From Static Map to Action Hub: Putting Time, Place, and Priorities in the Sentient Knowledge Map

I’m excited to share my recently published book chapter from Metrics, Mapping, and Modelling for Masterful Management in Higher Education (Emerald Press, 2025) entitled Multifunctional Tools Provided by the Sentient Knowledge Map

Chapter 16 highlights the SKM’s “multi-tool” features—practical utilities that make an institutional model more actionable, searchable, and management-ready. Readers learn how to embed events, due dates, and milestones (including key points in the academic calendar) directly into the SKM using TheBrain’s timeline, and how to tie any model component to those time-based commitments. The chapter also covers assigning locations to items, applying periods, durations, ranges, and target timeframes, and defining the scope of impact so leaders can quickly see what matters, where, and when. It introduces a Balanced Scorecard schema to support the disciplined selection of metrics and objectives, along with tools for tracing mandates back to their source. Finally, it shows how tags, filters, flags, bookmarks, warnings, and housekeeping labels turn the SKM into a navigable, maintainable working environment—helping institutions surface what they need, spot concerns early, and keep the model clean as it grows.

Many of the book’s chapters have a companion video which can be viewed for free on the Higher Education Leadership Learning Online Community web site. Visit the site to see the complete and evolving list.

If you’re involved in higher-ed leadership, strategy, assessment, or institutional research, I’d love for you to take a look at the chapter and add your comments below. If you would like assistance implementing any of the ideas addressed, please compete a consultation request form – the first hour is free for any institution.