Articles by Hillary Feder
Knowledge Transfer: Secret Sauce for Continuous ImprovementHillary explains how knowledge transfer, which involves passing along both procedures and wisdom gained through experience, is critical for continuous improvement and success. • Organizations often fail to effectively transfer knowledge when employees leave, retire or change roles. This results in a loss of expertise and implicit knowledge. • Lack of knowledge documentation can cost organizations in terms of productivity and efficiency. Up to 42% of skills required to perform a role may only be known by the current employee. • Making a shift to formally document both procedural and implicit knowledge can help keep employees engaged and improve their work experience. • Important implicit knowledge to document includes a person's experiences, observations and insights that go beyond written procedures. • Knowledge transfer methods like mentoring, shadowing, paired collaboration and community collaboration can help transfer both procedural and implicit knowledge. • Traditional training through instructor-led or e-learning courses can provide a standardized knowledge base. • Developing a knowledge management system that includes consistent knowledge transfer methods can create a culture of shared learning. • Including knowledge documentation in job descriptions can foster a culture of knowledge transfer. • Effective knowledge transfer strengthens collaboration, cross-training and the overall employee experience.