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Knowledge Management at NASA

Knowledge management is getting the right information to the right people at the right time, and helping people create knowledge and share and act upon information in ways that will measurably improve the performance of an organization and its partners.

Why is Knowledge Management critical to NASA?
  • The Agency is constantly challenged to document and integrate its lessons to effectively manage the risk involved in space exploration and human space flight.
  • By its nature, NASA's employees have specialized knowledge.
  • Our goal is to share knowledge with each other and with the public.
  • To ensure safe flight and respond to issues raised by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB).
  • The workforce in the Agency is aging, and it is essential that critical knowledge be captured and retained for future reuse.
+ An Overview of KM at NASA (PDF)
+ What is KM?

MAKE AwardThe 2008 North America Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises (MAKE) panel has awarded NASA 1st place recognition for its knowledge-based products, services, and solutions, and 1st place in the organizational learning category. This is the third year in a row that NASA has been recognized as a North America MAKE Finalist and Winner.

+ View 2008 North America MAKE Study Executive Summary

Activities in Knowledge Management
  • 2009 Personal Democracy Forum
    Jeanne Holm, Chief Knowledge Architect at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, spoke on the topic "Helping Every Citizen Become a Rocket Scientist" at the 2009 Personal Democracy Forum, held June 29-30 in New York. The presentation covered how NASA is helping citizens share the excitement of space exploration and discovery, and collaborate through NASA mission Twitter feeds, blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Second Life, and other social media.
    + View Presentation (PDF)

  • 2008 NASA Knowledge Management Team Meeting and Workshop
    The 2008 Annual NASA Knowledge Management Team Meeting and Workshop will be held in Pasadena, CA, July 15-17, 2008.
    + Read More

  • Joint NASA-Ontolog- KMWG "Ontology in Knowledge Management and Decision Support (OKMDS)" Mini-series
    We take pleasure in inviting you to join us at the next two mini-series sessions.
    + Read More

  • The International Workshop on Managing Knowledge for Space Missions was held at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, July 17-19, 2007.
    + Read More

  • NASA's Enterprise Architecture Data Team Report Released
    An approach to managing data at NASA has been developed under the Enterprise Architecture task. NASA identified the need to develop a strategy that would help be more consistent about the use of, reliance on, and trust in data, and which would enable information sharing and reuse.
    NASA's Enterprise Architecture Data Team Report-August 2006

  • NASA has been selected as a best-practice partner in APQC's Retaining Today's Knowledge for Tomorrow's Workforce consortium benchmarking study. NASA is being invited to continue participating in the Retaining Today’s Knowledge for Tomorrow’s Workforce consortium benchmarking study.

  • NASA was one of the recipients of the Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises (MAKE) Executive Summaries this year. MAKE recognizes the best in KM throughout the world and this is one of the few, if only, times a government organization has received this award

  • + Past Announcements


    Knowledge Management and NASA Centers

    NASA Headquarters + NASA Headquarters
    NASA Headquarters, located in Washington, D.C., exercises management over the space flight centers, research centers, and other installations that constitute NASA.

    Ames Research Center (ARC) + Ames Research Center
    Ames Research Center specializes in research geared towards creating new knowledge and new technologies that span the spectrum of NASA interests.

    Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) + Dryden Flight Research Center
    As the lead for flight research, Dryden continues to innovate in aeronautics and space technology. The newest, fastest, the highest -- all have made their debut in the vast, clear desert skies over Dryden.

    Glenn Research Center (GRC) + Glenn Research Center
    Glenn Research Center develops and transfers critical technologies that address national priorities through research, technology development, and systems development for safe and reliable aeronautics, aerospace, and space applications.

    Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) + Goddard Space Flight Center
    The mission of the Goddard Space Flight Center is to expand knowledge on the Earth and its environment, the solar system, and the universe through observations from space.

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) + Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by the California Institue of Technology is NASA's lead center for robotic exploration of the Solar System.

    Johnson Space Center (JSC) + Johnson Space Center
    From the early Gemini, Apollo, and Sky Lab projects to today's Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs, Johnson Space Center continues to lead NASA's effort in Human Space Exploration.

    Kennedy Space Center (KSC) + Kennedy Space Center
    Kennedy Space Center is America's Gateway to the Universe -- leading the world in preparing and launching missions around the Earth and beyond.

    Langley Research Center (LaRC) + Langley Research Center
    Langley continues to forge new frontiers in aviation and space research for aerospace, atmospheric sciences, and technology commercialization to improve the way the world lives.

    Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) + Marshall Space Flight Center
    Bringing people to space; bringing space to people. Marshall Space Flight Center is world leader in the access to space and use of space for research and development to benefit humanity.

    Stennis Space Center (SSC) + Stennis Space Center
    Stennis is responsible for NASA's rocket propulsion testing and for partnering with industry to develop and implement remote sensing technology.






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NASA
NASA Official: Jeanne M Holm
Last Updated: July 1, 2009
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