Integrating Knowledge Management with the Systems Analysis Process

IntroductIon Information systems research has clearly recognized that knowledge management systems (KMSs) have different characteristics and requirements than those of a classic management information system (MIS). Beginning with the relationship drawn between data, information, there are many elements and areas in which the two diverge. However although the definition, description, and implementation of a KMS has been recognized as sufficiently distinct from an MIS is no single clear approach to develop a systems analysis and development process that is tailored While the first generation of KMS has been developed as add-on or parallel systems living alongside pre-existing structured management information systems, the next generation of systems development needs to deal with fusion systems. A fusion system (Gray et al., 1997) is a system that integrates structured and unstruc-tured knowledge in real time, allowing for full situational assessment based on both information and knowledge resources. MIS has a long and illustrious history of research and development focusing on creating and refining the systems analysis process. KMS has no such legacy other than what it has inherited directly from MIS. The purpose of this article is to articulate the unique systems analy-622 Integrating Knowledge Management with the Systems Analysis Process sis and development issues presented by KMS in organizations, explain why tight integration between MIS and KMS development processes is desirable, and illustrate how such integration can be achieved through a modified Knowledge Integrated Systems Analysis (KISA) process for knowledge management. The KISA process evolved from a series of action research cycles conducted over an information system development project within the Information Systems Development Department and the Chief Information Office of the Israeli Navy. Beginning with a classic IS development approach, each development cycle added new modifications to the process, until a fully integrated process was reached and then applied, without modification, to new integrated KMS-MIS development. The result is a process that is tailored to the needs of fusion systems. The result is an integrated (knowledge and process) system to support the Navy mission lifecycle.