Knowledge-Bytes: A New Series on Knowledge Management

Today’s focus: Knowledge Retention – Breadth & Depth

Recently, I was asked about the main challenges in knowledge retention projects.

The truth? There are many challenges, but if I had to highlight two key areas where mistakes often occur, I’d focus on breadth and depth:

Breadth:

There’s always more knowledge than we can capture. Even when we focus on what’s feasible, resources are often limited.

What’s the solution?

We prioritize—again and again.

We focus on knowledge that:

1. Isn’t already embedded in systems, processes, or other people.

2. Is core to the organization’s success.

3. Will be critical for the future.

Depth:

Often, we think we’ve done a good job by producing a nice set of documents, but their value is limited if we don’t dig deeper. The real challenge lies in uncovering the tacit knowledge—that unconscious expertise waiting to be made conscious.

How can we achieve this?

• Give people time to reflect.

• Use powerful, thought-provoking questions.

• Encourage storytelling and inspirational problem-solving discussions.

Is it doable? In most cases, yes; furthermore, our ROM Global new AI agents make it even more effective.

Knowledge retention, when done right, is a win-win-win: for the individual, for the organization and its future, and for us- the knowledge managers. 

Let’s not give up—it’s worth the effort!