Knowledge Management has changed dramatically over the past decade. Organizations that once viewed KM as a technology implementation now recognize it as a strategic discipline embedded in how work gets done. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we capture, organize, and leverage knowledge. Communities of Practice have evolved from niche initiatives to critical innovation engines. Yet fundamental challenges of culture, leadership support, measurement persist to this day.
To understand these shifts and their implications for your organization, we’re launching the Knoco 2026 Global Knowledge Management Survey, open from March 1st through April 30th, 2026.
Why This Survey Matters Now
For over a decade, Knoco has conducted a comprehensive global survey of Knowledge Management practice every three years. Since 2014, nearly 1,200 KM practitioners, consultants, and researchers have contributed their insights, creating a longitudinal dataset that reveals how KM is truly applied across sectors, geographies, and organizational sizes.
The 2026 survey continues this tradition, and it is more relevant than ever.
The landscape has shifted. In 2014, many organizations were still asking “What is Knowledge Management?” Today, they’re asking “How do we embed KM into our digital transformation?” The rise of AI, the shift to hybrid and remote work, and the acceleration of organizational change have all redefined what effective KM looks like.
The stakes are higher. Organizations that master knowledge management are outpacing competitors in innovation, operational efficiency, and talent retention. Those that struggle with KM or abandon it. Face repeated mistakes, slower decision-making, and knowledge loss during transitions. Understanding what works is no longer optional.
The data is invaluable. By comparing responses across 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, and now 2026, we can identify true trends versus temporary fluctuations. Which KM focus areas deliver the most value? How has AI adoption evolved? What barriers prove most stubborn? What enablers consistently drive success? These insights matter for your strategy.
What the Survey Covers
The 2026 survey is comprehensive and deliberately so. It includes 53 core questions plus 33 optional questions, organized into five main sections:
1. Time and Resources How organizations are investing in KM, team structure, skills, budget allocation, and reporting relationships. This reveals whether KM is treated as a strategic priority or a peripheral activity.
2. Scope, Focus Areas, and Value Delivery Why organizations started KM, what they are trying to achieve, which knowledge types matter most, and critically what tangible and intangible value KM has delivered to date. This is where we separate hype from reality.
3. KM Technology Which tools organizations use, how they are deployed, and what business value they generate. From enterprise search to AI-powered knowledge discovery, we map the technology landscape and its effectiveness.
4. KM Processes The structured approaches organizations use to capture, transfer, and apply knowledge. This can be in the form of After-Action Reviews to Communities of Practice to lessons learned systems. We assess which processes drive the most value.
5. Governance and Change How organizations embed KM into their culture, structure, and operations. This section explores the enablers and barriers that determine whether KM becomes “how we work” or remains a separate initiative.
The survey also includes optional deep-dives into:
- Best Practice management
- Lessons Learned systems
- Communities of Practice design and effectiveness
- Knowledge Retention from experts
- Artificial Intelligence in KM
Who Should Respond?
The survey is designed for three audiences:
KM Practitioners within organizations – If you lead, manage, or participate in a KM initiative, your perspective is invaluable. Answer based on your organization (or the part you know best).
KM Consultants – If you advise organizations on KM, describe a client you know well enough to answer in detail. Your external perspective adds critical context.
Researchers and Students – If you study KM, describe an organization you have worked with extensively. Academic insights strengthen the dataset.
Participation is free, voluntary, and confidential. Your organization name and email address are kept private and will not appear in the final report. We aggregate responses to identify patterns and trends, not to expose individual organizations.
What You Get in Return
Complete the survey, and you’ll receive:
- The 2026 Survey Report – Delivered in June 2026, featuring comparative analysis across all five surveys (2014–2026), highlighting trends, shifts, and emerging patterns in global KM practice.
- Previous Survey Reports – Access to reports from 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023, providing historical context and longitudinal perspective on how KM has evolved.
- Benchmarking Data – See how your organization’s KM maturity, focus areas, and value delivery compare to peers in your sector and size category.
- Actionable Insights – Use the data to validate your KM strategy, identify gaps, and make the case for investment or change.
The Time Commitment
We will not minimize this: the survey takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete. It is thorough because KM is complex, and surface-level data does not serve anyone.
But here’s the good news: you can pause and resume at any time. Start during a coffee or tea break, return when you have focus time. The survey remembers where you left off.
A 12-Year Journey
Since 2014, the Knoco surveys have tracked KM through significant shifts:
- The rise of digital transformation and cloud adoption
- The emergence of AI and machine learning as KM tools
- The shift from centralized KM teams to distributed, embedded KM roles
- Evolving definitions of “value” in KM. From cost savings to innovation to resilience
- Persistent cultural and organizational barriers that resist change
The 2026 survey will reveal what has changed in the past three years and what remains constant. It will show which organizations are thriving with KM and which are struggling. It will illuminate the path forward for your own KM journey.
How to Participate
This year we have the survey in English and in Spanish
English Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/knoco2026
Spanish Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/knoco2026?lang=es
Bahasa Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/knoco2026?lang=id
Survey Period: March 1 – April 30, 2026
Time Required: 45–60 minutes (can pause and resume)
Confidentiality: Your organization name and email are kept private; data is aggregated and anonymized in the final report.
A Word on Methodology
This survey is not a marketing exercise. It is a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of global KM practice. The questions are grounded in KM theory and practice, informed by over 25 years of Knoco’s consulting experience and the input of nearly 1,200 respondents across four previous surveys.
We ask no leading questions. We impose no definition of KM. You answer based on how your organization uses the term. We seek honest, nuanced responses, not validation of a predetermined narrative.
The result is data you can trust: longitudinal, comparative, and actionable.
What’s Next?
In early June 2026, we will publish the full survey report with findings, trends, and analysis. We will share key insights through webinars, articles, and our affiliate network. And we will make the data available to support your KM strategy and decision-making.
But first, we need your voice. Whether you are leading a mature KM program, launching your first initiative, or evaluating whether KM is right for your organization, your perspective matters.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s get started.