Numeric Parameters
This page identifies and clarifies the numeric parameters which were used in this study.
Knowledge Parameters
Parameter values reflect the opinion of the experts interviewed regarding various aspects of the knowledge within the Knowledge Structure.
A detailed explanation of the meaning of each parameter used in this study is provided below.
Importance
Importance means how important a particular knowledge element on the map is, with reference to the main focus of the study or the top node. This could mean importance to the success or failure of the application of the knowledge area. It may be easier for some experts to provide opinion if the alternative term critical is used. This means how critical or essential (crucial) is the application of this particular piece of knowledge to the success or validity of the knowledge area being studied, the top node.
How important is this knowledge to the knowledge area being studied
0 = not important at all | 2 = very slightly important | 7 = rather important | 10 = absolutely critical
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) very important.
Recovery
In a typical business or organisational knowledge study, recovery means how difficult would the knowledge be to replace or recover if it were lost to the organisation. In some studies, such as the study of conceptual or personal knowledge rather than applied or business knowledge, this question may need to be answered on a more personal basis. For instance, If I suddenly lost the knowledge of how to make a cup of tea but retained other knowledge, how difficult would it be to get this knowledge back again or learn it again.
If the organisation lost this knowledge, how difficult would it be to recover it
0 = very easy to replace | 2 = mostly easy to replace | 7 = mostly very difficult to replace | 10 = impossible to replace
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) very difficult to replace.
Study-Exp
Study vs Experience relates to the way that an expert would typically acquire a particular piece of knowledge. Some knowledge being learned through study and other knowledge requiring experience and practice. The parameter reflects the balance between the two extremes of all study and all experience. In some cases, an alternative term tacit may be used. Some organisations use this term with reference to experience based rather than study based knowledge.
How would an expert typically acquire this knowledge, through study or experience
0 = always learned through study | 2 = mostly learned by study | 7 = generally learned from experience | 10 = can only be learned from experience
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) mostly learned from experience.
StaffAvailable
Staff available can be used to help a study inform investigations into knowledge gaps. In a typical business study, Staff available is discussed with reference to a pre-defined group of people. This group may be all of the people working in the knowledge area. Staff available is an estimation of the number of people from this reference group that are thought to know the specific piece of knowledge and are available to deliver it. The number of people represented by each division is about one and a half that represented by the previous division. The expert will slide the slider to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6 etc and the number of people represented will be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13 etc
How many knowledgeable people are available to effectively deliver this knowledge
0 = less than 1 person to deliver this knowledge | 2 = 2 people available to deliver this knowledge | 7 = 13 people available to deliver this knowledge | 10 = 42 people available to deliver this knowledge
Higher risk values are those approaching 0 whilst lower risk values are those approaching 10.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 2) 2 people available to deliver this knowledge.
StaffNeeded
The staff needed parameter is used as a way of allowing the estimation of knowledge requirement for the application of a specific knowledge item. The staff needed value estimates the number of knowledgeable people who must be available to deliver the knowledge item in order to provide an effective service. The number of people represented by each division of the slider is about one and a half that represented by the previous division. The expert will slide the slider to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc and the number of people represented will be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13 etc
How many knowledgeable people need to be available in order to effectively deliver this knowledge
0 = less than 1 person to deliver this knowledge | 2 = 2 people to deliver this knowledge | 7 = 13 people to deliver this knowledge | 10 = 42 people to deliver this knowledge
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) 19 people to deliver this knowledge.
Specialised
Much of the knowledge required within any knowledge area is quite general and is also used in other knowledge areas or the knowledge area itself may be very general. Alternatively, knowledge may be needed that is highly specialised and only used in very restricted circumstances or applications.
Is this knowledge required in specialised circumstances or is it more generally used
0 = very generally used knowledge | 2 = mostly generally used knowledge | 7 = mostly specialised knowledge | 10 = only ever used in one small knowledge area
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) specialised knowledge.
Stability
Technological growth is one thing that can make knowledge unstable. Knowing how to do something may regularly involve changes in tools and technique as new systems are introduced. This may be reflected, if restudied regularly, by a changing prerequisite structure for a knowledge element. The prerequisite structure itself being relatively short term knowledge yet the knowledge element in question may be a long term requirement.
How stable is this knowledge, does it change frequently with technology etc
0 = constantly changing knowledge | 2 = quite frequently changing knowledge | 7 = generally stable knowledge | 10 = completely stable knowledge
Higher risk values are those approaching 0 whilst lower risk values are those approaching 10.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 3) frequently changing knowledge.
LearnTime
In order to consider knowledge retention or knowledge re-provision, experts in the knowledge area have been asked to estimate the learning time required for a specific item of knowledge given that the learner already understands the prerequisite knowledge shown for that item on the Knowledge Structure Map. Estimates are therefore based on expert opinion and on a known state of competence in the learner. Such information can therefore be combined to give a reasonable estimate of learning time for a larger map structure or knowledge area consisting of several or many linked knowledge items.
If prerequisite knowledge is known, how long would it take a person to be competent in this knowledge.
0 = less than 1 day | 2 = 2 days | 7 = 6 months | 10 = 3 or more years
Higher risk values are those approaching 10 and lower risk values are those approaching 0.
Trigger point.
The high risk trigger point for this parameter is set at 8) 1 year.
