If you’ve just been put in charge of Knowledge at your law firm and you are wondering where on earth to begin,
take a deep breath and start here…
What is “Knowledge” and “Knowledge Management”?
Before you understand how best to help your lawyers with their knowledge-needs, you must understand what exactly it is that you are “managing”.
Knowledge is different to information and it isn’t all about databases.
- What is Knowledge Management?
- You can’t manage Knowledge
- A law librarian’s guide to Knowledge Management
Where do I start?
It’s easy to get bogged down 
when you take over responsibility for KM, or to be overwhelmed with everything you could be doing to improve knowledge flows within the organisation or the thought that you need to do a whole firm knowledge audit and all-encompassing KM strategy before anything else.
Although you will need an audit and strategy eventually, there is a lot you can do straightaway, and you can write a mini fast-track KM strategy today (see KM Handbook and “In the Know” below).
For some more ideas of where to start, try these:
And have a look at my textbooks – “Knowledge Management Handbook” and “Practical Projects in Legal KM”. I’d also recommend these books and these.
What do other people do?
Various Heads of Knowledge have kindly shared their thoughts with me about their firm’s KM priorities and top tips. Read these here.
Where can I learn more?
I run a day-long foundation courses on the basics of KM in London each year, and an afternoon workshop on KM metrics. I also run one afternoon workshop on KM Strategy each year and some other workshops.
If you are interested in coming along, you can browse and book on Eventbrite here.
I can also run bespoke in-house training events, or I could put a programme together for you with a mix of training and coaching.
And don’t forget, whatever is going on, you can always talk to me. I’m usually happy to have a coffee and a chat (in person or by skype, depending on how far away you are) whilst you find your feet.
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Knowledge for Lawyers 