PurposeThis paper aims to present a systematic approach for knowledge auditing which is composed of a number of stages with the focus on the establishment of an overall framework and customized tools for knowledge auditing.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic approach for knowledge auditing is composed of eight phases: orientation and background study, cultural assessment, in‐depth investigation, building knowledge inventory and knowledge mapping, knowledge network analysis and social network analysis, recommendation of knowledge management strategy, deploying KM tools and building collaborative culture, and continuous knowledge re‐auditing, respectively.FindingsA systematic approach for knowledge auditing is proposed and trial successfully implemented in a railway company. The results show that the systematic knowledge auditing approach yields a number of benefits that include the identification of the critical knowledge and the subsequent recommendations can be derived for better managing the knowledge in the railway company.Practical implicationsMany KM programs failed because the companies themselves lacked the knowledge on KM and their knowledge organization. The practical implementation of the systematic approach for knowledge auditing allows an organization to reveal its KM needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and risks. Hence, appropriate KM strategy can be derived for better managing its knowledge.Originality/valueThe proposed systematic approach for knowledge auditing addresses the shortcomings of some existing knowledge audit approaches which generally lack a systematic approach and have limited practical value for real‐life implementation. The capability of the proposed systematic approach is demonstrated through a successful implementation in a railway company.

Managing knowledge of plant maintenance in a power utility company is vital to the provision of a safe and reliable electricity supply to two million domestic and commercial customers. The business is built on a lot of expertise, techniques and experience of all of its employees from engineering, maintenance, safety and environmental control, to quality assurance. Knowledge auditing is usually carried out as the first critical step in the implementation of any Knowledge Management programmes in power utility companies. Although various knowledge auditing approaches have been proposed by some researchers and practitioners, there is a lack of a systematic approach in the way it is conducted, and the audit practice varies with different industries and companies. This paper presents a systematic knowledge audit approach, which has been successfully trial-implemented in a power plant.

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