Difference That Makes a Difference: Distinguishing Between Knowledge Management and Information Management in the U.S. Army

In today's interconnected society there has been a push for the use of technology to increase the speed of information blurring the distinction between knowledge and information. This monographs illustrates the issues with knowledge and the common misconceptions that the United States Army is experiencing with Knowledge Management as an emerging concept. Knowledge Management has been introduced into doctrine over the past five years; however the concepts are being confused and causing issues in understanding of what knowledge and information management encompass. The terminology for information and knowledge in doctrine is not consistent which causes the words to be used without precision. Additionally, the Army is trying to grapple with the changing hierarchical structure to one of a networked hierarchy, through modularity, further causing confusion. The importance of knowledge management is the human processes that facilitate the transfer of knowledge in the current and future cultures. Knowledge management is not a specific system or piece of technology, it is a human process.