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KCS Principles

Certification

This certification verifies that support center professionals possess the understanding of the Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS SM) methodology, a set of processes/practices that leverage knowledge as a key asset of the support organization. Additionally, this certification validates that they know how to implement the practical steps for capturing, structuring, and successfully reusing knowledge through the knowledge management process.

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Training

Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS), developed by the Consortium for Service Innovation, is a methodology and a set of processes and practices that leverage knowledge as a key asset of the support organization. Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS) is proven to allow service and support organizations to significantly improve service levels to customers, gain operational efficiencies, and increase the organization’s value to the company through knowledge management.

This Knowledge Management best-practices course will provide support center supervisors, managers, and directors with a set of practical steps for capturing, storing, and successfully reusing knowledge. Participants will learn how to implement a strategy for adopting Knowledge-Centered Services that creates and maintains knowledge as a by-product of the incident management process.

KCS is a Service Mark of the Consortium for Service Innovation. Read about HDI's history with the KCS Consortium here.

Course Sneak Peek
Get an inside look at HDI's KCS Principles course, with lessons from the official workbook!
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What You Will Learn

  • How to efficiently reuse, improve, maintain and create quality, easy-to-find knowledge articles
  • A process for monitoring the quality of knowledge
  • Ways to motivate staff to use the knowledge management practices and to effectively assess individual and team contributions
  • How you can minimize or eliminate the need for a knowledge engineering function
  • How to articulate the value of knowledge management practices for your organization
  • A strategy for sustainable success that minimizes investments in knowledge workflow and maximizes the return
  • How to identify and avoid the common pitfalls associated with knowledge management

Who Should Attend?

  • Support professionals and project managers who want actionable steps to improve time-to-resolve and reduce expense by utilizing a knowledge management program
  • Individuals who are preparing for the Knowledge-Centered Service Principles

Course Outline

Unit 1: What Is Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS)?

  • What Is Knowledge-Centered Service?
  • What Led to the Development of KCS?
  • KCS Principles
  • Why Do You Need KCS?
  • What Are the Benefits of KCS?

Unit 2: The KCS Principles and Core Concepts

  • KCS Principles
  • KCS Core Concepts

Unit 3: The KCS Practices

  • The KCS Practices
  • Understanding KCS
  • The KCS Methodologies

Unit 4: Aligning KCS with the Business

  • Aligning Business Goals and Objectives
  • Providing Additional Value with KCS
  • KCS Benefits and ROI

Unit 5: Content Health

  • The Content Standard
  • KCS Article State
  • Developing A Content Standard
  • Creating Evolve Loop Articles
  • Archiving Old Articles
  • Dealing with Legacy Data
  • Priming the Knowledge Base
  • Global Support Considerations
  • Knowledge Domain Analysis
  • Content Health Indicators
  • Self-Service Success
  • Self-Service Measures

Unit 6: KCS Roles and Responsibilities

  • KCS Roles and Licensing Model
  • The KCS Licensing Model
  • Defining Roles and Competencies

Unit 7: Process Integration

  • Process Integration
  • Structured Problem Solving
  • Seamless Technology Integration
  • Search Technology for KCS
  • Closed Loop Feedback
  • KCS Process Integration Indicators

Unit 8: Performance Assessment

  • Assessing the Creation of Value
  • Feedback and Reputation Model

Unit 9: Leadership

  • Leadership
  • Tap into Internal Motivators
  • Recognition Programs
  • Compelling Purpose
  • Promote Teamwork

Unit 10: Communication

  • Communication
  • Key Messaging and Elevator Pitches
  • Handling Questions and Objections
  • Programs for Social Engagement

Unit 11: Technology

  • Functional Requirements
  • Technology Selection
  • KCS Verified

Unit 12: The KCS Adoption Roadmap

  • The KCS Adoption Program
  • Adoption Phases
  • Adoption Roles
  • KCS Implementation Strategy
  • KCS Investment
  • Critical Success Factors

Online Course

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Online, self-paced training allows student to train at their own speed, permitting them to concentrate on areas of specific need. Students can train from any computer with Internet access, and the course takes about 10-12 to complete.

  • Learn virtually anytime, anyplace, and at any pace.
  • Online training is the most cost effective means for employees to achieve certification particularly for companies with remote employees or multiple office locations.
  • Ramp up employees quickly. Courses can be activated in as short as 24 hours.

Once registered for an online course, you have 12 weeks to access the course. A 28-day extension is available for an online course for a fee of $50. Exam retakes are available for a $99 fee. Contact the HDI Customer Care Center at 800.248.5667.

View the Online Course Demo to learn more about the self-paced learning option.

View the Online Course FAQs.

Virtual Classroom

Calendar <b>Price: </b>$1,699

These scheduled courses provide students with live, instructor-led training delivered by HDI faculty. Using web conferencing software and an audio bridge, students interact with the instructor without ever leaving their desk.

  • Minimize the impact on your daily schedule by only training eight hours a day for three days.
  • Learn only what you need to with targeted, topic-specific courses.
  • Ask questions and interact with the instructor.

View the Virtual Classroom FAQs

Private Group Training

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HDI can train your team at your facility, eliminating individual travel costs and putting more control in your hands.

  • Control class size and pick training dates that accommodate your business schedule.
  • Focus on your organization’s key issues and pain points.
  • Save money. With groups of eight or more, this option is often more cost effective.
  • To learn more about this program, contact an account manager or call 1.800.248.5667.

HDI Corporate Training Program

HDI can certify your in-house instructor to deliver HDI courses to your staff. Purchase student kits, which include official HDI courseware and a certification exam, when training is scheduled.

This program is ideal for companies training more than 50 support staff annually and those that include HDI training and certification in their new-hire programs.

  • Learning is facilitated by someone who knows your business intimately.
  • Your instructor can customize specific areas (e.g., show actual company reports).
  • Your company controls the training schedule.
  • To learn more about this program, contact an account manager or call 1.800.248.5667.
On Demand
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Jan 22, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025
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May 06, 2025 - May 08, 2025
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Jun 24, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025
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Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025
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Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
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Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 04, 2025
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HDI offers courses in cities throughout North America. Don’t see a class near you or when you would like to attend? Contact your or find an to discuss your needs.


Certification Exam

The certification exam is included with training purchased directly from HDI. It may also be purchased separately. The exam must be completed within 12 weeks of purchase.

The certification exam is based on the KCS Principles Certification Standard and is delivered online through the HDI Learning Center.

Each exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions and must be completed in 75 minutes. A minimum score of 80 percent is required to pass a certification exam, unless otherwise published. Individuals who achieve the passing score will receive a certificate from HDI acknowledging their accomplishment and a credentialing logo that may be added to signature blocks and business cards.

Our courses are developed from the certification standards and are designed to assist a student in preparing for an HDI certification exam. They reinforce the core concepts of the certification standards and provide skills-building opportunities for the attendees

Exam Weighting


The certification exam is randomly generated from a pool of pre-authorized exam questions. As a result, each certification exam is different. The questions have been classified by the categories of the HDI Standard. The certification exam is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge in each category.

The number of questions presented from each category is based on the certification weighting. When the time available to study prior to taking a certification exam is limited, consider the certification weighting and review the categories with the highest allocations.

The following table represents the weighting for each of the standards categories within the   certification exam. This information is provided to help you focus as you prepare for the exam.

Category Weighting %
Leadership 0 %
Policy and Strategy 0 %
People Management 0 %
Resources 0 %
Process and Procedures 0 %

 A 28-day extension is available for an online exam for a fee of $50. Exam retakes can be purchased for a fee of $99. Contact the HDI Customer Care Center at 1.800.248.5667.

Practice Test

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Price: $79.00

HDI practice tests provide additional preparation for HDI certification exams. Once you complete a practice test, a report is provided that lists the questions missed and what competency within the HDI Standard you should review.

  • Each practice test is 30 questions and must be completed in 35 minutes
  • You may take multiple tests
  • Each practice test is randomly generated from a pool of test questions

View the Practice Tests FAQs.

HDI Support Center Analyst

Date: 6/7 - 6/9/11

Location: Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel
5855 West Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Full Course Description