Knowledge asset

A knowledge asset refers to an organisation's intellectual resources. It can be in the form of information, ideas, understanding, learning, memory, patents, policies, databases, software, or various types of skills, expertise, and capabilities of an organisation's workforce.

The UK government in their knowledge asset management (KAM) guidance document the Rose Book, define 5 categories of knowledge assets; information assets, innovation assets, creative assets, reputational assets and know-how.

[edit] Information knowledge assets

Types of information knowledge assets that might be included generally cover data and other information. The relevant Intellectual Property (IP) rights and other methods of protection may include; database rights; copyrights; Crown copyright; non-disclosure agreements (NDAs); contracts; trade secrets.

[edit] Innovation knowledge assets

Types of Innovation knowledge assets can include, inventions and designs. These are usually protected via Intellectual Property (IP) rights and other methods of protection such as patents; designs or plant varieties.

[edit] Creative knowledge assets

Types of creative knowledge assets might include texts, videos, graphics, software and source codes. The relevant Intellectual Property (IP) rights and other methods of protection may include copyright, performers’ rights, and designs or Crown copyright.

[edit] Reputational knowledge assets

Types of reputational knowledge assets might include; Brands and services. The relevant Intellectual Property (IP) rights and other methods of protection may include trade marks and other badges of origin or goodwill.

[edit] Know-how

Know-how as a knowledge assets might include expertise such as project management, process efficiency and ways of working. Know-how could be associated with any or all of the IP rights, but is not usually protectable in itself, other than by trade secrecy and keeping confidentiality.

For further guidance on knowledge asset management refer to the UK government published Rose Book, for further information regarding knowledge asset classes and types visit refer to the Rose Book Annex A.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Asset management.
• BIM glossary of terms.
• BIM resources.
• BS ISO 55000:2014 Asset management. Overview, principles and terminology.
• Building information modelling.
• Built asset.
• Concept-knowledge theory.
• Constructed asset.
• Construction knowledge sources.
• Construction knowledge survey.
• Construction knowledge.
• Data.
• Enterprise asset management.
• Fixed asset.
• Indigenous knowledge.
• Knowledge.
• Knowledge based economy.
• Knowledge classification.
• Knowledge gap.
• Knowledge management in construction.
• Knowledge pyramid.
• Knowledge standard.
• Knowledge task group.
• Local knowledge.
• PAS 1192-2.
• PAS 1192-3.
• Real estate.
• Specification for Discoverable Construction Knowledge.
• Stranded assets.
• Tangible v intangible assets.
• Traditional knowledge.
• Types of construction knowledge.