Rapid knowledge work visualization for organizations

Purpose – The purpose of this contribution is to motivate a new, rapid approach to modeling knowledge work in organizational settings and to introduce a software tool that demonstrates the viability of the envisioned concept. Design/methodology/approach – Based on existing modeling structures, the KnowFlow toolset that aids knowledge analysts in rapidly conducting interviews and in conducting multi‐perspective analysis of organizational knowledge work is introduced. Findings – This article demonstrates how rapid knowledge work visualization can be conducted largely without human modelers by developing an interview structure that allows for self‐service interviews. Two application scenarios illustrate the pressing need for and the potentials of rapid knowledge work visualizations in organizational settings. Research limitations/implications – The efforts necessary for traditional modeling approaches in the area of knowledge management are often prohibitive. This contribution argues that future research needs to take economical constraints of organizational settings into account in order to be able to realize the full potential of knowledge work management. Practical implications – This work picks up a problem identified in practice and proposes the novel concept of rapid knowledge work visualization for making knowledge work modeling in organizations more feasible. Originality/value – This work develops a vision of rapid knowledge work visualization and introduces a tool‐supported approach that addresses some of the identified challenges.