Knowledge management innovation of the USCG counternarcotics deployment process.

Abstract

The major contribution this thesis provides is the application of a "break through" knowledge management system design methodology to a knowledge intensive military work process. Specifically, the methodology was used to develop a knowledge management system (KMS) for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACAREA TACLET). The focus was on applying knowledge management innovation using the above mentioned methodology to the Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) Counternarcotic (CN) deployment Process, which depends on the combined experience and expertise of all members of the detachment in order for the process to be completed successfully. This thesis provides evidence that this methodology, which was developed by Nissen, Sengupta, and Kamel, is robust enough to be used in civilian knowledge work processes, as well as military environments. - The knowledge management system design process used acknowledges that the knowledge transfer required for the primary process to succeed is dependent upon other processes that do not directly relate to it. These processes are referred to as vertical-flow processes. Knowledge management innovation of the CN Deployment process is focused on the vertical-flow processes because the knowledge required for a LEDET to meet the horizontal process goal is dependent on the efficiency of the identified vertical-flow processes First, an analysis of the horizontal process is conducted. Next, a knowledge analysis is performed, resulting in identifying the horizontal process goal and critical success factors. The CSFs are then used to determine the knowledge required for each node in the horizontal process. Third, this leads to the identification of the vertical-flow processes. Lastly, a context analysis is conducted iteratively with the knowledge analysis to determine what knowledge is required given a certain situation.