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What is Knowledge Transfer?
Knowledge Transfer refers to the structured process of sharing skills, expertise, information, and insights from one person, team, or organisation to another. It ensures that critical knowledge is preserved, accessible, and used effectively across the business.
Definition
Knowledge Transfer is the movement of knowledge from a source to a recipient to improve capability, performance, or understanding.
Key Takeaways
- Ensures continuity and reduces reliance on individuals.
- Includes both explicit (documented) and tacit (experiential) knowledge.
- Critical for succession planning, onboarding, and cross-functional collaboration.
Understanding Knowledge Transfer
Knowledge Transfer is essential in modern organisations where expertise can easily become siloed or lost due to turnover. It involves methods such as documentation, training sessions, mentorship, job shadowing, debriefs, and digital knowledge systems.
Tacit knowledge—often the most valuable—is transferred through experience-based techniques like apprenticeships, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. Explicit knowledge is transferred through manuals, databases, and recorded processes.
Effective Knowledge Transfer increases organisational learning capacity, enhances decision-making, and strengthens operational consistency.
Formula (If Applicable)
There is no strict formula, but Knowledge Transfer effectiveness can be evaluated using:
Knowledge Transfer Efficiency Score
Based on:
- Documentation completeness
- Training quality
- Knowledge accessibility
- Recipient competence improvement
Real-World Example
A senior engineer nearing retirement may mentor junior engineers, share design documentation, and record walkthrough videos to ensure continuity.
In consulting firms, project debriefs and knowledge repositories ensure insights from one client engagement benefit future work.
Importance in Business or Economics
Knowledge Transfer protects organisations from knowledge loss, accelerates learning curves, strengthens competitive advantage, and enhances workforce development.
It is central to innovation, risk management, and organisational resilience.
Types or Variations
- Tacit Knowledge Transfer: Experience-based learning.
- Explicit Knowledge Transfer: Documented information sharing.
- Digital Knowledge Transfer: Technology-enabled sharing.
Related Terms
- Knowledge Management (KM)
- Organisational Learning
- Succession Planning
- Knowledge Base System
Sources and Further Reading
- https://www.apqc.org/knowledge-management
- https://hbr.org/2000/03/knowledge-management-and-organizational-learning
Quick Reference
- Core Idea: Structured sharing of knowledge.
- Primary Benefit: Ensures continuity and capability building.
- Impact: Higher efficiency and organisational resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Knowledge Transfer difficult?
Because tacit knowledge is hard to document and requires experiential learning.
When should Knowledge Transfer occur?
During onboarding, role transitions, project handovers, and organizational change.
What tools support Knowledge Transfer?
Knowledge bases, training programs, collaboration platforms, and mentorship.
