basically “putting pen to paper” and putting knowledge in written form. Forms include After Action Reports, Documents, or PowerPoint Presentations. Codification does not generally lead to
innovations – it is new information only to the reviewer of this knowledge.

There are two purposes for knowledge use: Advancement (A) vs. Survival (S). Advancement is
innovating, creating new ideas or products. Survival is using knowledge to maintain current operations or keep the current situation stable.

There are two uses for knowledge: Exploration (ER) vs. Exploitation (EX). Exploration is the
act of taking knowledge in new directions to create new products or gain a market advantage. Exploitation is using the knowledge to better leverage what you already know.

Models
There are two perfect alignments of knowledge management – one model is Personalization (P) --> Advancement (A) --> Exploration (ER); the other model is Codification (C) --> Survival (S) --> Exploitation (EX).

You should note that these two “formulas” are incomplete as they only show the majority actions taking place. In an organization focusing on Personalization, there still will be codification occurring. A better way to show these relations are the use of capital letters and lowercase letters denoting the major and minor focus actions. Model one then becomes: Pc-->As-->ERex and Model two becomes Cp-->Sa-->EXer.

In Model one, the organization encourages personal contacts and discussions (Pc) and uses new knowledge created to advance new ideas and new approaches (As) to their business, which encourages exploration (ERex).

In Model two, the organization is pursuing Codification (Cp) which inhibits creation of new knowledge, leaving it stuck in survival mode rather than advancing new ideas (Sa). This leads the organization to use their knowledge to try to exploit the market with their current knowledge rather than exploring new situations (EXer).

Recommendations
Knowledge transfer can occur along any line of communication. Tacit information will most often transfer via direct conversation as it can be difficult to codify. Tacit information becomes explicit knowledge once it’s been recorded in some way (codified). This will make knowledge available to others within the organization.

Codification can be via written documents, voice or video recordings, emails, etc. Sharing codified information can be much easier than sharing tacit information, given technology such as email and share portals. Codified information by definition is already known knowledge, but it
could be new to someone else. Codified knowledge generally does not lead to the advancement of new ideas or new ways of conducting business.

Since roughly 80% of all knowledge is difficult to codify and is, therefore, tacit knowledge, the preferred method of knowledge transfer is direct conversation. Leaders must get into the habit of having verbal conversations with people instead of email discussions. A proactive leader is a
leader who can implement new ideas. Advancement of new ideas generally comes from the personalization of knowledge between two or more people. Codified knowledge may give new information, but it is likely only new to the reader since someone documented it.

Meetings can be a good place to personalize knowledge, but it will depend on the leader holding the meeting, the size of the group, and the environment of the meeting. If the meeting is an open forum for discussion and no one gets “shot down” for bringing up ideas, it could be a sign of a growing organization that is actively striving to personalize, advance, and explore new knowledge. If the leader shoots down ideas, the organization will begin to stagnate because no one will want to be “shot” by the leader. That will lead that organization into codification, survival, and exploitation mode until either a new leader takes over or the organization ceases to exist over time.

Summary
Knowledge management, done correctly, has the ability to greatly enhance operations, avoid unnecessary costs, and bring organizations into the future. On the other hand, organizations that do not properly manage their knowledge risk entry into a sort of death spiral of codification, survival, and exploitation until new leadership emerges or the organization ceases to exist. For that reason alone, it is vitally important to every organization to begin harnessing the knowledge resident within their employees in order to avoid extinction.

Army Suggestion Program idea

Anyone ever think of this as a way to save money? I just submitted it for consideration.


Subject of Suggestion:
Military services consolidation

Current Procedure:
We have four distinct military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps (I know it's officially part of the Navy). These services all have human resources, military police, contracting, finance, supply, and intelligence MOSs.

Proposed Procedure:
Why don't all four military services combine into one military?

Benefits if Adopted:
This would consolidate all the areas I listed above and would eliminate or vastly reduce duplication of services and would reduce the number of military bases we currently maintain.

A human resources technician should be able to provide HR service no matter the location - whether on base in Georgia or on board a carrier at sea. Same goes for military police, intelligence, finance, and contracting.

Military service consolidation would also consolidate the armored vehicles and helicopters the services use - mainly between the Army and Marine Corps. This would also reduce duplication of service personnel. If there were one military service with standardized equipment, there would not be a need for such a diverse population of mechanics or armorers.

Consolidation would impact the number of military bases we have around the country because they would all become Joint Bases and we could further consolidate bases to save money. There would be less PCS moves, fewer civilian personnel, less utility bills, and less maintence required.

This is something that likely will have be evaluated at the Department of Defense or Congressional level and may take a Constitutional Amendment due to the clause in the base Constitution to fund and Army and a Navy.

Prediction

Here's my prediction on the current budget battle happening in Washington, D.C.

First, the "super committee" will not come to a deal that they or the Congress will support and the massive budget cuts will automatically be enacted.

Second, the Army and Marine Corps will bear the brunt of the defense cuts with a couple hundred thousand Soldiers and Marines either being separated through denial of reenlistments, qualitative management boards, or early/medical retirements within the next two years.

Third, the United States will once again rely heavily on the Air Force and Navy to provide deterrents around the world and provide for our defense.

I hope I am wrong, but those are the signs I am seeing. Must be the pessimest in me coming out.

"Featured Member" of the Army's Leader.Net professional forum for August 2011

I've never been published before. I was surprised when one posting about my experiences with bad bosses in the Army garnered me an "interview." I wrote my essay about my experiences and submitted it and next thing I know I am the Featured Member of the Leader.Net.

Here's where you can find my essay (you will need your Army Knowledge Online account credentials to access it): LINK

2011

Funny how I haven't written in the blog lately. They tried to get us to make blogging a habit in ILE, but I guess only Art took to it. My last blog entry was July 2010. My other classmates last blogs were all two years ago. Amazing.

I find it hard to think of things to write about that won't get me into trouble. It's just easier to not make public statements, I guess.

I should be getting my assignment instructions this week. My DEROS (date of rotation from overseas) was extended from Oct 2011 to Oct 2014. I am hopeful that my plan with my Assignment Officer holds and my report instructions are what I think they will be.

I had an email from my future boss asking for an office call. I set it up for 18 March. He told me that they told their higher command that they do want me, so I think my assignment will go through. I should know for sure this week.

Patti and I planned out our vacations for this year. We planned in for a return trip to Maui for four days and a two-week trip to Phoenix and Los Angeles. Should be good times. Looking forward to both trips - more so for Maui. This time we will be sure to take more outdoor photos and enjoy some of the beaches.

Life in America

I am having doubts whether it is feasible to retire in the United States. I have four more years of active duty service to this country before I am eligible to retire. I'm not sure I will be able to, financially speaking.

This country seems to be in the midst of the darkest of nights in terms of social politicization, lack of God and christian values, and financial turmoil. It's very depressing to see this country falling from grace.

The path to redemption's first step is to stop attacking religion and allow God to reign supreme across the land once again. The United States was founded on Christian values and we (as a country) do not seem to adhere to them anymore. Look at the crap Hollywood is producing. Any of that moral, ethical, or Christian-centered? Look at the politics of today. Washington DC is sueing my adopted home state of Arizona for enacting a law that mandates enforcing of Federal immigration laws and bans racial profiling. What if DC wins? Does current US immigration law become null and void? Why is our President not fighting to secure our borders when illegal immigrates and drug runners cross the border by the dozens? Why is the Federal Government placing signs recommending that American citizens not proceed into certain areas? Why is the President not sending the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security into battle on the southern border? For that matter, why do we have two departments doing the job one should be doing? Why is the news media ignoring important stories and concentrating on non-stories? What happened to the Black Panther Case? Why does everyone know that a lady in FL was convicted of murder when that doesn't impact the country at large? Who cares about Mel Gibson anyway? Why is the Government taking over companies and telling people what they have to buy? Why is the Government telling me that I can only withdraw from my savings account six times? Where does the Constitution say that the Government can restrict my banking? Where does the Constitution say the Government can mandate every American buy health insurance?

The more I see, the more I question, and the more depressed I get about the future of our country. I do not know if this country can survive the next few years - and that scares the hell out of me.

Hacked Gmail

There is probably nothing in life as frustrating as trying to reclaim a hijacked gmail account

My thoughts on the government's health insurance debate

It seems to me that if Uncle Sam takes over all health insurance and medical care, then going to the doctor will be more like going to the Post Office. I hate going to the Post Office because it always takes too long. You’ll stand in long lines waiting for slow customer service from people who don’t have high standards. And you’ll probably have to fill out 20 forms with irrelevant questions.

I know that I don’t want to pay $900/month for coverage and lose that coverage if I lose my job or retire – in other wants I want to be able to get a good price and not have my insurance tied to my employment. I think that we might be better served as a country to keep government out of the health industry and make health insurance more like car insurance. Competition will drive prices down. As soon as government gets involved – even something so simple as mandating everyone have it – prices will jump because – in my example – everyone must have it. When a commodity becomes a necessity, providers can charge more for it. I would think being able to go to places like State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, USAA, ETC to shop for the best service at the best price would be the best solution. And the politicians are framing this about health care reform. But no one is leaving the US for treatment. People are coming here from Europe and Canada for treatment. And no one is turned away from emergency rooms – everyone gets treated, no matter their ability to pay.

When there’s a monopoly, there’s no price control. Whoever owns the monopoly can set whatever price they want – in this case it would be Uncle Sam. Actually I never thought about this health care issue as the US government becoming the monopoly owner until I typed it. I think that breaks some anti-trust laws from the early 1900s (when workers and consumers were being abused by monopolies).

We hold these truths to be self-evident

Given that Independence Day is next weekend, I thought it fitting to post the Declaration of Independence on my blog space.

With the passing of the "Cap and Tax" bill by the House of Representatives yesterday I am forced to wonder if our government represents American citizens anymore. The American Heritage website (www.heritage.org) says that the "Cap and Tax" bill will raise electricity bills by 90% and increase the cost of gasoline by 55%. Our Congress is inflicting this on us during a recession. It makes no sense. Employers will not be able to afford basic utility services and employees, something will have to give - more likely people will find themselves unemployed. Unemployed people will not be able to afford their electric bills or the cost of gasoline to get to and from work or job interviews. I fear that we are being driven full speed into another great depression. I am worried that our country will not survive another year at this rate.

We have a federal government that is taking over banks, mortgage companies, automobile companies and dealerships, and health care industries, while increasing our costs to unprecedented levels. The average American citizen will be faced with electric bills that have doubled, increased cost of gasoline, and unemployment. And at the rate we are printing money out of thin air, we probably will be facing at least double-digit inflation within the next year or two. I fear that before this economic crisis is complete, Americans will be reduced to living like Somalis. Is that the objective of our current government or just side effects from their current policies? If that is our current government's objective, then maybe it's time (as then-President-Elect Obama called for on 17 January 2009) for a new Declaration of Independence. It's only fitting to post it here.

The American Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Ko 'Olina

I got to enjoy Ko 'Olina Lagoon #2 with my family on Tuesday.  I am on leave for the second week of Spring Break.  Ko 'Olina is a big J.R. Mariott resort area with four man-made lagoons on Oahu Island's west coast.  You can see the large rock piles in the photo - those rocks block the large waves, keeping the lagoon nearly wave-less.  Perfect for young kids.

We went back yesterday, but the water felt like ice.  I didn't get in past my knees because it just wasn't warming up enough for my liking.  Thomas was enjoying it though.  Amazing that kids don't seem to notice how cold they are when they are having a good time.  He was shivering when we finally pulled him out to leave.

I think Ko 'Olina is one of the best beaches.  To get there, you stay on the H-1 expressway.  It will turn into Farrington Highway.  Go through the first traffic light and Ko 'Olina will be the next exit ramp on the right.  The first day we went, the guard at the shack gave us a yellow pass.  The second day they just let us through.  Must be because of the time difference (Tuesday we got there at 10:30, Wednesday at 9:30).

Interesting stuff in Tokyo

I got to see a couple of interesting things in Tokyo while I was over there.  One was an R2-D2 wastebasket.  If I had room in my suitcases, I would have bought it.

Another interesting thing was the restaurant we ate in during our excursion to Michada.  This restaurant had plastic models of food in the window - all numbered.  When you walked inside, there was a vending machine - everything written in Japanese and numbered.  You had to match the number from the model to the number on the vending machine to get the food you chose.  You insert your money into the machine and push the corresponding number to get a ticket issued.  You then had to take the ticket to the cook at the kitchen window.  It took about five minutes to get my food.  I guess that's the Japanese version of fast food.

I noticed that Japan has Kentucky Fried Chicken and Denny's.  I never knew...

Back from Japan

I just spent three weeks at Camp Zama, Japan.  It's a very small post.  I think "Sleepy Hallow" was named after Camp Zama.  It's interesting trying to get a shower on the weekends when you are working from 8am to 8pm and the gym is only open from 10am to 6pm.  It's also interesting trying to eat after your shift because the post pretty much closes down at 9pm.  I sure hate it for night shift workers.

It was cold over there too.  I got used to the Hawaiian weather.  It snowed early in my tour over there.  Someone built a foot-tall snowman.  Unfortunately someone crushed the snowman the next morning - the first casualty of our command post exercise.

I'm glad to be back in Hawaii with my family, with my stuff, with my normal working hours, and with the option for a shower anytime I want it.

Still living the dream

The initial shock that I am actually living in Hawaii has almost worn off.  I've seen every major part of Oahu Island with the exception of the Waianai coast (the west coast of Oahu).  Saturday we finally drove around the north-east tip of the island and past the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Pretty neat views of the ocean.  We stopped at Koalua Park and walked along the beach for a few minutes and I picked up about a dozen kukie nuts.  Maybe someday I will drill through them and make my own lei necklace.

We finally broke down and got a dog 9 days ago.   He is a purebred Shiba Inu.  He is sesame colored and we renamed him Jedi.  He looks like a noble guardian and the name fits him well.  We took him to the dog park and he was loving it being able to run around the yard with the big dogs.  I think that will become an almost daily tradition.

Living the dream!

I can't believe I am living in Hawaii!  Great things are happening in my life this year.  We arrived in Hawaii on 21 October.  We got a rental car for a month - just turned it in on the 19th of November.  It was a PT Cruiser - the car that looks like it was designed for mobsters in the 1920s.  I think of mobsters hanging out the window with "Tommy Guns" when I see a PT Cruiser.  But it was transportation.

We got our minivan (shipped on orders) on November 10th.  That's humorous because we shipped it on October 20th.  We shipped my truck (on credit card) on 17 Oct and I just got it on 20 November.  It looked like they drove it through every mud hole between Atlanta and San Diego that they could find.  Someone's got a broken windshield because there was thick glass all over my rear bumper - not mine.

We decided since step tubes were cheaper in Honolulu than Augusta to get them installed on my truck to make it easier for the kids to get in and out.  They look fantastic on my truck.  I will get a picture next time it stops raining.  We also got the windows tinted yesterday.  The one thing about my truck my wife really didn't like was the lack of tinting on the windows.  That's fixed now and the truck looks marvelous.

We've done all kinds of things since arriving in Hawaii - the Dole Plantation maze, Waikiki beach, Hickam beach, Ka'ena Point, Robin Master's tidal pool, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base and the H3 (waterfalls), Schofield Barracks, the Pali Highway and Kamahaha's final battlesite to unite the islands.  All of it is really cool stuff.  I think my favorite so far is hiking to Ka'ena Point and seeing a Monk Seal sunbathing on the beach.  

Friday, my boss decided that I will be in charge of the help desk operations - chief of network support.  So I finally begin my real job.  I am looking forward to it.

Graduated yesterday!

We graduated from ILE yesterday.  Augusta feels a little emptier with most of my classmates gone.

I will leave Augusta next Friday for Atlanta.  I will spend the weekend in Atlanta, drop the cars on Monday for shipment to Hawaii, and board a plane on Tuesday for Hawaii.  That means I am 11 days from fulfilling a lifelong dream of getting to Hawaii.  Time for a new goal...