ISO 30401:2018/Amd 1:2022

Overview

ISO 30401:2018/Amd 1:2022 is an important amendment to the international standard ISO 30401:2018, titled Knowledge Management Systems - Requirements. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this amendment refines and expands the requirements and terminology surrounding knowledge management systems (KMS) within organizations. It promotes a structured approach to managing organizational knowledge, enhancing the value derived from knowledge assets, and improving overall organizational performance.

This amendment plays a crucial role in harmonizing knowledge management practices globally by updating definitions and concepts essential for establishing effective knowledge management systems aligned with ISO's broader management system standards.

Key Topics

The amendment introduces and clarifies key terms and concepts integral to knowledge management systems, including:

• Interested Party (Stakeholder): Persons or organizations that can affect or be affected by decisions or activities within the knowledge management framework, such as customers, owners, suppliers, and partners.

• Management System: A set of interrelated or interacting elements (organizational structure, roles, planning, and operation) dedicated to achieving specified policies and objectives within knowledge management.

• Collaboration: Joint efforts by two or more individuals across different organizational or geographic boundaries to achieve common knowledge management goals based on trust and shared knowledge.

• Knowledge: Defined as a human or organizational asset enabling effective decisions and actions in context, encompassing insights, know-how, and codified knowledge.

• Knowledge Management: A holistic, cross-functional discipline involving the creation, acquisition, application, sharing, and protection of knowledge aimed at enhancing organizational value.

• Knowledge Management System: The component of a management system specifically focused on knowledge, including the organizational culture related to managing knowledge.

• Organizational Culture: Values, beliefs, and practices influencing behavior and conduct within an organization, impacting how knowledge is managed.

• Key Practices and Concepts:

  • Before Action Review (BAR): Risk and opportunity assessment before task execution, integrating lessons learned.
  • Codified Knowledge: Knowledge represented through words, numbers, images, or symbols, useful for sharing and documentation.
  • Community of Practice: Networks fostering shared knowledge in specific domains with active practitioner interaction.
  • Critical Knowledge: Knowledge with significant impact on organizational performance, guiding KMS priorities.
  • Knowledge Cafe: Structured social interactions designed to generate insights and dialogue on shared interests.
  • Knowledge Creation: Generation of new knowledge through research, innovation, discussion, or reflection.
  • Knowledge Work: Tasks where knowledge is a significant input and output.
  • Lessons Learned: Behavioral changes and recommendations derived from experience and reflection.

Applications

ISO 30401:2018/Amd 1:2022 supports organizations in:

• Establishing or enhancing knowledge management systems that align with international best practices.
• Defining clear roles and responsibilities for knowledge management to improve decision-making and innovation.
• Fostering collaboration and culture that encourage knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
• Identifying and prioritizing critical knowledge assets for protection and effective utilization.
• Implementing structured processes like Before Action Review and Knowledge Cafe to manage risks and generate organizational insights.
• Integrating knowledge management into broader organizational management systems for cohesive improvement efforts.

The amendment is applicable across diverse industries, public and private sectors, and organizations of different sizes seeking to capitalize on knowledge as a strategic asset.

Related Standards

• ISO 30400:2016 - Knowledge Management Terminology: Provides foundational terms used within ISO 30401 and its amendments.
• ISO 9000:2015 - Quality Management Systems - Fundamentals and Vocabulary: Offers definitions that complement knowledge management terminology, such as "correction".
• ISO/IEC Directives - Procedures and editorial rules relevant for development and maintenance of ISO documents.
• Other Human Resource Management Standards - Developed by ISO/TC 260, guiding the broader context in which knowledge management systems operate.

By aligning with ISO 30401:2018/Amd 1:2022, organizations improve their capacity to leverage knowledge systematically, leading to enhanced innovation, competitive advantage, and sustainable performance improvements.