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Measuring the impact of knowledge management

Updated: Apr 26

Measuring the Impact of Knowledge Management


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To evaluate the success of your knowledge management initiatives and identify areas for improvement, it's important to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and track the impact of your efforts.


Consider the following steps to measure the effectiveness of your knowledge management strategy:

Setting KPIs

Determine KPIs that align with your help desk's objectives and reflect the impact of knowledge management on your team's performance. Of course, precisely what you can measure depends on how knowledge is presented to help desk staff and customers and whether you can gather the data to make conclusions.


Examples of relevant KPIs may include:


First Contact Resolution (FCR) Rate

The percentage of issues resolved by the helpdesk during the first contact with the user. A high FCR rate indicates that your knowledge base effectively provides the necessary information for resolving issues quickly.


Knowledge Base Utilisation

The percentage of helpdesk tickets resolved using information from the knowledge base. A high utilisation rate indicates that the helpdesk staff uses the knowledge base effectively.


Knowledge Base Content Quality

The average satisfaction rating given by users and helpdesk staff on the usefulness and accuracy of knowledge base articles.


Knowledge Article Creation Rate

The number of new articles added to the knowledge base in a given period. A higher rate indicates that your organisation is proactively capturing and documenting knowledge.


Article Update Frequency

The average time between updates to knowledge base articles. Frequent updates indicate that the knowledge base is being actively maintained and updated with the latest information.


Self-service Resolution Rate

The percentage of users who could resolve their issues using self-service resources like the knowledge base without contacting the helpdesk. A higher self-service resolution rate demonstrates the effectiveness of the knowledge base in helping users troubleshoot problems independently.


Knowledge Base Search Effectiveness

The percentage of searches in the knowledge base that return relevant results or lead to problem resolution. A higher ratio indicates a more efficient and valuable knowledge base.

Tracking Improvements in Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction

Monitor the KPIs you've established to assess the impact of your knowledge management initiatives on your team's efficiency and customer satisfaction. Compare data before and after implementing your knowledge management strategy to identify trends and measure progress.

Evaluating the Success of Knowledge-Sharing Initiatives

Analyse the usage and effectiveness of your knowledge-sharing platforms and activities. For example, track participation in team training sessions, assess the usefulness of shared documents or gauge engagement on your internal forums. This analysis can help you identify which initiatives are most successful and where adjustments may be needed.

Identifying Areas for Continuous Improvement

Regularly review the results of your KPI tracking and analysis to identify areas for improvement in your knowledge management efforts. Recognise successes, learn from challenges, and refine your knowledge management strategy to better serve your team's needs and objectives.

By measuring the impact of your knowledge management initiatives, you'll gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your efforts, enabling you to make informed decisions and continuously improve your help desk's performance.

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About the author

Alan Parker is an IT consultant and project manager who specialises in IT governance, process implementation, and project delivery. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Alan believes that simplifying complex challenges and avoiding pitfalls are key to successful IT management. He has led various IT teams and projects across multiple organisations, continually honing his expertise in ITIL and PRINCE2 methodologies. Alan holds a degree in Information Systems and has been recognised for his ability to deliver reliable and effective IT solutions. He lives in Berkshire, UK, with his family.

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