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Consortium for Service Innovation

KCS v6 Aligned Instructions

About the KCS® v6 Aligned Program

Through the KCS v6 Aligned program, vendors demonstrate that their product or service supports an element of the KCS methodology or adoption process. To be KCS v6 Aligned the product or service must comply with the KCS v6 Aligned standards.

The KCS v6 Aligned designation is a sister to the comprehensive, more stringent KCS v6 Verified designation that is designed for larger product suites such as Customer Management, Knowledge Management, or Enterprise Content Management Systems.

The Consortium for Service Innovation offers a KCS v6 Aligned designation for vendors who provide tools (software/systems) or services (consulting and training) that complement and/or enable KCS best practices in the workplace. The KCS v6 Aligned designation is a sister to the comprehensive, more stringent KCS v6 Verified designation that is designed for larger product suites such as Customer Management, Knowledge Management, or Enterprise Content Management Systems.

  • Where the KCS v6 Verified designation focuses on a complete set of functional capabilities required to enable KCS, the KCS v6 Aligned designation focuses on enabling the efficient application of one or two specific KCS Practice areas or elements that support KCS adoption and success.
  • Where the KCS v6 Verified designation requires the applicant to demonstrate their tool’s enablement of a broad scope of Practices and Techniques (Reuse, Improve, Content Health, etc), the KCS v6 Aligned designation requires the product or service to demonstrate clear and robust support, or enablement, of a maximum of two Practice areas or a key element of the KCS adoption best practices.

Overview of the Alignment Process

For both Tools and Services

KCS v6 Aligned for Tools

  1. Complete Self-Assessment Worksheets and email them to support@serviceinnovation.org. (To do this, select File > Make a copy… or Download as to Excel)
  2. Schedule and conduct online demo of functionality
  3. Complete the KCS v6 Aligned Designation form (includes submitting the Designation fee and signing and returning the License Agreement and Logo Usage Style Guide)
  4. Download logos, publish and market KCS v6 Aligned product
  5. Annual Aligned renewal is required (complete renewal form here)

KCS v6 Aligned for Services

  1. Submit materials that demonstrate how the service aligns with the KCS Principles and Practices:
    1. For services, this should be a generic statement of work and relevant deliverables
    2. For workshops, this should include the learning objectives, agenda, and presentation materials
  2. Complete the KCS v6 Aligned Designation form (includes submitting the Designation fee and signing and returning the License Agreement and Logo Usage Style Guide)
  3. Download logos, publish and market KCS v6 Aligned service
  4. Annual Aligned renewal is required (complete renewal form here)

What is KCS (Knowledge-Centered Service)?

Knowledge-Centered Service is a proven, vendor-neutral methodology that was developed and put to the test by the members of the not-for-profit Consortium for Service Innovation. The membership is made up of a collection of leading customer support organizations. The goal of KCS is to capture and structure an interaction and reuse the knowledge gained. The result is improved operational efficiency, employee moral, and customer satisfaction. KCS is not about technology, but about the principles and practices that have to surround the technology in order to be successful. Consortium members continue to hone the KCS processes. Meanwhile, they and many other support organizations are adopting these proven practices.

Benefits of KCS v6 Aligned for the Vendor

If achieved, the KCS v6 Aligned designation will let potential clients know that your tool or service contributes to the implementation, adoption, and long term success of KCS v6 best practices. Further, the applicant will receive license to use the KCS service mark and be able to use the KCS v6 Aligned designation in marketing and promotional materials related to the specific tool. Applicants will be provided a brief endorsement from the Academy for use on the tool or service’s marketing materials and/or web site. The name, endorsement, and link to the company/product web site will be included on the KCS Aligned web page on the KCS Academy's web site.

Eligible Types of Products and Services for KCS v6 Aligned

There are a wide range of products and services that support KCS adoption and success and are therefore candidates for the KCS v6 Aligned designation. 

Examples of tools include but are not limited to:

  • Tools that support elements of the Solve Loop: search, capture, structure, improve, reuse
  • Functionality that supports the Content Standard Checklist (formerly AQI) or the PAR (Process Adherence Review)
  • Reporting and dashboard functionality
  • Technology that supports the Evolve Loop capabilities: pattern recognition and data mining

Examples of KCS services include but are not limited to:

  • Assessment
  • Design session
  • Change management or program management
  • Tools evaluation and selection
  • Tool customization, configuration, and implementation
  • Self-service assessment and design
  • Training (if it is not offered as a Consortium workshop by KCS Certified Trainers)

Steps to Get KCS v6 Aligned for Tools and Services

For both tools and services:

  • Review the KCS v6 Aligned Instructions (this document)
  • Obtain KCS v6 Practices Certification from the Consortium for Service Innovation. The representative from the candidate company who will be conducting the demo tool's capability or will be providing the definition of services must hold a KCS v6 Practices Certification.
  • Complete the KCS v6 Aligned Application form and submit the Application fee (fees outlined here).


Please see the appropriate section for the remaining steps, below.

KCS v6 Aligned for Tools
  1. Complete Self-Assessment Worksheets and and email them to support@serviceinnovation.org.  (To do this, select File > Make a copy… or Download as to Excel)
    1. The Self-Assessment is designed to provide some structure for the description of the tool being submitted for alignment.  Please exclude fields that are not relevant.
    2. Please include any additional or emerging capabilities that are not on the worksheet.
  2. Schedule and conduct online demo of functionality
    1. Demos are done online via web session.  Please schedule at least three weeks prior to desired demo date.
    2. The demo of the criteria must be completed within 30 minutes.
    3. Consortium for Service Innovation staff will confirm KCS alignment.  The demo should be targeted at the relevant functionality that supports KCS as described in the self-assessment worksheets, not a generic sales presentation.
  3. Complete the KCS Aligned Designation form (includes submitting the Designation fee and signing and returning the License Agreement and Logo Usage Style Guide)
    1. If the Consortium for Service Innovation confirms the product meets the criteria, the license agreement is signed by both parties.
    2. The Consortium for Service Innovation reserves the right to exercise judgment in determining if the product adequately enables or supports the KCS methodology in a way that warrants designation as KCS v6 Aligned.  If alignment is not granted, feedback will be provided. The vendor may choose to make product changes based on this feedback and demonstrate it within one year of initial payment without an additional application fee. 
    3. The KCS v6 Aligned License Agreement is entered into by the vendor who seeks to have their product(s) carry the designation of “KCS v6 Aligned.” It outlines the conditions of participation, use of the logos, disclaimers, and conditions of the KCS v6 Aligned program.
  4. Market KCS v6 Aligned product
    1. The vendor will submit their logo to be posted on the KCS v6 Aligned products and services page.
    2. The vendor may issue a press release and is able to use the KCS v6 Aligned designation subject to the Style Guide.  The Consortium for Service Innovation can provide a quote for the press release.  The KCS Academy must approve the press release.
    3. Products remain on the KCS v6 Aligned products web page for 12 months from the date of initial posting. After that time they must be renewed to remain on the list.
  5. Complete Annual Renewal form and submit payment 
    1. KCS v6 Alignment will be issued and renewed annually.  Annual renewal confirms that the latest iteration continues to support KCS functionality.  Updated Self-Assessment worksheets are required as part of the annual renewal for tools.
    2. Any material change that would nullify the functional requirements requires a complete re-Alignment.
KCS v6 Aligned for Services
  1. Submit materials that demonstrate how the service aligns with the KCS Principles and Practices to support@serviceinnovation.org:
    1. For services, this should be a generic statement of work and relevant deliverables
    2. For workshops, this should include the learning objectives, agenda, and presentation materials
  2. Complete the KCS Aligned Designation form (includes submitting the Designation fee and signing and returning the License Agreement and Logo Usage Style Guide)
    1. If the Consortium for Service Innovation confirms the product meets the criteria, the license agreement is signed by both parties.
    2. The Consortium for Service Innovation reserves the right to exercise judgment in determining if the service adequately enables or supports the KCS methodology in a way that warrants designation as KCS Aligned.  If Alignment is not granted, feedback will be provided. The vendor may choose to make changes to the services based on this feedback and submit the updated documentation within one year of initial payment without an additional application fee. 
    3. The KCS v6 Aligned License Agreement is entered into by the vendor who seeks to have their service(s) carry the designation of “KCS v6 Aligned.” It outlines the conditions of participation, use of the logos, disclaimers and conditions of the KCS v6 Aligned program.
  3. Market KCS v6 Aligned service
    1. The vendor will submit their logo to be posted on the KCS v6 Aligned products and services page.
    2. Vendor may issue a press release and is able to use the KCS v6 Aligned designation subject to the Style Guide. The Consortium for Service Innovation can provide a quote for the press release.  The Consortium for Service Innovation must approve the press release.
    3. Services remain on the KCS v6 Aligned services web page for 12 months from the date of initial posting. After that time they must be renewed to remain on the list.
  4. Complete Annual Renewal form and submit payment
    1. KCS v6 Alignment will be issued and renewed for services by name.  Annual renewal confirms that the latest iteration continues to support KCS success
    2. Any material change to the service that would nullify its ability to support KCS success requires a complete re-Alignment.

KCS v6 Aligned Pricing*

KCS v6 Aligned Application Fee

$1,200 per tool or program

  • Non-refundable
  • Valid for 1 year from application payment date
  • Processing Self-Assessment
  • Technology Demonstration or Service Assessment

KCS v6 Aligned  Designation Fee

$1,200 per tool or program

  • Payable when Aligned designation is awarded
  • Posting logo & description on KCS v6 Aligned products page
  • Annual Update/Renewal for 1 year

KCS v6 Practices Certification

$450

Annual Renewal

$500

* plus any applicable taxes

KCS Community Rules of Conduct


Do No Harm: Be responsible and don't misrepresent yourself, claim false credentials or expertise, or give advice in a way that might cause someone harm. Don't incite or advocate harmful, derogatory or illegal practices.

Most of what the Consortium for Service Innovation and the KCS Academy Inc. creates is offered with a "right to use with attribution" agreement. Two exceptions to the right to use with attribution are the licensed materials for the KCS workshops and the contents of the Certification Exams. "Do No Harm" includes do no harm with respect to the integrity of the licensed materials and the value of the Certification Exams. You agree not to copy, distribute or discuss the questions and/or answers on any of the Academy's Certification Exams or in any way diminish the value and integrity of the Certification programs.

Sunshine Rule: Don't do anything that you would be embarrassed about having covered in an article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. And, if in doubt, don't.

Communications: This is your network. Most people have a common-sense feel for what is and what is not appropriate in the network and generally the network polices itself.  The following boundaries of acceptability or ground rules are offered for reference should the need arise.

Offensive Messages: Messages personally attacking, calling names, or otherwise harassing or being disparaging to another member, or any ethnic or religious group will be deleted. Offensive and/or vulgar language is not appropriate.

Adult Content/Illegal Activity: Messages containing sexually oriented or suggestive dialog, content, or links to such will be deleted. Messages with links to or suggesting illegal activity will also be deleted. Either could result in loss of access to the network.

Religious and Political Topics: These topics generally just cause bad feelings and do not align with the intent of the KCS network.

Other: The Academy will make an effort to remove ANY objectionable content in a reasonable time. We reserve the right to remove any content without providing a reason.


Vendor Specific Rules: There are vendors and consultants who have products and services that may help people resolve issues or increase their success with KCS. These vendors and consultants are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the discussions. Product features or service offerings may be discussed in response to an inquiry, however, to avoid the intrusion of overt sales messages in network interactions vendors are asked to:

  • Restrict postings to responses to customer inquiries which may be directly resolved by your product, and please indicate specifically how your product or service may resolve the issue.
  • Exploiting (spamming) the members of the network for personal or company gain will not be tolerated.
  • Clearly specify your vendor affiliation (with more than just an email address please).
  • Do not discuss pricing or purchase requirements. Instead, engage outside the KCS network via -mail, phone, or your web site.

Most vendors currently participating add value, but failure to adhere to any of these rules will result in content being deleted and possible loss of access to the KCS network. (Not to mention the bad image inappropriate behavior will create for your company.)

Lack of adherence to these rules of conduct will be grounds for loss of certification status and exclusion from the KCS network at the KCS Academy's discretion.

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