Knowledge Management and Learning

What are the goals of the Knowledge Management Framework?

Approved in June 2004, the Knowledge Management Framework signals ADB’s first step to change into a recognized knowledge institution by formally laying down the goals, purposes, actions, outcomes, and outputs necessary to meet this transformation.

The framework intimates that, in order to fight poverty more effectively, our operations need to be backed by the best knowledge available. The framework seeks to make knowledge management a vital part of ADB by improving the:

• organizational culture for knowledge sharing
• management systems, and
• business processes and information technology solutions for knowledge capture, enrichment, and dissemination

Through the Knowledge Management Framework, ADB stated its intent to establish itself as a premier source of knowledge for Asia and the Pacific.

Why do we need knowledge management?

Organizations everywhere have realized that their most valuable asset is the knowledge embedded in staff skills and the knowledge and experience they generate from processing loans and conducting studies. This knowledge has largely remained uncollected, unorganized and mostly untapped. Moreover, technology is flooding us with more information than we can handle.

ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Ursula Schäfer-Preuss gives a clear example of the need: “Suppose someone in Asia is facing an issue with regard to Carbon Market Developments. He or she can check ADB's website, but it is very unlikely that this will help. It's not because ADB has no experience in Carbon Market but because our experience and knowledge is only available in long reports and other forms that are not readily usable. It does not provide instantly answers to relevant questions". It is important that knowledge existing in the region and in ADB is easily accessible for ADB staff and people outside of ADB. Also collaborating and networking between people and organizations back and forth supports the enrichment and refreshment of information.

Knowledge management will help us get better access to knowledge by making it easier for us to find knowledge when we need it; introducing knowledge-sharing habits and procedures that will help us tame the information overload; providing venues that will transfer knowledge from tacit to explicit; and spurring activities to enrich, capture, summarize, and disseminate knowledge.

What are the benefits of knowledge management?

Although quantifying the benefits of knowledge management is difficult, a lot of progress has been made on this. ADB Vice-President Ursula Schäfer-Preuss explains the benefits clearly, citing three dimensions:

• efficient management of knowledge within ADB ("If somebody is designing a project in Pakistan, that person should be able to look at similar projects elsewhere and apply the lessons learned from its experience or contact directly staff involved in project design.")
• learning from and sharing knowledge with our developing member countries (“In the Philippines, people want to know why Thailand is doing so well.")
• ADB as a hub for knowledge on Asian and Pacific countries ("In India, the people want to find out how things are done in People's Republic of China.")

Where is the focal point for knowledge management in ADB?

The Knowledge Management Framework proposed the creation of a Knowledge Management Center under the Regional and Sustainable Development Department to be the focal point for knowledge management at ADB. The Knowledge Management Center was officially created in June 2004. It is Center's task to push the agenda set by the framework.

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