Contrary positions about modeling knowledge work

Abstract

Modeling for knowledge management (KM) is fundamentally influenced by decisions about which approach, focus, perspectives or modeling language should be used. This paper characterizes three key decisions with regard to what modeling should focus on, which units of description are appropriate and what level of granularity is suited and relates them to a general framework that structures the quality of conceptual modeling. For each decision, contrary positions are highlighted and based on this investigation theses about modeling knowledge work are formulated. It is argued for a more flexible modeling of knowledge work by starting from hot spots of knowledge work with high potential for improvement, using situations as basic units of description and modeling on task level to provide starting points for KM support. The theses developed are related to the concept of knowledge stance that seems to be a promising approach to describe recurring situations of knowledge work. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.