Implicites make explicit knowledge: techniques and tools for a successful knowledge transfer

The most important thing in the short term: Implicit knowledge – i.e. knowledge that is difficult to understand – can be systematically secured by techniques such as storytelling, mentoring and after-action reviews.

Supported by tools such as wikis, collaboration platforms and specialized knowledge transfer software, this know-how is accessible to the entire organization.

Implizites make knowledge explicit: techniques and tools for a successful knowledge transfer

Short: In today's knowledge-based working environment, the effective ** knowledge transfer between employees** is a decisive competitive advantage.

In today's knowledge-based working environment, the effective ** knowledge transfer between employees** is a decisive competitive advantage.

Companies that create the valuable implicit knowledge of their experts and make them accessible to all are more innovative, agile and resilient.

But how does it succeed in explicating this often unconscious and difficult to grasp knowledge? This article highlights proven techniques and modern tools that support companies.

What is implicit knowledge and why is it so valuable?

Short: Implicit knowledge, often referred to as "stilles" or "experience knowledge", is based on personal experiences, intuitions and learned skills.

Implicit knowledge, often referred to as "stilles" or "experience knowledge", is based on personal experiences, intuitions and learned skills.

It is the "know-how" that is difficult to put into words or to write down in a manual.

Think of the experienced sales representative who instinctively knows how to respond to a difficult customer, or the programmer who has a "smooth feeling" for the most elegant solution to a complex problem.

This knowledge is deeply rooted in the ways of acting and thinking of people and makes up a large part of the true competence of an employee.

The loss of this knowledge, for example through the exit of employees, can have devastating consequences for companies.

A structured ** knowledge transfer for employees** is therefore essential to secure and develop this valuable capital.

Techniques for converting implicit to explicit knowledge

Short: The process of converting implicit to explicit knowledge is called externalization.

The process of converting implicit to explicit knowledge is called externalization. There are different methods that have proven themselves in practice.

## Communicative methods

Short: The direct exchange between people is often the most effective way to share implicit knowledge.

The direct exchange between people is often the most effective way to share implicit knowledge. The following formats are especially suitable:

• Storytelling: Experienced employees tell stories from their working day. The narrative form not only conveys facts, but also emotions and context, which promotes understanding and anchoring of knowledge.* Interviews and debriefing: Targeted interviews by experts after completion of a project or an important task help to understand and document their procedures, decisions and learning processes.
• Mentoring and Shadowing: Younger employees accompany experienced colleagues ("Shadowing") or are supervised by them over a longer period (Mentoring). This direct insight into the way of working allows intensive knowledge transfer.

## Observing and Analytical Methods

Short: Sometimes it is easier to explicate knowledge through observation and analysis instead of talking about it.

Sometimes it is easier to explicate knowledge through observation and analysis instead of talking about it.

• After action reviews (AAR): A team discusses what went well and what can be improved after an action or project. The focus is on learning together from experience.
• Lessons Learned Workshops: Similar to AARs, but often with a wider focus on strategic findings from projects.

## Collaborative Methods

Short: Working together and solving problems naturally promotes the exchange of implicit knowledge.

Working together and solving problems naturally promotes the exchange of implicit knowledge.

• Communities of Practice (CoP): Groups of employees with similar interests or tasks meet regularly to exchange experiences and learn from each other.
• Wissenslandkarten: The visualization of knowledge domains and experts in the company makes transparent who has knowledge and promotes targeted exchange.

Tools to support knowledge transfer

Short: Modern software solutions can make the process of knowledge transfer considerably easier and scalable.

Modern software solutions can make the process of knowledge transfer considerably easier and scalable. The choice of the right tool depends on the specific requirements of the company.

Tool category	Examples	Scope
Wikis & Knowledge Bases	Confluence, Notion, SharePoint	Centrally depositing and structuring explicit knowledge, documentation of processes and instructions.
** Collaboration Platforms	Slack, Microsoft Teams	Fast team exchange, discussions, ad hoc questions and responses.
Social Intranets	Jive, LumApps	Promoting company-wide communication and exchange, similar to an internal social network.
** Lernmanagementsysteme (LMS)	Moodle, Cornerstone	Providing structured learning content, e-learning courses and certifications.
Specialized knowledge transfer tools	AmberSearch, Guru	Intelligent search functions that bundle relevant information from different sources and proactively suggest.

Conclusion: Using knowledge as a strategic resource

Short: The transformation of implicit to explicit knowledge is not a unique project, but a continuous process that requires an open and collaborative corporate culture.

The transformation of implicit to explicit knowledge is not a unique project, but a continuous process that requires an open and collaborative corporate culture.

The targeted use of methods such as storytelling, mentoring and after-action reviews, supported by modern technologies, sets the foundation for a successful ** knowledge transfer of employees**.

Companies that master this process not only ensure valuable know-how, but also promote the learning ability and innovative power of their entire organization.

Groenewold IT Solutions understands the challenges of knowledge management in digital transformation.

With our expertise, we help you implement the appropriate strategies and technologies to systematically capture, share and make your company knowledge useful.

Contact us to learn how we can support you on the way to a learning organization.

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Deepening: Requirements and stakeholders

Short: Projects around implicites rarely fail in missing features – more often in unclear decision makers and changing priorities.

Projects around implicites rarely fail in missing features – more often in unclear decision makers and changing priorities.

Document assumptions explicitly (what we know, what we guess) and link them to review appointments.

techniques and tools should not only be addressed ‘sometimes’: specify measurable intermediate results that show whether the selected direction is in place.

This increases internal acceptance and makes external communication more credible – for example towards management, supervisory board or public bodies.

Practice impulse on the topic

Short: What has proven itself: small, reviewed increments with real users or internal key users.

What has proven itself: small, reviewed increments with real users or internal key users.

So learn early on whether assumptions to implicites, know, explicitly, make voting – and can steer budget into the right building blocks instead of subsequent error correction.

Groenewold IT supports architecture, implementation and integration – according to your focus: Software development, IT consulting. If you are unsafe, which entry is the most risky one, start with a short architecture or discovery workshop instead of a maximum microscope.

Conclusion and next steps

Short: Implicit knowledge makes explicit: Techniques and tools for a successful knowledge transfer can then be successfully implemented if technology, organization and measurability match – instead of isolated tool rollouts without process reference.

Implicit knowledge makes explicit: Techniques and tools for a successful knowledge transfer can then be successfully implemented if technology, organization and measurability match – instead of isolated tool rollouts without process reference.

Use the overview in this article as a basis for discussion on priorities, risks and the first loadable pilot.

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