Communicate to inform or communicate to build capacities?

The first important thing I learned is the difference between communication and knowledge management. I used to do both communication and Knowledge management in my daily activities and consultancies without deeply ceasing that critical difference. Today this KM4AgD Challenge just thought me something I didn’t know I ignored. Hence I can say communication is about information sharing but knowledge management, is about sharing information that capacitates or add to the receiver’s experience to better perform in his/her job.

A section of #Km4AgD Challenge Participants, 2022

Explicit Knowledge Vs tacit knowledge

“Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I may remember, Involve me and I learn” (Benjamin Franklin)

Explicit knowledge is about tangible knowledge or knowledge products that take different formats. For instance, you can acquire that knowledge from videos, audio, or documents. However tacit knowledge is intangible and meant to be captured during a process of implementation by a professional. I had the opportunity to follow classes on knowledge capitalization given by a professional and there, the trainer shared the method through a PowerPoint presentation and gave us templates for further orientations it was a nice learning experience (thanks to #AFAAS). Then, I had the opportunity to work with professional knowledge managers on some projects and I learned many more practical skills, how to behave with the audience, tips for conducting productive interviews, how to handle stakeholders’ feelings and expectations, how to organize outputs in a document and more (thanks to #Procasur and #CAMFAAS). In a nutshell, I can say with explicit knowledge you surely learn, but tacit knowledge makes you professional and should be captured for the sustainability of the organization.

KM for Impact

The KM4AgDChallenge is a learning-by-doing process. As a trainee, it is an amazing teamwork experience that highlights the power of co-creation. Implementing Knowledge cafes, conducting KM assessments, drafting KM strategies, sharing ideas to contribute to Africa’s development, writing policy briefs, and establishing Communities of Practice are some of the core capacities strengthened. Knowledge exists, but according to each organization’s goals, it’s about where to find it, how to capture it, how to repackage it, how to share it, and measure the impact.

Now as a knowledge agent, it is time to start spreading knowledge culture and practically contribute to the development of a knowledge society.

 

It was indeed a pleasure to meet and learn from Andreas BrandnerBenjamin AbugriAndrianjafy RASOANINDRAINYBridget Kakuwa-KasongamuliloBen Moses Ilakut and Michael Victor, all amazing world-class knowledge management practitioners.

#FARAinfo ,  #KM4AgDChallenge#YPARD

Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa – FARA Knowledge for Development Partnership – K4DP YPARD African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) ASARECA CGIAR

 

Author: Bebel Nguepi, MSc., Certified Knowledge Manager

Contact. [email protected]