Case 1 Knowledge Transfer
Many employers do not have a plan to manage and transfer knowledge. Because workforce dynamics have changed, there is a greater need than ever for a knowledge-transfer strategy. Business wisdom is taken from organizations with retirements, resignations, and terminations, leaving companies more likely than not to have less growth capacity and less efficiency, especially in the short run.
In the past, the expectation of passing along knowledge and leaving a legacy was a good fit with the values of long-tenured employees who spent their careers with the same company. But in the modern workplace, where four generations work side by side, knowledge is not always well-filtered throughout an organization.
As the Baby Boom generation of corporate leaders and experts approaches retirement, businesses in the U.S., Canada, and many European nations face the loss of experience and knowledge on an unprecedented scale, says Diane Piktialis, Mature Workforce Program Leader at The Conference Board. Younger workers cant be counted on to fill the void, as they lack the experience that builds deep expertise. They also tend to change jobs frequently, taking their technological savvy and any knowledge theyve gained with them.
Knowledge does not exist in a vacuum, so it is important to first identify and evaluate what kind of knowledge company executives are interested in capturing and sustaining.
Because so much knowledge transfer is cross-generational, from long-tenured to newer employees, an understanding of different learning styles based on generation facilitates the process. Understanding generational learning preferences and adapting how knowledge is conveyed can make the difference between merely harvesting knowledge and actually using it.
Adaptations should be made when the knowledge is specific to the organization and is mission critical, and when the less knowledgeable employee has specific generational learning preferences. For example, employees entering the workforce may prefer getting Instant Messages (IM) in real time rather than setting a schedule to meet. Gen Y employees may set up blogs to capture knowledge. Firms considering or using knowledge transfer processes should assess their readiness for Instant Messaging, blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasts, and virtual reality.
There are many knowledge transfer methods available, including training seminars, formal education, interviews, mentoring, apprenticeships, instant messaging, job transfer, simulations and games, peer assists, communities of practice, storytelling, wikis, blogs, white papers, and conferences.
Revised from:
American Management Association. (2017). Effective knowledge transfer can help transform your bottom line. Retrieved from http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/Effective-Knowledge-Transfer-Can-Help-Transform-Your-Bottom-Line.aspx.
Steve Trautman is one of Americas leading knowledge experts. View the following four videos to understand the depth of the knowledge-transfer process and follow Mr. Trautmans widely used knowledge transfer solution.
Pay close attention to the process. Developing your own Knowledge Silo Matrix and discussing what you found will be the basis of your Case 1 assignment.
Trautman, S. (2012, November 30). Introduction to the Steve Trautman Co. 3 step knowledge transfer process . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xj1iVhu308
Trautman, S. (2013, January 22). 5 questions that drive knowledge transfer . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IvB_cOo14y8
Trautman, S. (2012, December 19). The Steve Trautman Co. 3-step knowledge transfer solution with knowledge silo matrix demo . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=knN-ZzVAmMY
And finally, pulling it all together:
Trautman, S. (2012, December 18). How it works: The Steve Trautman Co. 3 step knowledge transfer solution . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tWyMU90x6o4
Case Assignment
1. For this Case Assignment you will be completing and analyzing a matrix following the Knowledge Silo Matrix instructions in the third video above. (The team you choose could be a current or past work group, a group of committee members, a group of family members, members of a rock band, or any group where you know the expertise needed and the skill levels of the employees/members.)
You may (a) complete the matrix by hand or (b) use the Knowledge Silo Matrix Word form. Remember these key points:
The Knowledge Silo Matrix (KSM) is a high-level tool of knowledge silos. Think bigger picture. For example, if you were filling out a KSM for building a house, some example silos would be Plumbing, Electrical, Flooring, Insulation, etc. Not Weld a pipe or Test for adequate water pressure. The blog article, Tip for Better, Faster Knowledge TransferIt’s Not What People KNOW, It’s What They Know How to DO, provided by The Steve Trautman Co., addresses the important distinction between Knowing vs. Doing. This will help you create a more actionable KSM.
Once you have your matrix completed, then respond to the following questions using the section headings in your paper that are marked in bold below. Utilize at least two sources of outside information from other authors; be sure to cite them and provide a reference list at the end.
2. IntroductionThis section is often written after you have completed the rest of your paper.
3. Work Team OverviewProvide an overview of the work team you have assessed in the Knowledge Silo Matrix. Who are they, how long have they been in the group, and what are their jobs?
4. Skill Level in SiloDiscuss each group members job in terms of his/her silo statusdiscussing why you have evaluated them as purple, green, yellow, or white.
5. Matrix AnalysisAnalyze what the matrix tells you.
a. Look at each silo and analyze what you see and what needs to be done to minimize the knowledge risk.
b. Look at the colors assigned to each employee (horizontal colors). What should be done next to minimize the risk related to each employee as well as to enhance the performance of the work team? Be sure to discuss the training needed (or not) for each member and what the format of the training should be given what you learn from the matrix.
6. Application of the Matrix–Discuss what you have learned from this exercise and the strengths of the Knowledge Silo Matrix approach and the challenges you see managers could face in an organization using the Matrix.
7. Conclusion
