Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Knowledge Transfer

Most if not all of the books, articles, blog posts and papers I read about knowledge management are talking about relatively simple and traditional organizational environments.  Silos, if they exist, are silos within a single organization.  I am looking for resources that address more complex environments.  How do you efficiently manage knowledge transfer in an environment where the matrixed organization is superimposed on layers of contractors.  On specific projects, everyone on the "team" (contractor or not)  may recognize the need to collaborate around the goals of the team/project, but when it comes to supporting the longer-term goals of the organization, isn't each individual expected to run back to his/her respective home base.  If you are a contractor, how much of your personal knowledge are you comfortable transferring to someone working on another contract?

3 comments:

Edmore Veremu said...

Barbara you poss a very pertinent question. How much are you as a contractor willing to give in a matrix structure with many contractors? Isn't this giving vital information to either potential competition or to the contracting company such that they may not need you in future. How much knowledge transfer is necessary for survival as a contractor?

Having worked with a few contractors, it is obvious that they encapsulate information and give only enough to keep their business. I guess as a contractor I am more inclined toward this for the sack of keeping the business. My encouragement is that the contractors should manage their knowledge transfers within their company more efficiently to ensure continuity and only give knowledge out that leaves them safe.

Edmore Veremu said...

Barbara you poss a very pertinent question. How much are you as a contractor willing to give in a matrix structure with many contractors? Isn't this giving vital information to either potential competition or to the contracting company such that they may not need you in future. How much knowledge transfer is necessary for survival as a contractor?

Having worked with a few contractors, it is obvious that they encapsulate information and give only enough to keep their business. I guess as a contractor I am more inclined toward this for the sack of keeping the business. My encouragement is that the contractors should manage their knowledge transfers within their company more efficiently to ensure continuity and only give knowledge out that leaves them safe.

Stephen Duffield said...

Hi Barbara, A good question, I would take it further in that the problem also lies with Project Managers within an organisation. To help a PM get his/her next role/job/gig they are encourage not to share their knowledge... A key problem for knowledge capture/transfer.
http://www.invictaprojects.com.au/pmlessonslearnedblog/?p=299
Enjoy your posts, Stephen