News
Managing Knowledge in Nuclear Research and Development Organizations
International Expert Group Discusses Knowledge Management Practices for R&D
27 November 2007 - Experts from national and international research organizations in 13 Member States met at the IAEA's Headquarters in Vienna on 19-23 November 2007 to discuss knowledge management (KM) for nuclear research and development (NR&D) organizations, and present effective KM activities in NR&D in their countries. The key objective of this technical meeting was to develop a guidance document for stakeholders in NR&D in Member States, since the IAEA has been requested to provide practical guidance specific to the sector.
drafting the guidance document
Knowledge management in nuclear research and development has some distinctive features, and they will be addressed in this guidance publication. "The product of nuclear R&D is, generally speaking, 'knowledge', and it addresses key demands and societal responsibilities" says Ms. Marie-Laure Ruyssen, who heads the IAEA's Knowledge Management Group and served as Scientific Secretary of the technical meeting. "There is a need to preserve this knowledge, and since its creation was publicly funded, public money should not be invested again to recreate such knowledge. That is why managing nuclear knowledge is so important" Ms. Ruyssen adds. Governments are often the major stakeholders in this area.
The experts emphasized that executives should take responsibility for initiating knowledge management. Senior management should be aware that there are risks, benefits and obligations involved, and that there are consequences if knowledge is not managed effectively. Also, there should be a strategic alignment between an organization's overall strategy and the objectives of knowledge management. Thus the publication will also discuss practical methods of how to develop and implement a knowledge management strategy in the NR&D sector."The three elements in an implementation methodology are people, processes and tools", Ms. Ruyssen stresses.
The new guidance document is intended for senior managers and executives in research and development organizations in the nuclear sector who are responsible for developing and maintaining nuclear knowledge and competencies of the workers in their organizations. It will be published in mid-2008.
in Nuclear Research and Development Organizations,
IAEA, 19–23 November 2007
Contact: Ms. Marie-Laure Ruyssen, Leader, Knowledge Maintenance Group, INIS and Nuclear Knowledge Management Section