Knowledge Management in ADB

ADB’s Knowledge Management Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the goals of the KM Framework?

Approved in June 2004, the Knowledge Management (KM) 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 KM Framework essentially says 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 (KM) a vital part of ADB by improving:

• the organizational culture for knowledge sharing
• our management system, and
• the business processes and IT solutions for knowledge capture, enrichment and dissemination

Through the KMF, ADB stated its intent to establish itself as a premiere source of knowledge for Asia.

2. 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 web site, 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.

KM 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 (i.e., knowledge that remains in our heads) to implicit (i.e., knowledge that is captured in a form that can be easily shared); and spurring activities to enrich, capture, summarize and disseminate knowledge.

3. What are the benefits of KM?

Although quantifying the benefits of KM is difficult, a lot of progress has been made on this. ADB Vice-President Ursula Schäfer-Preuss explains the benefits clearly, using 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 DMCs (“In the Philippines, people want to know why Thailand is doing so well.”)
• ADB as a hub for knowledge on Asia and Pacific countries (“In India, the people want to find out how things are done in PRC.”)

4. Who is the focal point for KM in ADB?

The KM Framework proposed the creation of a KM Center under RSDD to be the focal point for knowledge management at ADB. The KM Center was officially created in June 2004. It is KM Center’s task to push the agenda set by the KMF.

To learn more of ADB’s knowledge management efforts, see KM Materials.

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