A Different View to Knowledge and Personal Knowledge Management System

Many times it is stated that nowadays we live in the information age. Knowledge has been recognized as the most important asset both for organizations and for individual knowledge workers. Thus knowledge and knowledge management is an actively researched area. So far a lot of attention has been geared towards knowledge, which we know and which we know that we do not know. However there still remains such unknown knowledge about which we do not know that we know, and such knowledge about which we do not know that we do not know. This paper proposes a new notion of knowledge substance, which encompasses the whole expanse of knowledge around people and around the whole environment they live in. Also it introduces a knowledge utility quotient, which in particular cases displays the ratio of available knowledge and all the required knowledge to perform a particular task. Knowledge workers represent increasingly high number of different professions. Along with that individual knowledge and personal knowledge management receive more attention among professionals and among researchers as well. This paper proposes a personal trinity model approach for developing a personal knowledge management system. It is proposed that such system includes both social and partially technological aspects of personal knowledge management. In addition also a psychological aspect of personal knowledge management is partially encompassed in this approach. Several knowledge acquisition principles are suggested by taking into account a knowledge substance notion and personal trinity model approach. Paper views personal trinity model approach from individual's necessities aspect and gives a set of characteristics a knowledge worker should strive for. The next step of this research is seen to combine personal trinity model approach with personal knowledge management system strictly technical approach. Possible future opportunities for personal knowledge management are explored and potential benefiting parties are identified.