ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an introduction to, and an overview of, Knowledge Management (KM) in order to assist those who are new to KM and to set the context for the rest of the book. The importance of people as the source of expertise and new knowledge within organisations was recognised even before the advent of Knowledge Management as we know it. Rosabeth Moss-Kanter wrote about the 'renewed recognition of the importance of people, and of the talents and contributions of individuals, to a company's success'. Any business function within an organisation requires resources to make it happen, and Knowledge Management is no different. The key to the success of Learn Before is a culture where seeking out information and knowledge before starting something new is accepted and even expected. Any central group needs to be sufficiently resourced to gain traction across the organisation and to become the effective process owner for Knowledge Management.
