‘Connection not Collection’ is a critical 21^st Century KM aphorism.

The main KM defect can be summarized in two words: analytic reductionism. Because reductionism forms the foundation of much of modern, Newtonian science, naïve and often arrogant KM people presume it might be useful in our pursuits. It isn’t.

KM is composed of complex networks and adaptive systems. Furthermore, it is well established that KM is inherently irreducible and that a holistic approach is needed to achieve mastery.

Yet, puerile KM activities continue to pursue reductionist approaches which leads to confident failure. It is quite pathological, given the staggering KM failure rate. It is particularly egregious when alternatives are simple, easy and highly effective.

KM doesn’t need to learn; KM needs to unlearn! (It’s harder.)

Recall, complex systems only exhibit properties when connected to their environment.

Also, you can only ever know a tiny fraction of the complex KM ecosystem. Knowledge networks are only served, never managed. They depend on emergence, mutation, self-organization, etc.

Collection refers to the tragic waste of billions by self-absorbed KM people that build gleaming information repositories, Intranets and portals that no one uses. For most, there is positively no use for these corporate Sacred Calves in the age of Google and Facebook. Remember, db admin, CMS, library science are critical enterprise foundations – thing is, they have nothing to do with KM!

Axiomatic 21^st KM means connect don’t collect (or codify)!

Knowledge Networks

Simple comprehension of network patterns and flow paths achieves fundamental advancements in organizational KM far more than any bogus CMS, Intranet or portal.