Are you certifiable in knowledge management?
am frequently asked about the value of knowledge management (KM) certification. I don't recommend KM certification, but some of the associated training can be helpful.
When I worked at Washington University School of Medicine's Biomedical Computer Laboratory, we taught a course called "Introduction to Programming the Laboratory Computer" which was aimed at doctors and other medical professionals. In two days, they were supposed to learn how to program a computer using assembly language. This was not a realistic goal, and most of them could not write a computer program after such minimal instruction and experience.
My colleague, Janet Johnson, and I created a spoof of this course, which we called "Survey of Medical Techniques." In two days, the course was supposed to teach the entire field of medicine to computer scientists, which seemed just as unlikely as teaching assembly language programming to physicians. The course outline is in the appendix below.
The field of knowledge management spans over 100 KM specialties. It is too broad to be certified in as a whole. Doctors get board certified in a specialty, not in the broad field of medicine. Taking a one-week class in KM and then being anointed CKM is not meaningful, and is generally not respected by experienced KM consultants and thought leaders.
Certification makes sense for narrow specialties within specific products and disciplines, such as:
It doesn’t make much sense for KM, but three organizations focused on delivering KM certification, only one of which is still active:
Other certification offerings:
APQC Certified Knowledge Manager: Knowledge Excellence Certification
Knowledge Management Academy (KM-A) - Austria
According to Patrick Lambe:
The CILIP KM Chartership program is the only one I’m aware of that involves independent professional peer review of a practice portfolio, independent of the purchase of any training products.
This is a topic on which strong opinions have been expressed. I recommend reading one or more of these threads and articles:
KM Competencies: Is Certification the Way to Go? by Patrick Lambe
Money, Testosterone and Knowledge Management by Patrick Lambe
A Perspective on Knowledge Management & Training in Europe by Barry Hardy
Anti-certification rant by Dave Snowden
Certification wars and standards by Dave Snowden
I am totally opposed to any attempt to certify people in a developing field such as KM by Dave Snowden
You can’t create a craft by committee by Dave Snowden
Professionalism in KM by Dave Snowden
On KM and certification by Dave Snowden and David Gurteen
KM Certification by David Gurteen
KM Certification - one KM professional’s opinion Manager's Choice by Art Schlussel
The problem with ‘certified’ KM training by David Griffiths
KM Certification — Another Bad Idea Threatens KM by John Maloney
Practically Speaking, Does Professional Certification in Knowledge Management Exist? by Bill Kaplan
Alternatives to KM certification include:
Columbia University: MS in Information and Knowledge Strategy (IKNS)
George Mason University: MS in Organization Development and Knowledge Management (ODKM)
Kent State University: Knowledge Management - 30-hour MS and 12-hour Graduate Certificate
Are you certified in knowledge management? Do you know of other accreditation related to KM? What do you think about the value of KM certification?
APPENDIX: Survey of Medical Techniques
This course is directed toward computer scientists who seek an appreciation of the capabilities and limitations of medical techniques as applied to life and death situations. Only a minimal background in biology and chemical theory will be assumed. Topics include:
Anatomy (2 sessions) bones, muscles, erogenous zones
Biochemistry (6 sessions — plus lab) life synthesis, cloning, and the importance of the test tube brush. Lab will concentrate on salient differences between Erlenmeyer and Florence flasks.
Pharmacology (2 sessions) the use of placebo in treating terminal acne, taking note of possible carcinogenic side effects.
Pathology (1 session) causes and cures of “horrid age spots,” and comparison of infantile eczema with Dutch elm disease.
Physiology (1 session) short overview of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Time remaining will be spent discussing physiology of the 12th century papacy.
OBGYN (2 sessions — plus lab) an exhaustive study of the reproductive system, including ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, and delivery.
Pediatrics (1 session) dealing with the results of overenthusiasm in the OBGYN lab.
Surgery (1 seminar) the stubbed toe: amputate or operate?
Psychiatry (2 sessions) use of electric shock therapy in the treatment of pathological fear of aldermen.
Dermatology (2 sessions) the role of the dermatologist during a nuclear holocaust.
Podiatry (2 sessions) why it is no longer called chiropody, and curing athletes foot with threats of reprisals.
As a representative of the KM Institute (www.kminstitute.org) which is referred to in this post, I wanted to once again set the record straight on our Certification. Our students earn the KM Institute "Certified Knowledge Manager" designation; i.e. they learn the KM Institute methodology and practical application of KM. They are not earning a generalized KM Certification but (specifically) the KM Institute's Certified Knowledge Manager program. If the main argument is you can't "Certify" an entire discipline, especially when there are 100 different "KM Specialties" as noted in the start of Mr. Garfield's article, then you're right - and it's not what we claim to do. The fact that KM Institute's "CKM" program has become the industry standard (for the most part), does not mean that it's the only course or certification for KM Professionals. In fact, we encourage KMers to learn from various sources. We teach the KM Institute Methodology - pure and simple. Let us know if you have any questions and we'll be happy to help. Email us at: training@kminstitute.org. Thank you, Eric
Digital Knowledge Consultant | Arup
4yCILIP is working with a group of leading international Knowledge Management practitioners to launch the first Professional Registration in Knowledge Management backed by Royal Charter. The scheme enrolled a pilot cohort in Q1 2019 and has recently invited a second cohort of candidates to enrol. https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/KnowledgeManagementChartership
MBA, Knowledge and Innovation Mgt., Certified Innovation Strategist, Excellence Assessor& Auditor at Dubai Government. Member of the Advisory Board in the American University in the Emirates
6yEven for the narrow specialties like Microsoft and Oracle, if the trainee does not apply and practice post the course duration, it won't of much value.
Is enough with almost 15 years of experience?, Sometimes the certification is just that, a certification. Under my experience, without any background in real experience- especially in this field that seems to be so intangible- I'm not sure it is valuable enough in the market. I have attend several workshops, meetings, training courses, conferences in my professional life, a huge percentage of people has no experience at all in this field. To be certificated is not enough.
Corporate Culture Expat
8yAm I certifiable? Maybe. In Knowledge Management, um....no