Posted by Reilly Atkinson on October 26, 2000 at 18:08:06:

In Reply to: Tacit Knowledge Transfer Model posted by John Erickson on October 26, 2000 at 12:34:24:

Sir -- Before embarking on a new initiative, as a consultant I tried to get the client to answer, "Why bother?", What problems are to be solved, who will benefit, who writes the checks? (And so forth)

Once you have the "why bother" understood, then you probably will have a good handle on the types of knowledge, tacit or otherwise, that will be in play -- and who has it, and who needs it, and who determines those sorts of things. Now you are in a position to make more specific decisions about approaches and techniques. The knowledge at issue will determine the most appropriate transfer mechanisms.

It might pay well to examine examples in which this type of transfer has been successful. In the arts and some sports there are master classes, short, intense 1 on 1 sessions in which the master points to weakeness of performance or execution, and points to solutions. Shaping a musical phrase, dumping a drop shot, sinking a put all are governed primarily by tacit knowledge.

In the trades, the master - apprentice system has worked well for centuries. In business, many learn the art of management from mentors -- talking, walking and watching.

All these efforts require strong focus and concentration for both "master" and student, and lots of time. All have very small "class size". Under most circumstances, you will not have these luxuries.

So, chances are, you will have to start at ground zero. People to help you are certainly around, but it is very unlikely that you will find a start-to-finish program around. What you want to do, the "why bother", should provide the major focus of your efforts.

Good luck,

Regards,
Reilly Atkinson

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