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Knowledge-Worker Productivity

Knowledge-worker productivity requires that the knowledge worker be both seen and treated as an asset rather than a cost.

Work on the productivity of the knowledge worker has barely begun. But we already know a good many of the answers. We also know the challenges to which we do not yet know the answers.

Six major factors determine knowledge-worker productivity.

  1. Knowledge-worker productivity demands that we ask the question: “What is the task?”
  2. It demands that we impose the responsibility for their productivity on the individual knowledge workers themselves. Knowledge workers have to manage themselves. They have to have autonomy.
  3. Continuing innovation has to be part of the work, the task, and the responsibility of knowledge workers.
  4. Knowledge work requires continuous learning on the part of the knowledge worker, but equally continuous teaching on the part of the knowledge worker.
  5. Productivity of the knowledge worker is not—at least not primarily—a matter of the quantity of output. Quality is at least as important.
  6. Finally, knowledge-worker productivity requires that the knowledge worker be both seen and treated as an “asset” rather than a “cost.” It requires that knowledge workers want to work for the organization in preference to all other opportunities.

ACTION POINT: Apply steps one through five to your knowledge work.

Management Challenges for the 21st Century

* Source: The Daily Drucker by Peter F. Drucker

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