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Knowledge mapping

Knowledge mapping visually depicts knowledge assets, pathways, and flows by identifying key actors and relationships. It highlights gaps for targeted actions, and when paired with a social network analysis, it reveals relationships within and between networks, including key players, knowledge flows and constraints.

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Basics

In a nutshell

Knowledge maps are built on the concept of sociograms, which focus on identifying the relationships between members within a network and between networks. They allow for the visualisation of actors and groups in a specific area, making it easier to identify key individuals who act as ‘bridges’ and are crucial for fostering knowledge flows. Furthermore, knowledge mapping is useful when analysing, for instance, agricultural knowledge networks, where social ties are vital for sharing agricultural knowledge, leading to more efficient and sustainable practices. This tool is essential for understanding the flow of information, knowledge and innovation. When combined with social network analysis, knowledge mapping provides a more detailed assessment of knowledge flows.

Knowledge mapping is an effective tool for capturing, organising and visualising knowledge within an organisation, community or ecosystem of various organisations. It highlights where knowledge is located, how it flows and where there are gaps or opportunities for improvement. This makes knowledge maps especially useful for understanding the complex dynamics of knowledge exchange within various settings, such as Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).

The key objective of knowledge mapping in project or programme evaluation is to identify and analyse if the right knowledge reaches the right people at the right time (relevance and coherence). This method enhances the efficiency, effectiveness and overall success of projects and programmes by visualising knowledge resources, identifying gaps and understanding the flows of knowledge within a project or programme. It helps to identify areas for optimising knowledge use and supports continuous learning and adaptation, fostering a culture of innovation.

Key features of knowledge maps are:

  • Provision of a visual layout of knowledge assets, showing the connections and pathways through which information flows. This visualisation helps in identifying key actors, knowledge hubs and the relationships between different knowledge areas.
  • Identification of key knowledge areas of expertise, important resources and the primary sources of knowledge. This is beneficial for leveraging existing knowledge and identifying areas that need further development or improvement.
  • Understanding knowledge flows within an organisation, community or network of various actors. This includes the identification of knowledge brokers or ‘bridges’ (individuals or groups) that facilitate the flow of information between different parts of the network.
  • Detecting gaps where knowledge is missing or insufficient. These gaps can then be addressed through targeted actions and knowledge management strategies.
  • Supporting more informed decision-making processes by providing a clear overview of the knowledge landscape. They reveal where improvements can be made, where resources should be allocated and how to better support innovation and development.

Pros and cons

Advantages Disadvantages
  • Provides a clear visual representation of knowledge assets and their interconnections, making it easier to identify key areas and gaps.
  • Supports informed decision-making by providing a comprehensive overview of the knowledge landscape.
  • Highlights the key individuals or groups that act as knowledge brokers, helping to strengthen these connections.
  • By identifying and addressing knowledge gaps, it ensures that resources are used effectively, reducing redundancies and improving project outcomes.
  • The process can be complex, particularly in large systems with diverse knowledge areas like AKIS
  • Without careful management, knowledge maps can become cluttered with too much information, making them difficult to use effectively
  • Creating and maintaining a knowledge map can be time-consuming and could require significant resources
  • The process may involve subjective judgments, particularly in interpreting qualitative evidence and constructing the contribution story.
  • Effective knowledge mapping requires skilled facilitators who can guide the process and ensure meaningful participation.

When to use ?

In the context of the CAP Strategic Plan evaluation, knowledge mapping is valuable for assessing interventions where understanding knowledge flows and identifying key knowledge assets is critical. These interventions support building and maintaining networks, focusing on knowledge building and exchanges among different stakeholder groups, information exchange and capacity development. This approach is effective for monitoring and evaluating complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders and dynamic environments, such as Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and LEADER. Additionally, knowledge mapping is useful for evaluating networks and crucial for identifying bottlenecks and areas in need of improvement.

In the context of AKIS, knowledge mapping can be particularly valuable. Agricultural knowledge networks depend heavily on social ties and the effective exchange of information. Knowledge maps allow for the visualisation and analysis of these networks, contributing to more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Knowledge maps are particularly useful in the ‘observing’ phase of an evaluation. They can be applied in a participatory manner to help actors identify, visualise, observe and assess the evolution of the positioning of various AKIS actors and infrastructures. This includes analysing centrality, the number and strength of ties, and proximity, as well as understanding the types of linkages and environmental connections.

When combined with a social network analysis, for instance, knowledge mapping helps detect the roles of brokers within networks and investigates farmers’ advice networks within AKIS. 

In the absence of baseline data and indicators regarding the interconnection of advisors within AKIS, social network analyses and knowledge maps can address such a gap. Knowledge maps assist in analysing various AKIS elements, including: design elements of the AKIS strategic approach; implementation arrangements; knowledge flows and strengthening of links between research and practice; strengthening farm advice and fostering collaboration among all advisors within AKIS; interactive innovation projects and innovation support services; digitalisation and the effective use of ICT to improve knowledge flow.

Preconditions

  • Having clear objectives for what the knowledge mapping aims to achieve. This includes defining the goals of capturing, organising and visualising knowledge to support a project or programme's success.
  • Strong commitments from all stakeholders, including management, team members and external partners to engage in the knowledge mapping process and use its outputs effectively.
  • Availability of skilled facilitators who can guide the knowledge mapping process, ensure meaningful participation and manage the collection and analysis of data.
  • Sufficient time, financial resources and technological tools (e.g. knowledge map software and databases) to support the creation and maintenance of the knowledge map.
  • Use of structured questionnaires, templates and specific knowledge mapping tools to systematically capture and visualise knowledge assets, flows and gaps.

Step-by-step

Step-by-step process of applying the method in practice:

Step 1 – Identify key knowledge areas

Begin by identifying the essential areas of knowledge required for the project's success. This includes specific skills, information or expertise relevant to the agricultural and other related sectors. Identifying these key knowledge areas is crucial for the successful execution of the project or programme.

Step 2 – Create a knowledge map

Once the key knowledge areas are identified, develop a visual representation of them. This knowledge map should clearly show the relationships between different knowledge domains and how they contribute to the overall goals of the project or programme. This can be a simple diagram or a more complex graphical representation, depending on the complexity of the knowledge areas and relationships involved.

Step 3 – Identify knowledge sources

For each knowledge area, identify the sources of knowledge. These could include individuals, teams, organisations, documents, databases or other resources that contain necessary knowledge.

Step 4 – Identify knowledge gaps

Use the knowledge map to identify any knowledge gaps. This involves finding areas where knowledge is lacking or where there is a disconnect between knowledge sources and those who need that knowledge.

Step 5 – Develop a knowledge management strategy

Based on the knowledge map and identified gaps, develop a strategy for managing and sharing knowledge. This could include training programmes, mentoring, new documentation, improved communication channels or any other method that helps to fill the knowledge gaps and improve the flow of knowledge.

Step 6 – Monitor and update the knowledge map

Regularly review and update the knowledge map as the project progresses to track changes in knowledge needs and sources, ensuring continuous improvement in knowledge management.

Step 7 – Facilitate stakeholder engagement

Ensure active involvement of stakeholders in the knowledge mapping process to enhance their commitment and ownership.

Main takeaway points

  • Knowledge maps provide a visual layout of knowledge assets, showing the connections and pathways through which information flows. This visualisation helps in identifying key actors, knowledge hubs and the relationships between different knowledge areas.
  • Knowledge mapping highlights areas where knowledge is missing or insufficient, enabling these gaps to be addressed through targeted actions and strategies.
  • By providing a comprehensive overview of the knowledge landscape, knowledge maps support more informed decision-making processes, revealing where improvements could be made and resources allocated.
  • Knowledge mapping promotes efficient knowledge sharing among actors/stakeholders, ensuring valuable information is accessible to those who need it.
  • Knowledge maps facilitate continuous learning and adaptation by supporting the identification and leveraging of existing knowledge and fostering a culture of innovation and improvement.

Learning from experience

AgriHub and Finnish NRN SU (2022) Finnish AKIS network analysis. 

In Finland, the National Network applied knowledge mapping to analyse the AKIS network and uncover the range of collaboration within the network of agricultural actors. By visualising these relationships, the analysis identified crucial connections and gaps, allowing stakeholders to optimise knowledge flows and strengthen ties, ultimately fostering more sustainable and innovative agricultural practices. This method proved essential in highlighting areas for development and supporting continuous improvement in the national agricultural knowledge network. 

See the example.

Some examples of application of the knowledge maps in practice.

Further reading

Publication - Guidelines and tools |

Evaluation of National Rural Networks 2014-2020