The Changing Roles of Content Deployment Functions: Knowledge Managers and Training Professionals

This Briefing, part of our annual series on important content deployment functions, analyzes the converging Knowledge Manager (KM) and Training functions with fresh quantitative data. These functions share the goal of equipping users with the knowledge to get their jobs done, but their approaches are very different. This research identified a gap separating the ideal of a blended KM/learning organization and the reality of how these functions work. Both functions have reached the bottom of the economic downturn and are holding steady for 2004. KM professionals in particular have made tremendous gains in market share, moving from 16 percent market penetration within their organizations in 2002 to a whopping 49 percent in 2003. Other key trends include: the KM function is gaining a strategic foothold and building momentum; both functions have stabilized but aren't expected to grow in 2004; KM has benefited by becoming more tactical; and training functions face a troubled future. The Briefing includes study data on users served, spending levels, budgets and staffing, and management and marketing practices. For commercial content vendors, the Briefing analyzes the implications of the progress of KM for content sales. For content deployment professionals, it urges continuing partnering between KM and training functions in order to reach specific functions with strategic offerings.