Microsoft's KM Implementation: Case Study Analysis and Presentation

This presentation offers a comprehensive case study of Microsoft's knowledge management (KM) initiatives. It begins with an introduction to KM and an organizational overview of Microsoft, highlighting its commitment to effective knowledge sharing and employee competence. The presentation then details the opportunities that KM presented for Microsoft, such as improved employee productivity and easier knowledge transfer. It describes the nature of Microsoft's KM initiative, including the development of an online system for employee data storage, the evolution of the KM process to facilitate knowledge sharing, the introduction of online courses and training programs, and the use of SharePoint. The presentation analyzes the difficulties faced during implementation, such as data confidentiality and maintaining the relevancy of information. Finally, it assesses the success of the KM initiative, emphasizing content moderation, SharePoint services, and regular employee feedback, concluding with a summary of the presentation's key points and the importance of employee participation in knowledge sharing.

KNOWLEDGE
MANAGEMENT
Case study of Microsoft

Presentation Outline
◦ The presentation will discuss the following topics-
Introduction
Organizational Description
The opportunity
Nature of Knowledge Management Initiative
 Analysis of the difficulties in Implementing the system
Analysis of success of Knowledge Management
Conclusion
References

Introduction
◦ Knowledge management is a key
process of effective knowledge
creation and knowledge sharing
(Hislop, Bosua and Helms 2018)
◦ KM aims in improving the internal
work processes of the organization
◦ The presentation will focus on the
KM initiative undertaken by
Microsoft, its opportunities and the
difficulties it had faced
implementation of a KM system.

Organizational Description
◦ Microsoft was established by Bill
Gates in the year 1975
◦ It is an American Multinational
Company
◦ Microsoft ensured effective
knowledge Management to
increase the competence level of its
employees (Microsoft.com. 2020)
◦ The Company has taken a number
of initiative in effective KM

The opportunity
◦ Effective KM in Microsoft proved
be an opportunity of the company.
◦ It allowed Microsoft to share the
knowledge base of the employees
with each other (Microsoft.com.
2020)
◦ The KM initiative taken by
Microsoft helped in easier
knowledge transfer among the
employees that increased the
employee productivity

Nature of Knowledge Management
Initiative in Microsoft
◦ The KM initiative at Microsoft
started as early as in 1995
◦ The start was with development of
an online system to store the data
of the employees
◦ Microsoft wanted to keep a track of
the competency level of the
employees

Nature of Knowledge Management
Initiative in Microsoft (cont..)
◦ To KM process in Microsoft
gradually evolved to ascertain that
the employees of the organization
are sharing their knowledge to
improve their competency level
◦ The KM process was further
improved by introduction of online
courses and training (Massingham
and Massingham 2014)
◦ The training processes facilitated
the employee learning process

Nature of Knowledge Management
Initiative in Microsoft (Cont..)
◦ The access to the SharePoint
library further improved the
interaction process with the
employees
◦ As a part of KM initiative,
Microsoft offer more than 2000
courses and training programs .
◦ The designing of the online courses
and training programs is associated
with the needs of the employees

Nature of Knowledge Management
Initiative in Microsoft (Cont..)
◦ Regular feedbacks are taken from
the employees to identify their
needs and for designing the online
courses as per the needs
◦ Thus, it can be said that the KM
initiative by Microsoft is a success
as it has been executed by the
organization in a planned manner
(Langfeld, Spence and Noel 2004)
◦ KM initiative helped Microsoft in
optimizing its work processes.

Analysis of Difficulties in System
Implementation
◦ The implementation of KM system
requires effective planning
◦ There are certain key issues and
difficulties that can be faced with
the implementation of KM system
◦ The key issues is associated with
maintaining the data confidentiality
(Tzortzaki and Mihiotis 2014)
◦ Microsoft might have faced several
challenges in implementation of the
system

Analysis of Difficulties in System
Implementation (Cont..)
◦ Apart from maintaining an
adequate level of security, the issue
that Microsoft has faced is linked
with maintaining the relevancy of
the information stored
◦ Another challenge that Microsoft
might have faced is linked with
moderation of the content of the
KM system and keeping the system
up to date

Assessment of success of
Knowledge Management
◦ Microsoft successfully managed to
control the major issues and was
successful with their KM initiative
◦ The content moderation of the KM
system was done in an effective
manner that led to the success of
the KM initiative by Microsoft
◦ Continuous access to the
SharePoint services further
contributed to success