Steve - interesting point - I think you're onto something, especially given the way the wind is blowing regarding companies and their use of the term "knowledge management" (see my latest post).

Your comments remind of two KM-related concepts/truths. One is the notion of the Learn -> Do -> Know loop (don't know the source), which says (at least in part) that knowledge emerges from doing something; and doing something is made possible or enhanced by learning something. So to your point, from an organizational perspective perhaps this is a way of saying that knowledge is an outcome, not a point of control or direct influence.

The second thing I'm reminded of is David Garvin's wonderful learning organization framework which lays out three modes of learning: learning before doing (aka training), learning while doing (mentoring, OJT), and learning after doing (AAR). I used this on a large consulting engagement to organize eight individual "KM" initiatives into a conceptual framework that made it easier for us to explain to stakeholders how all the initiatives hung together. Again, knowledge was the targetted outcome, but the locus of control was clearly on learning.

Good point, Steve. Thanks for sharing.

-Tom

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