PRESENTATION

Blessed N Chikwavarara
N02529513S
Nicole Ronney
NO2529356V
Mluleki Dube
N02528813W
Gerald Mpofu SIVUNGUZANI MAKHOSI CLARENCE
N02528823X
N02529358B
Munashe Mashavira
N0252971W
Ian M Ncube
N02534537A
 Objectives to be covered by :
#1 students should be able to know what
decision making.
#2 student should be able to define
knowledge management.
#3 students should know how knowledge
management can enhance decision making
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
•Data: raw facts that are used to produce information. These cannot be concluded to make
decisions.
•Information: These are intelligence facts derived from data that support decision-
making.
•Knowledge: It is a mix of framed experience, values, contextual information, expert
insight, and grounded intuition that provides an environment and framework for evaluating
and incorporating new experiences and information.
•Wisdom: This is integrated knowledge, which is highly useful information. It can also be
referred to as refined knowledge that goes over facts, e.g., ethics and the environment.
•Management: it is the process of coordinating and overseeing the activities of an
organization to achieve defined objectives. It involves the organization of resources,
including human, financial, and physical assets, to ensure that tasks are completed
efficiently and effectively.
 Presentation by USA
Knowledge Management (KM) is the process of collecting, organizing,
sharing, and using knowledge within an organization so that people
can work smarter and make better decisions.

Decision making is the process of choosing the best option from a

Access to the right information means having accurate, relevant, and up-to-date
knowledge available when it is needed to make decisions. In an organization, this
is very important because it allows managers and employees to make smart,
confident, and timely choices. When knowledge is well-managed through proper
storage, organization, and sharing people can easily find what they need without
wasting time or guessing. For example, a manager can quickly access sales
reports, customer feedback, or stock levels before making a decision, which
helps avoid mistakes and improves business performance. In this way, knowledge
management ensures that the right people get the right information at the right
time, leading to better and more effective decision-making.
 2. Faster Decisions
Faster decisions refer to the ability to make choices quickly without unnecessary delays, and
this is greatly supported by effective knowledge management. When information is well-
organized and easy to access, employees and managers spend less time searching for data or
waiting for others to share it. Knowledge management systems store important documents,
reports, and past experiences in one central place, making it simple for users to find what
they need. This speeds up the decision-making process, especially in urgent situations where
quick action is required. As a result, organizations can respond faster to problems, take
advantage of opportunities quickly, and stay competitive in a fast-changing environment.
Example :A sales manager at an electronics company quickly discovers a drop in smartphone
sales. By accessing past sales reports and customer feedback through a well-managed
knowledge system, they identify a new competitor with lower prices. With this information,
they quickly decide to launch a promotion and adjust pricing, helping the company stay
competitive.
 3. Encourages Innovation
Encouraging innovation means creating an environment where new ideas,
creative solutions, and improvements can grow and knowledge management
plays a key role in this. When knowledge is shared openly across different
departments and teams, employees can learn from each other’s experiences,
combine different ideas, and build on existing knowledge to create something
new. It also allows easy access to previous projects, customer feedback, and
expert insights, which can inspire fresh thinking. By making useful knowledge
available and promoting collaboration, knowledge management helps people
think outside the box, solve problems in new ways, and develop innovative
products, services, or processes that give the organization a competitive edge.
Example : A software developer accesses past project data through a
knowledge system and combines it with user feedback to create an innovative
app feature, setting the company apart from competitors
 4. Better Problem Solving
Better problem solving means finding effective and efficient solutions to
challenges, and knowledge management helps make this process easier and
faster. When an organization stores and shares knowledge properly, employees
can quickly access past solutions, expert advice, and useful data that can help
them understand and solve current problems. Instead of starting from scratch,
teams can learn from what has worked or failed before, saving time and
avoiding repeated mistakes. This shared knowledge leads to smarter choices,
teamwork, and more confident decision-making. In short, knowledge
management supports better problem solving by providing the right tools,
information, and experiences needed to tackle issues successfully. Example : A
customer service team faces a recurring issue with delayed deliveries. By
accessing a knowledge database, they find a similar problem was solved by
adjusting logistics processes in another branch. They apply the same solution,
 Insight

The process of knowledge management brings about insight as knowledge is collected, assessed
and decisions are made. Insight is the understanding of a particular situation or circumstance which
allows us to see things more clearer leading to the making of more accurate and well informed
decisions. In today’s world where there is a great deal of choices, good decision making skills are of
much importance as organizations seek to improve employee work performance and personal
growth.
Insight is gain by taking these basic 4 steps:
1. Seeking the information
2. Analyzing it
3. Evaluating it
4. Learning from experience
Seeking the information:
Gaining information through research is going to bring in a large knowledge base which will help in
understanding the key factors that influence the adoption of the decision.
Analyzing the information:
This is the breaking down of complex information into smaller and more understandable
components which are systematically reviewed to find connections and patterns. This helps identify
the strengths and limitations of each option and gives a clearer picture of the best course of action.
 Evaluating information:
Once the information is analyzed each option must be evaluated. The pros and cons must be considered
and the benefits and the risks must be weighed to choose the option that impacts your goals while
considering the risks and consequences and whether there is need for change and if this change is the best
for the maximization production.
Learning from experience:
The more something is done and implemented whether in one’s personal life or work experience the more
one relates and understands the situations around the circumstances therefore bringing about more
awareness. This enhances insight bring about better decision making skills. Evaluating past decisions
reflecting on what went wrong or well as well as identifying areas of improvement, are all executed using
well informed decisions.
Acquiring data from different perspectives

According to Martin Lorentzon, co-founder of Spotify “The value of your company is equal to the sum of
the problems you are able to solve.” If the decision making process is democratic, where the perspectives
of others come into play, that is stakeholders including employees. There will be more, well informed and
accurate decision made. Participants are likely to be motivated as the additional information from them
brings about better changes. This will lead to creativity and innovation leading again to more innovative
decisions.
Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

KM also fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas among team members. When knowledge is shared across departments, it encourages
diverse perspectives and
insights, which can lead to more innovative solutions. As highlighted by Davenport and Prusak (1998), "knowledge is the most important
resource in the organization," and
companies that utilize knowledge management strategies often experience improved decision-making speed and quality, as collaboration
allows for a more comprehensive
understanding of issues at hand. This collaborative environment is essential for organizations aiming to remain competitive in today's fast-paced
market.

Evidence-Driven Decisions

Knowledge management also supports evidence-driven decision making by providing comprehensive and accurate information. In industries
such as healthcare, where
decisions can have life-or-death consequences, the ability to access the latest research and clinical guidelines is paramount. Alavi and Leidner
(2001) found that organizations
with effective KM practices are better equipped to avoid costly mistakes and seize growth opportunities. They state, "Knowledge management
can enhance organizational
performance by facilitating the flow of information and enabling better decision making."For example, hospitals that utilize KM systems can
quickly access patient histories,
treatment protocols, and research findings, allowing healthcare professionals to make informed decisions that improve patient outcomes. This
evidence-based approach not
only enhances the quality of care but also increases operational efficiency.
 Future Preparedness

Moreover, effective knowledge management not only addresses current challenges but also prepares organizations for future
developments. By maintaining a repository of
knowledge that includes trends, forecasts, and strategic insights, organizations can make proactive decisions that align with
long-term goals. This forward-thinking approach
is vital for sustainability and growth in any sector. As noted by Zack (1999), "the ability to leverage knowledge effectively can
provide a competitive advantage," underscoring
the importance of KM in strategic decision making.In conclusion, knowledge management significantly enhances decision-
making quality in organizations by improving access
to information, enabling evidence-driven choices, fostering collaboration, and preparing for future challenges. As
organizations continue to navigate complex environments,
the importance of effective knowledge management will only grow, underscoring its role as a foundational element of
successful decision-making processes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowledge management significantly enhances decision-making quality in organizations by improving access
to information, enabling evidence-driven choices,
fostering collaboration, and preparing for future challenges. As organizations continue to navigate complex environments,
the importance of effective knowledge
management will only grow, underscoring its role as a foundational element of successful decision-making processes. By
investing in KM practices, organizations can not only
improve their decision-making capabilities but also drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in their respective
industries.
 09 APRIL 2025

List of References
Deepseek and Kimi AI https://search.app/?
link=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Faspireatlas%2Ecom%2Fhow%2
Ddoes%2Dknowledge%2Dmanagement%2Denhance
Today's Agenda

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Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They ampaign=57165%2Dor%2Digacx%2Dweb%2Dshrbtn
%2Diga%2Dsharing&utm_source=igadl%2Cigatpdl%
Know. Harvard Business Press. 2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F5 t

The New Science of Management Decision. Prentice-Hall.

Knubbs
Knowledge at Wharton
QUESTION TIME