TY - JOUR T1 - Leveraging the Power of Knowledge Management to Transform Global Health and Development JF - Global Health: Science and Practice JO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT SP - 150 LP - 162 DO - 10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00228 VL - 3 IS - 2 AU - Tara M Sullivan AU - Rupali J Limaye AU - Vanessa Mitchell AU - Margaret D’Adamo AU - Zachary Baquet Y1 - 2015/06/01 UR - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/3/2/150.abstract N2 - Good knowledge is essential to prevent disease and improve health. Knowledge management (KM) provides a systematic process and tools to promote access to and use of knowledge among health and development practitioners to improve health and development outcomes. KM tools range from publications and resources (briefs, articles, job aids) and products and services (websites, eLearning courses, mobile applications), to training and events (workshops, webinars, meetings) and approaches and techniques (peer assists, coaching, after-action reviews, knowledge cafés).By its very nature, global health and development work involves a multitude of actors working toward common goals that transcend geographic, sectoral, organizational, and financial boundaries. These efforts require immediate access to the latest research and know-how and demand optimal use of limited resources to achieve maximum impact.1 Knowledge management (KM) can improve coordination, enhance learning and knowledge application, and improve capacity, thus heightening service quality, strengthening health systems, and, ultimately, improving health and development outcomes.The purpose of this article is to demystify KM and advocate its increased use in global health and development projects. We first describe knowledge, define KM, and highlight some KM tools. Then we trace the history of KM as used in the private sector and in health and development. Finally, we illustrate through a case study from Bangladesh how KM can be used to support health and development outcomes.Knowledge is the capacity to act effectively.2 Few would argue this is essential in our fight to prevent disease and improve health. Knowledge, or know-how, draws from our experience and allows us to solve problems using a combination of information and contextual understanding.4There are a variety of KM definitions in use. What is common to most definitions is that KM is a systematic or intentional process that is linked to a broader set of organizational … ER -