Print version

Wiki knowledge network tool for Defence

DSTO has developed an online resource, known as Logwiki, which provides a new way for Defence personnel to acquire, share and develop knowledge related to logistics

DSTO Researcher Shane Reschke with Logwiki web site

The Logwiki approach to knowledge development is similar to that of Wikipedia, a free online encyclopaedia now avidly used by millions of people around the world on a daily basis, operating in many different languages.

The knowledge base of a Wikipedia-style resource, called a ‘wiki’ (Hawaiian, meaning ‘quick’), is entered and validated by the community of users themselves. 

While the veracity of such resources has been deeply questioned by some commentators, a study reported in the journal, Nature, has found Wikipedia to have a reliability similar to that of Encyclopaedia Britannica, with comparable error rates for established articles on both major and minor errors and omissions.

Logwiki site concept

The innovation that Wikipedia brings to the field of knowledge generation and management is that instead of panels of experts working ‘behind closed doors’ for the creation and editing of articles, the entire community – experts and novices alike – are involved in an open work process.

Because wikis, such as Wikipedia and Logwiki, are easy to use and encourage contributions, the number of articles contained in these knowledge resources is vastly greater than traditional resources, creating a more comprehensive and informative knowledge base.

The basic ground rules for contributing information are that content must be referenced. Changes made to Logwiki articles are recorded in an Information page, so that all entries made are preserved, and everyone can see the entire development history of an article.  This history also assists the process of undoing incorrect changes, and everyone is encouraged to get involved and have a go.

A corollary of the wiki approach is that any concerns over article content are openly discussed and are fully traceable, allowing a reader to better judge the quality of information in a wiki article than for those in an encyclopedia.

Articles are interlinked with others using familiar web hyperlinks, and so, the Logwiki website as a whole constitutes a seamless, interactive knowledge base.

Unlike traditional information repositories that develop their knowledge resources periodically with the release of new issues, a Wikipedia-style knowledge base is in a state of constant evolution, continually improving on the overall accuracy of the information provided, and also expanding and adapting the information available in response to changes in the real world.

In the context of ADF operations, this aspect of Logwiki means the resource can be used to provide up-to-date content for Standard Operating Procedures and even Doctrine.

Built-in dispute resolution

By making the process open to a large number of contributors, the number of errors that might arise when relying on a single source is reduced. Any perceived aberrations are given attention by a potentially large pool of editors who work to achieve an agreed view.

If there are issues that simple agreement is unable to resolve, levels of regulation may be employed, ranging from informal mediation to formal mediation and finally arbitration by a committee.

The expectation of the Logwiki developers is that regulatory volunteers will emerge as people develop an understanding of the value of the Logwiki.

The Wikipedia experience has shown that this approach to dispute resolution works. At the same time, experience has shown that only a handful of the tens of thousands of new articles created every month have ever required the attentions of an arbitration committee.

Logwiki success established

A prototype version of Logwiki has been made available to all Defence personnel on the Defence Restricted Network (DRN). Those visiting for the first time are encouraged to participate with online help pages that provide information on how to access the site as well as write and edit articles. There is no style or content manual at present.

According to ADF member, Capt Michael Cullen, Army, who recently familiarised himself with Logwiki, resources of this kind represent a significant advance over previous ways of doing business.

“There is a growing interest worldwide and within the ADO on the importance of knowledge management,” he says. “The growth of wikis on the internet is exploding. I believe that the use of wikis and similar software will eventually be adopted by Defence, as has happened already with mobile phones, email, internet usage, databases, video conferencing and web pages.

“Wikis will allow us to capture much of the dispersed knowledge that is currently stored in email boxes, personal drive spaces and within the heads of unit members. Having this knowledge in an easily-updatable, easily-searched system will provide quick access to important data and assist unit officers and NCOs in making more informed decisions in a shorter time. It will greatly assist our productivity, reduce wasted effort and retain hard-earned experience.”

Lt Col Bob Strachan, previously the Acting Director of Strategic Logistic Planning & Analysis, Strategic Logistics Branch, also enthuses about the potential usefulness of this knowledge resource, saying that, “Logwiki provides a flexible and easy-to-use way for ADF logisticians to increase the value of data by enhancing ‘hard facts’ with qualifying or background information. Such information might, for example, include an individual’s experience of operating or maintaining a particular ADF platform under special or unusual conditions.”

ADF personnel with DRN access can visit the Logwiki site at http://logwiki.dsto.defence.gov.au.

Back to the top