How We Work

Knowledge Continuity Consultants (KCC) has developed a methodological approach to achieve Knowledge Continuity and to transfer critical knowledge from a departing employee to a successor (and makes relevant knowledge useable across an organization if applicable). KCC has developed Knowledge Preservation and Learning (KP&L) Methods™ and its companion Knowledge Continuity Book™. Our approach uses qualitative elicitation interviews and features facilitation by trained Capture Specialists.

In July 2010, one of our Army clients received the Army (CIO/G-6) Knowledge Management (KM) Award in the “People” category for its “Knowledge Harvesting” Program. The “Knowledge Harvesting” program implemented by our client is based in our proprietary methods with onsite support from our knowledge preservation experts.

The KCC Methodology

KCC believes that our methodological approach represents the ideal knowledge preservation engagement scenario. This approach ensures that the critical knowledge to be preserved is identified by the client and that all collection activities are tailored specifically for the supported client’s needs. This reduces risk and increases the likelihood of program success. Our experience with knowledge preservation engagements also positions us to modify our approach when required to leverage lessons learned, existing templates and knowledge preservation best practices to fast track solutions when required. This is often done to provide a Proof of Concept product (2-3 KCB™ for client review and evaluation) prior to committing to a full scale knowledge preservation engagement. Our approach includes:

1. Kickoff Meeting with Sponsor
   KCC will conduct a kickoff meeting with the supported client sponsor and confirm our way ahead (usually articulated in our work proposal). In short, this allows all stakeholders to clarify, understand and agree to all requirements. It also allows all stakeholders to document exceptions to work proposals (if necessary) so that we can adjust to meet client needs.
2. Conduct Organizational Assessment
   We tailor each engagement for each unique client by conducting a Critical Knowledge Survey of key leaders (as defined by the supported client) to identify the critical knowledge to be collected. Once the Critical Knowledge Survey is conducted and our analysis is completed, we will present a solution recommendation to the supported client regarding critical knowledge to be preserved.
3. KCB™ Customization
   We leverage existing templates, best practices, and lessons learned from previous engagements in order to fast track knowledge preservation solutions and help our clients control costs. Templates are routinely tailored based on the input received from our Critical Knowledge Survey of key leaders, done as a part of the Organizational Assessment. This ensures that each knowledge preservation engagement is shaped to meet the requirements of each unique client.
4. Knowledge Preservation Environment and Repository Set Up
   KCC partners with supported clients to determine the best knowledge preservation environment for them and then implements the agreed upon solution. The KCB ™ is currently developed in Microsoft’s SharePoint. However, our methodology is not limited solely to a SharePoint solution. We can deploy our approach to any file sharing repository already in use.
5. KCB™ Population and Handoff
   Our approach uses qualitative elicitation interviews and facilitation by a trained Capture Specialist. Our approach also includes KCB™ population by the Capture Specialists relieving the supported client of this administrative burden of populating the KCB™ and of the handoff from a departing employee to a successor.
6. KCB™ Quality Assurance (QA)
   Every KCB ™ receives a QA review prior to a handoff being conducted. This QA review verifies functionality (ensures that links work, artifacts are included as intended, etc.) and also ensures that KCB™ details explain the “how” and “why”- not just the “what”. The QA review identifies corrective actions to be taken and tracks those actions to completion.

TEST DRIVE THE KNOWLEDGE CONTINUITY BOOK (KCB™)

KCC offers its clients the opportunity to test drive the KCB™ through the implementation of a Proof of Concept. The KCB™ Proof of Concept generally involves the knowledge capture of 3-7 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) over approximately 8 to 12 weeks. KCC would place two highly experienced Knowledge Preservation Specialists on the client’s site and conduct direct elicitations with its designated SMEs. KCC would establish a KCB™ management site within the client’s environment, where the completed KCBs™ would reside. To facilitate the knowledge capture, KCC would use its four existing critical knowledge templates (Technical, Support, Management, Executive). The completed KCBs™ would be accessible to anyone the client designates. At the end of the knowledge capture, the client would have the completed KCBs™ packed with critical knowledge from the SME and a KCC assessment recommending the way ahead.

Our approach ensures that you will never lose the critical knowledge that makes your organization successful.

Got knowledge? We can help you keep it!