4 Steps To Implement A Knowledge Base Management System

A knowledge base management system falls into the category of IT software. The system, in essence, contains software that is designed in a particular way to manage the knowledge a company has. Simply put, a knowledge base management software helps an organization create, curate, and distribute organizational information effectively on all customer touchpoints.  

A knowledge management system is a crucial part of the working of organizations today as it helps with external objectives and helps you improve from within your organization. The majority of companies would definitely prefer to use one now because of various benefits, which we will discuss as you read on.

2 Types of knowledge base management systems

A knowledge base management system streamlines organizational operations on digital and assisted channels. Let us look at a few functions of the knowledge base software internally and externally.

1. Internal knowledge base 

An internal knowledge base is content available for viewing within the organization and not available to the public. All internal processes and knowledge required regarding that can be viewed.

This comes with a catch, though, that data silos are created in a good way so as to not put unnecessary information into those hands where it is neither useful nor create any new improvement. So information flow is transparent, but access is given only to those who require it.

As an organization might have to use several tools for centralized knowledge repositories, a knowledge base management system helps you manage all these under one platform by easily integrating with existing tools or with the migration of the information with no changes.

An example of an internal knowledge base could be articles for solving customer queries. An agent working for the organization can access the support script while solving a query.

2. External knowledge base

The external knowledge base is the publicly available content on digital properties for customers to view. This provides self-service capabilities & customers can solve their own problems at their convenience.  

The main idea of an external or customer-facing knowledge base is that it is easily accessible and easy to use. The ease of application and use will make it rank better in helping people who open any content get what they want to know.

The external knowledge base also helps reach out to people by segregating different issues under segments to avoid information burying. This, in turn, creates visibility and leads to an information source’s greater reach.

An example of an external source knowledge base management system could be FAQs. A customer looking for some information goes to your website and gets the solution on the FAQ page, which means you have avoided a call with an agent and solved the query.

3 Benefits of a knowledge base management system

A knowledge base management system provides multiple benefits for all faces related to your organization. It does not work linearly but like an interlinked web. This means that this particular software system thinks of all essentials of your business, not just your growth but the growth and experience of everyone connected to this source.

We can look at a few benefits of this system in the following areas:

1. For your customers

Customers are king what many organizations believe in. And it is right to do so because everything in the organization is done from the point of view of a customer.

Every work entailed is for the customer to benefit from. So customer experience (CX) is one of the main things everyone looks for, and it is exactly what a knowledge base management software aims to provide in various ways.

A knowledge base management software makes it easy for one to put out information for customers to access. Ease of access means customers call your call centers less. Fewer calls don’t necessarily mean there is no improvement in the product.

Still, it could mean a sign of improvement if you have an existing knowledge source that regulates content externally.

2. For your support agents

Agents drive your business to take it to the level you have envisioned. An agent’s goals at some point are aligned with organizational goals. So an introduction of a knowledge base software system means making the agent’s life easier to access information on one platform.

An agent benefits from the knowledge base software by accessing information with a click.

The action above is possible only because the integration of tools makes it easier for agents to find the right solutions for a customer asking a query.

Not only this, but they can also reduce the time they look for a single answer because all knowledge bases are integrated into one platform, making any information available and decreasing their AHT.

3. For your business

A business’s primary goal is to run smoothly. But to just say something needs to run smoothly isn’t done. Something has to be placed in the working system of an organization to help the business flow as imagined. This is where a knowledge base management system comes in. It is one of those essentials to run a business smoothly.

Integrations on external and internal frontiers, data flow, and collaboration of remote and physical teams are made incredibly easy with a knowledge base management system. It helps with consistent growth and hassle-free information sharing across various departments in the organization, making workflow as smooth as possible with time flow.

4 Easy steps to implement a knowledge base management system

There are various steps to follow according to business-specific goals. The following are a few steps that can help a business, in general, to follow to make sure the system helps you reach maximum potential.

1. Know your people

A knowledge base management system is the people who use it. So the best way to choose functions is to look at how information sharing is currently happening in the organization. Then look at what changes you want to make and how knowledge management tools can help achieve the goal.

2. Don’t be afraid to accept new technologies

Absolutely no business starts from scratch without minimum software technologies in the 21st century. Technology enables the automation of several processes. So take a look at your existing technologies. And what tools of AI knowledge base can help most automation.

3. The structure of your knowledge

Looking at the larger structure is essential, but smaller structures, too, should be studied in terms of how knowledge is being managed and shared within the smaller and larger teams. A knowledge base tool that will enable creating and sharing of information should be determined from this and mold the knowledge base access.

4. Knowledge-sharing culture

A knowledge base you will implement not only decides workflows in the present or near future but also determines how the culture of knowledge sharing will happen in the organization. It is best to opt for tools that help you provide maximum transparency with long-term goals in mind.

Conclusion

After looking at what a knowledge base does externally and internally, its benefits, and how to choose one, we hope you have found the answers to the process of choosing knowledge management.

Once again a knowledge base management system is the most efficient way to grow in all directions, department-wise and organization-wise, while incorporating the interests of various role players in taking the business forward.