Intranet Management Knowledge bases vs. knowledge sharing platforms: What’s the difference? Discover the differences between knowledge bases and knowledge sharing platforms and how they drive organizational success. Explore their key features, use cases, and benefits to optimize knowledge management in your business. Choose the right solution with insights from this comprehensive guide. 5 minute read Table of contents You might also like… Whitepaper Intranet use cases Whitepaper Award-winning intranets Knowledge bases, knowledge sharing platforms, knowledge management… are these all the same thing? Why are there so many different terms? And most importantly, do you really need one? What is a knowledge base? A knowledge base is a centralized repository of information that stores structured data, documents, articles, FAQs, tutorials, and other resources. It acts as a reservoir of knowledge, accessible to employees, customers, or any stakeholders seeking answers to common queries or solutions to specific problems. What is a knowledge sharing platform? Unlike a knowledge base, a knowledge sharing platform is dynamic, emphasizing collaboration among users. It fosters a culture of sharing insights, experiences, and expertise across the organization. These platforms facilitate real-time interaction, enabling employees to contribute their unique perspectives, learn from others, and preserve valuable tacit knowledge. They transform knowledge into a living entity, driving collaboration, innovation, and organizational growth. Key features of a knowledge base Structured content: Knowledge bases organize information into categories and subcategories, making it easy to navigate and locate relevant content. Search functionality: Users can quickly search for specific topics or keywords, retrieving relevant articles or documents. Version control: Ensures that the information is up-to-date, with the ability to track changes and revisions. Self-service support: Empowers users to find solutions independently, reducing the need for direct assistance and improving efficiency. Analytics and insights: Provides metrics on usage patterns, popular search queries, and content effectiveness, enabling organizations to optimize their knowledge resources. Examples of use cases for a knowledge base Employee onboarding: New hires can access training materials, policies, and guidelines to facilitate their integration into the organization. Customer support: Customers can find answers to frequently asked questions and troubleshoot common issues without needing to contact support agents. Internal documentation: Teams can document processes, best practices, and project updates for reference and knowledge sharing within the organization. Key features of a knowledge sharing platform Social collaboration tools: Enables users to share knowledge, ask questions, and engage in discussions through forums, chat, or community boards. User-generated content: Encourages contributions from employees, allowing them to share their expertise, lessons learned, and innovative ideas. Expert identification: Facilitates the identification and recognition of subject matter experts within the organization, making it easier to tap into specialized knowledge. Real-time communication: Supports instant messaging, video conferencing, and other communication channels for seamless knowledge exchange. Knowledge moderation: Ensures the quality and relevance of shared content through moderation and peer review mechanisms. Examples of use cases for a knowledge sharing platform Project collaboration: Teams can collaborate on projects, share resources, and discuss ideas in real-time, enhancing productivity and creativity. Communities of practice: Establishes communities focused on specific domains or interests, where members can share insights, best practices, and industry trends. Intranet Use Cases Guide Learn how to assess the various uses cases an intranet can provide for your organization. Download now Feature comparison chart on knowledge bases vs knowledge sharing platforms Feature/Use CaseKnowledge BaseKnowledge Sharing PlatformStructured Content✓ Organizes information into categories and subcategories for easy navigation.✗ Emphasizes dynamic collaboration over structured content.Search Functionality✓ Users can quickly search for specific topics or keywords.✓ Provides search functionality for finding relevant discussions and shared content.Version Control✓ Ensures information is up-to-date with tracked changes and revisions.✗ Focuses less on version control and more on real-time collaboration.Self-Service Support✓ Empowers users to find solutions independently.✗ Encourages users to engage with others for support and knowledge sharing.Analytics and Insights✓ Provides metrics on usage patterns and content effectiveness.✗ May offer insights on user engagement but focuses less on content metrics.Employee Onboarding✓ New hires can access training materials and policies.✓ Supports onboarding through access to shared knowledge and community discussions.Customer Support✓ Customers can find answers to FAQs and troubleshoot issues.✗ Offers customer support through community engagement and shared knowledge.Internal Documentation✓ Teams can document processes and project updates.✓ Facilitates documentation and collaboration on internal projects and initiatives.Social Collaboration✗ Emphasizes structured content over social interaction.✓ Encourages collaboration through forums, chat, and community boards.User-Generated Content✗ Primarily relies on curated content.✓ Allows users to contribute their expertise and insights.Expert Identification✗ Does not focus on identifying subject matter experts.✓ Helps in recognizing and tapping into specialized knowledge within the organization.Real-Time Communication✗ Communication features are limited.✓ Supports instant messaging, video conferencing, etc., for seamless knowledge exchange.Knowledge Moderation✗ Typically does not involve content moderation.✓ Ensures quality and relevance of shared content through moderation and peer review.Project Collaboration✗ Collaboration features are limited.✓ Facilitates real-time collaboration on projects and shared resources.Communities of Practice✗ Not designed for fostering communities of practice.✓ Establishes communities for sharing insights and best practices within specific domains.Innovation Management✗ May not provide dedicated features for innovation management.✓ Supports idea sharing and discussion to foster a culture of innovation. In conclusion, knowledge bases and knowledge sharing platforms both help us share information, but they do it in different ways. Knowledge bases are like libraries where you find specific answers, while sharing platforms are like group discussions where everyone can share and learn together.