AFSO 21 is a recent Air Force initiative aimed at improving processes and eliminating waste from daily operations. This thesis provides, through industry benchmarking, techniques used by private companies to leverage process improvements through the effective use of best practices. Specifically, this thesis addresses four areas critical to effective knowledge management: finding ways to create knowledge repositories, improving knowledge access, enhancing cultural support for knowledge use, and managing knowledge as an asset. These four areas were addressed through case study comparisons of best practice programs at Boeing, General Motors, Raytheon and the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M). This study resulted in eight recommendations that, if implemented, could enhance best practice knowledge management within the Air Force.

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