Glossary

Knowledge management

Knowledge management is the systematic process of capturing, organizing, distributing and effectively using institutional knowledge. It transforms scattered information – such as technical documentation, policies, procedures and employee expertise – into a centralized, accessible asset that improves decision-making, innovation and operational efficiency.

Description

In many organizations, valuable knowledge is locked away in static documents, email chains or the minds of individual employees. Knowledge management (KM) solves this by creating a structured framework for gathering and sharing this information. It ensures that the right people have access to the right information at the right time, preventing knowledge silos and "brain drain" when employees leave.

Modern knowledge management has evolved beyond simple file repositories. It now relies on intelligent content strategies that break information down into granular, reusable components. This approach allows knowledge to be maintained in a single source of truth and delivered dynamically to various channels – whether that’s a customer self-service portal, a chatbot or a technician’s mobile app. Advanced KM systems also leverage Semantic AI and knowledge graphs to tag and connect content automatically. This makes information easier to find by understanding the intent behind a search query rather than just matching keywords.

Example use cases

  • Self-service: Powering help centers and chatbots with accurate, bite-sized answers.
  • Onboarding: Providing a centralized hub for policies and learning materials.
  • Field service: Giving technicians instant access to troubleshooting guides on mobile.
  • Support: Equipping support agents with verified solutions and scripts.
  • Compliance: Managing critical documentation with full version control.

Key benefits

Efficiency
Reduces the time employees spend searching for information.
Consistency
Ensures a single source of truth across all channels.
Experience
Enables faster, more accurate responses to customer inquiries.
Retention
Captures institutional expertise so it stays within the company.
Retention
Frees up subject-matter experts from repetitive questions.

RWS perspective

RWS views knowledge management as the foundation of the intelligent enterprise. We help organizations transform their static documents into a dynamic Enterprise Knowledge Hub using Tridion.

Our approach combines the structure of a Component Content Management System (CCMS) with the intelligence of Semantic AI. This allows you to capture knowledge once, enrich it with metadata and deliver it everywhere. By connecting your content ecosystem – from technical documentation to customer support – we help you turn raw information into actionable intelligence that drives business performance and global understanding.