ISKME conducted an information audit for Grantmakers for Education (GFE), seeking to develop a better understanding of GFE members’ information needs prior to the design and implementation of an internal knowledge management system.
ISKME conducted a series of 30 interviews and 2 focus groups with a subset of GFE members in order to determine the various outcomes and objectives for such a system; to identify what information people most desire in their work; to assess their potential need for the system and the extent to which they would use it; to determine how these needs differ by segments; and to identify existing or emerging communities of practice that could be used to build support for and use of the system. Additionally, findings from the audit were used to inform the design and architecture of the system and identify the need for, and design of, possible taxonomies.
The knowledge management system is much more than a technology initiative; it is an initiative to shape the culture of a field.
