APQC is the world's foremost authority in benchmarking, best practices, process and performance improvement, and knowledge management.   Effective knowledge management (KM) plays a key role in today’s fast-paced environment. KM is more than just a collection of techniques; it’s a strategic approach woven into the fabric of organizational culture. By cultivating a collaborative atmosphere, organizations can encourage employees to share their insights while leveraging technology to enhance the flow of knowledge.  Gain a better understanding of the most important and enduring best practices for KM success in these articles! Understanding Knowledge Management Understanding Knowledge Mapping Understanding Communities of Practice Understanding Knowledge Loss

In this hyper-connected era and ubiquitous computing world, a tsunami of knowledge is being generated and shared by organisations.  The key concern is that knowledge alone cannot work its magic.  Knowledge should be tied to action to deliver real value in the form of cutting-edge innovations and streamlined internal processes. As technologies advance and ways of working change, knowledge management should also be redefined to achieve maximum benefits. Here is a list of some of the notable knowledge management trends that you cannot miss out on. 1. Cloud Continues to Rule Cloud hosting is a great option that is incredibly flexible and secure. To make the most of a SaaS knowledge management system, you need two things – an internet connection and a device (laptop, mobile phone, or desktop). Modern cloud-based knowledge management systems are based on a subscription model where you just pay for the services you opt for. 2.       Friendly User Interface for Effortless Navigation A good user interface facilitates a smooth interaction between the user and the knowledge management system. It is not just aesthetically pleasing but also responsive, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. 3.       Social Media Elements for Higher Engagement There is a reason why people love using social media. It keeps them connected and informed just with a few clicks and swipes. Features like activity streams, votes, likes, comments and instant sharing facilitate the culture of ‘collaboration with a click’. 4.       Information Mobility Mobile technology is here to stay for a long, long time. One major reason behind this is the heightened convenience and accessibility it provides. Today, most of the knowledge management systems are compatible with mobile phones, making information available in a flash, whether your employees are in the office or working remotely, or traveling. This information mobility promises higher productivity, better decision-making, and borderless collaboration. 5.       100% Customisation To offer feel-good experiences to employees, a knowledge management system must literally feel familiar to read and browse. A lot of information can overwhelm readers, but the way it is presented can make all the difference between good and poor employee experience. 6.       AI-Powered Search for Quick Content Discovery A knowledge management system amounts to nothing if it does not have a powerful search engine. That is why AI-powered search that works at the speed of light is a prominent knowledge management trend for this year and all coming years. Unlike a normal search system, AI-supported search produces the most relevant results after analysing the user’s search history and the context of the query.   7.       Support That Never Sleeps Customers are the primary source of revenue for any kind of business. That makes customer support an important area that cannot be ignored at any cost. Besides knowledge sharing and collaboration, a state-of-the-art knowledge management system can even help in customer support. Seeing this possibility, businesses today are employing knowledge management systems for both internal and external use. 8.       Media-Rich Content for Higher Engagement Traditional knowledge management systems consisted of lengthy documents and guides. Today’s knowledge management trends are in line with what employees want – a seamless and engaging knowledge-seeking experience. More focus is now given to content that is a rich mixture of text, images, and videos. 9.       Real-Time Notifications to Keep Employees Updated Every member having access to your KMS will get instant notifications regarding article updates, new sections created policy changes, and much more. 10.   Pragmatic Analytics for Impeccable Experiences Companies today know the tremendous power of data and analytics. Analytics helps you understand your KMS and related employee experiences in ways you cannot even imagine. Right from what your employees frequently search for to the path they take through your knowledge base, analytics decode every little activity. Analytics gives actionable insights into how many employees access your knowledge base, the language they speak and the country they live in, the bounce rate on specific pages, and much more. 11.   Powerful Collaboration Tools A knowledge management system is slowly becoming an all-purpose tool, with companies now trying to use it for both knowledge-sharing and collaboration. One of the major benefits of a knowledge-based management system is that it facilitates company-wide knowledge exchange. 12.   Flexible Management of User Roles & Permissions One of the notable features of a knowledge management system is its ability to streamline user management and define each member’s roles and responsibilities. You want a culture where employees can contribute their knowledge, share suggestions, and receive feedback, but with some level of governance. Flexible user management with you having complete control of what each user is responsible for is one of the most notable knowledge management trends for the future. 13.   Digital Workspaces A knowledge management system is a social platform where information is shared, organised, and stored securely. A digital workspace is a new idea in knowledge management that keeps your intranet segmented and organised for easy reference. If implemented, it can streamline the way knowledge is managed and shared across departments. 14.   Discussion Forums A knowledge management system is incomplete without a discussion forum. Simply coming to the KMS, sharing and retrieving information from the articles written is old school. Modern knowledge management solutions are equipped with a full-fledged discussion forum where employees can ask questions and get a response within seconds. 15.   Knowledge Bots For Prompt Access to Information The ultimate goal of a knowledge management system is to make knowledge-gathering a seamless, uninterrupted process. Knowledge bots help you achieve just that. Knowledge bots deliver relevant answers at the speed of light through chat or voice mediums. Knowledge bots act as personal assistants giving employees everything they need at a moment’s notice.

KM reference (https://www.knoco.com/knowledge-management.htm ) Story-powered communication / business story-telling (https://www.anecdote.com/ ) Real KM - evidence based, practical results (https://realkm.com/ ) Green Chameleon Blog (http://www.greenchameleon.com/ ) APQC (https://www.apqc.org/expertise/knowledge-management ) Knowledge Management Global Network (KMGN) (https://www.kmglobalnetwork.org/ ) Cynefin Co. - making sense of complexity (https://thecynefin.co/our-thinking/ ) The KMedu Hub - The Body of Knowledge for Knowledge Management Education & Training (https://kmeducationhub.de/ ) Gurteen Knowledge Website (https://www.gurteen.com/gurteen/gurteen.nsf/ ) KMWorld (https://www.kmworld.com/ ) Stan Garfield’s KM Site (https://sites.google.com/site/stangarfield ) Step Two Designs (https://www.steptwo.com.au/services/expertise-knowledge-management/ )

Theme: Championing a knowledge-sharing culture Championing a knowledge-sharing culture involves creating an environment where individuals and teams actively share information, expertise, and insights to drive learning and innovation. Call for Papers Registration KMSA Imbizo 2026 Imbizo date: 26-28 August 2026 Dear KMSA Community, Knowledge Management Scholars and Practitioners It’s our great pleasure to invite you to KMSA Imbizo 2026 , which is being organised by KMSA, and will be hosted at Oubaai Hotel and Golf Spa on the stunning Garden Route of South Africa . About our Conference: KMSA Imbizo is dedicated to taking the conversation further, and we have developed our call for papers from the collective knowledge that you contributed at the Imbizo in 2025. We listened to your knowledge need and responded. Theme: Think. Transform. Innovate. Realising Knowledge Value in a Digital Age As you reflect on the journey that KM has undertaken in your organisation, your career or in the greater society, we invite you to consider the implementation needs that the digital age continues to demand from us. We encourage a time to think about our transformative power to innovate knowledge in this digital age. We will consider academic and practitioner papers to build on the conference theme from the following: 1. AI and Digital Transformation in Knowledge Management We are keen to hear how you have put AI to the test by exploring practical and actual wins with AI and KM, or where you expose concerns regarding AI in knowledge management. This track examines practical applications of both the innovative opportunities and potential challenges of AI integration, from enhancing decision-making to addressing ethical considerations in automated knowledge systems, the dangers of hallucination and exposing empty promises towards ensuring improvements. Key topics include: AI-driven knowledge management and maturity models Leveraging big data and digital platforms for knowledge sharing Digital transformation through insight-driven innovation From information overload to intelligent insight Smart knowledge for smart nations Balancing innovation with ethical AI deployment 2. Strategic Knowledge Management and Governance Examine knowledge management as a strategic enabler for organisational success, efficiency, and continuous improvement. This track focuses on how KM creates value, drives business agility, and serves as corporate currency in the modern business landscape. Key Topics Include: KM as a strategic tool for efficiency and effectiveness Enabling value creation through knowledge management Knowledge management maturity frameworks Optimising processes and unlocking business agility Knowledge as corporate currency Policy implementation and governance in knowledge management Knowledge value and measurement Transformational leadership as a catalyst for knowledge management 3. Knowledge ecosystems as catalysts for innovation Explore knowledge ecosystems as catalysts for solving “sticky” societal problems, strengthens organisational and community resilience while driving sustainable growth. This track explores knowledge ecosystems as catalysts for innovation, economic development, and adaptive capacity in facing global challenges by connecting diverse stakeholders. Key Topics Include: Building resilient knowledge communities and organisations Harnessing knowledge ecosystems for sustainable growth Knowledge ecosystem development for climate change and global disruptions Innovation and entrepreneurship through knowledge ecosystems Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated KM for strategic decision-making Knowledge mapping and visualisation 4. People-Centric Knowledge Management and Collaboration Place people at the heart of knowledge management initiatives. This track emphasises culturally relevant approaches that honour local wisdom while shaping the future of KM education, governance, and innovation across the continent and beyond. Knowledge sharing, transfer, and retention in various contexts while addressing the human dimensions of KM, including protecting knowledge champions and fostering collaborative cultures need to be embedded. Key Topics Include: People-centric approaches towards workplace adoption of KM practices Knowledge transfer and retention in project environments Building knowledge sharing cultures Empowering and recognising knowledge champions Responsible and inclusive KM (intergenerational, intercultural, interdisciplinary, intersectoral knowledge transfer) Indigenous knowledge preservation and integration Culturally relevant KM frameworks Harnessing knowledge for a digital Africa 5. Embedded KM and future-focussed forecasts Return to foundational principles while looking ahead to emerging trends. This track explores core concepts, essential skills for KM advancement, and the evolving understanding of why knowledge truly is power in the modern era. Key Topics Include: Harnessing knowledge value for a digital future Fast-forward 15 years: KM imagined Evolving role of knowledge managers Evolving skillset requirements of knowledge managers Call for papers Practitioner submissions: Please submit your proposed title and abstract (about 400 words) by clicking on the link below. Submit your Abstract If you are accepted for the practitioner submission, you will be required to write up a short case study using the included template to start building homegrown case studies as part of the dissemination of knowledge presented at the conference. Research submissions: All submissions must be unpublished and not be under review elsewhere. All research submissions will go through a double-blind review process. Your submission will be assessed anonymously by at least two reviewers and managed by the academic program committee. We will be applying for a special issue for our 2026 submissions and will share author guidelines for full papers submissions shortly. To be considered for the research submissions, please submit your proposed title and abstract (about 400 words) by clicking on the link below. Submit your research paper Important dates: Deadline for abstracts: 11 February 2026 Notification of abstract acceptance: 25 February 2026 Deadline for full research paper submissions: 2 April 2026 Notification of full research paper acceptances: 11 June 2026 Camera-ready paper submissions: 9 July 2026 Registration details will be announced soon!

KMSA has developed a competency framework, which describes KM performance excellence for South Africa. For KMer’s success, the framework outlines behavioural, core, technical, and personal competencies. MY CAREER Discover the Power of Knowledge Your Career in Knowledge Management Awaits The world is overflowing with information, and the demand for professionals who can manage, make sense of, and leverage this vast sea of knowledge is continually growing. Welcome to the world of Knowledge Management, a dynamic, rewarding, and exciting career field that sits at the intersection of information technology, business strategy, and human interaction. Knowledge Management (KM) professionals are essential in virtually every industry, helping organizations optimize their use of information, foster innovation, improve efficiency, and gain a competitive advantage. If you're intrigued by the opportunity to shape and manage knowledge in a way that can revolutionize industries, then Knowledge Management is the career path for you. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a business strategist, or a human interaction aficionado, a career in Knowledge Management promises to be rewarding and fulfilling. Empower organizations to make the most of their knowledge, drive innovation, and forge ahead in the competitive marketplace. The future of knowledge is in your hands. Begin your exciting journey in Knowledge Management today. Embark on your KM Journey Today What Makes Knowledge Management Exciting? • Demand for KM Professionals is on the Rise • Variety and Challenge • Impact Across an Entire Organization • Lifelong Learning • The Human Connection Read More... Making KM a value-creating competency: A paradigm shift for KMers In order to perform a specific role effectively, one must have a set of skills, knowledge, abilities, and personal qualities. KMSA has developed a competency framework, which describes KM performance excellence for South Africa. For KMer’s success, the framework outlines behavioural, core, technical, and personal competencies. We are hoping that the framework will enhance the KM profession in SA in two areas: At the Webinar in early August, Kholane took us through the draft competency framework Tracking the impact of learning and development on performance Provide KMers with an understanding of what is expected of them in their job roles and what's considered to be the most important factors for success. Support KMers and their team development of competencies (Continuous Professional Development). Better recruitment and retention standards KM has been treated like an auxiliary function which is more susceptible to restructuring because the Senior Managers do not understand what “KMers do”. Support Human Resources Managers (Recruiters) and Human Resources Development (Learning and Development) in evaluating the capabilities and potential of each KMer. e-Imbizo 2022 presentation around the KM Competency Framework Need more details? Contact us We are here to assist. Contact us by phone, email or via our social media channels. Contact Us

Knowledge Management South Africa supports the research and development of knowledge management practices in both private and public sectors. Knowledge Management South Africa A Society For Knowledge Management Professionals The society is a non-profit voluntary association governed by an elected management board, and hosted by an association management company for its day to day operations. The society supports the research and development of knowledge management practices in both the private and public sectors. Articles A Message from our Chairperson Welcome Back! Celebrating 10 Years of KMSA and Building Momentum for 2026! Dive in PATRON SPONSOR OUR KM SERVICE PROVIDERS Read More Need more details? Contact us Contact Us We are here to assist. Contact us by phone, email or via our social media channels.