The success of higher education in an increasingly competitive market depends on the quality of the knowledge that is transferred in the training of individuals and the management that institutions apply in their education and organization processes, as well as their adaptation to the new challenges in a globalized world.

The concept of knowledge management (KM) is widely discussed in commercial applications, but there are limited academic discussions of how it is applied to educational organizations. Therefore, this paper describes the results of an research about how to improve and strengthen higher education, through the implementation of a knowledge management model in the higher education institutions context, supported by a methodology, based on the study and adaptation of the most recognized traditional models and methodologies in this area, and considering strategic planning and a systemic approach, which facilitates the development of technological support systems.

The methodology aims to integrate and standardize the different phases and activities required to manage this type of systems in the higher education institutions, strategically establishing the most important activities and adopting actions for their development, in order to facilitate organizational strengthening, academic, scientific or technological.

Its main structure emphasizes a spiral approach that represents the infinite recurrent development between its different phases and activities, and that leads to improvement through an iterative and incremental process, since new plans or activities can be added to achieve the objectives.

In conclusion, the competitiveness in the higher education is very strong and it requires the implementation of knowledge management to survive and succeed. There are various knowledge management frameworks and models available in the enterprises, however, the approach of a model applied at the higher education institutions is most suitable for discussing the use of knowledge for creation and sustenance of competitive advantages.

The alternative of implementing an educational management model, supported by knowledge management, demonstrates the need to change or improve traditional or classical structures through a more functional, agile and efficient strategic, tactical and operational model that facilitates including spaces for production, dissemination.

Keywords: Methodology, Knowledge management, Knowledge management models, Iterative process, Incremental process.