Glossary – K

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Kaizen

A Japanese term for continuous improvement.

Kanban technique

A method used to improve process flow by use of tags, status display boards, small designated material transfer spaces, designated containers, and similar mechanisms to give more visibility and control to the flow of material.

Kerning

In typography, manually adjusting the horizontal space between individual characters in a line of text. See also character spacing, word spacing.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Measurable indicators, chosen to reflect the critical success factors of a project, a program, a department, or an entire organization, which are used to report on progress.

Key process area (KPA)

Software engineering processes identified by the Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model where a project team should focus its efforts to achieve consistently high-quality software products.

Keynote (Apple)

Visual presentation software used to create graphical and text-based presentations that can include slides, animations, and voice-over recording.

Kickoff meeting

A meeting held to acquaint integrated project team members and stakeholders with the project and each other, and to provide an initial review of project scope and activities.

Kiosk

An electronic booth that displays information and services on a computer screen.

Knowledge

Skills and expertise acquired through education or experience. See also business knowledge, explicit knowledge, group knowledge, individual knowledge, informal knowledge, scientific knowledge, tacit knowledge.

Knowledge base

An organized structure that facilitates information storage and retrieval to support a knowledge management process.

Knowledge management

The acquisition, management, and distribution of relevant information to people who need to know, to improve business value and provide competitive advantage.

Knowledge map

A visual representation of the knowledge, barriers, dependencies, flows, gaps, processes, and sources at risk if key employees leave.

Knowledge mapping

The identification and categorization of an organization’s knowledge assets.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)

The special qualifications and personal attributes needed for a particular job.

Knowledge transfer

The flow of knowledge, skills, information, and competencies from one person to another, using methods that include mentoring, coaching, and training.

KPA

Key process area.

KPIs

Key performance indicators.

KSAs

Knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 

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