Capturing tacit knowledge

How do you capture tacit knowledge through interviews prior to retirement??

In many respects conducting interviews to 'capture' important knowledge just prior to retirement may not be a good approach, why?

Relationships and trust are the key - do what you can to preserve contact and encourage connections - start a mentoring program, invite retired folks back to share their experiences and tell their stories.

http://denham.typepad.com/km/2004/0...rving_know.html

Tacit knowledge, by definition is hard to articulate, impossible to recall and difficult to discover - rather enter into a dialog, let the interesting knowledge emerge.

http://denham.typepad.com/km/2003/1...sting_know.html

Do not be fooled tacit knowledge cannot be hurried - it takes time to surface deep patterns, make important connections, find and evaluate weak signals.

Some more thoughts and leads

http://denham.typepad.com/km/2004/0...ring_knowl.html

So consider alternative approaches before you jump into those interviews - avoid strong structure, strive to maintain the relationship(s), give it time, let the interesting knowledge emerge.

Comments

[Cherie Brown]

I would hearing some of the best practices for capturing tacit knowledge of retirement age associates.