Today in my email inbox I was copied on a status report showing talent risk reduction happening in real-time using knowledge transfer. It inspired me to share with you how this is working on the ground, in just a few quick bullets. This is what we’re all about.
It is the story of a current client, with the knowledge transfer process working exactly as it should:
- A talent risk identified at a major high-tech company with a team of technical writers spread between offices in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and India using our Knowledge Silo Matrix (KSM).
- A mentor and an apprentice were assigned to transfer knowledge in one unique silo with the goal of increasing worker consistency and leveling the workload, a.k.a reducing the risk.
- The mentor, supervisor, and apprentice agreed on a customized Skill Development Plan (SDP), pointing out the specific skills the apprentice needed to learn and the questions the apprentice needs to be able to answer to show measurable improvement.
- The mentor and the apprentice meet several times a week in one-hour knowledge transfer sessions, as taught in our Knowledge Transfer Workshop (KTW). By the end of each session the apprentice is able to answer questions and perform the work according to the standards set by the mentor.
- The apprentice tracks these sessions in quick status updates (less than 20 lines of text). The knowledge transfer status reports go to the supervisor and the group manager.
- The supervisor and group manager occasionally hit reply with comments to show they are aware and interested in the progress. (This is how I was cc’d on the email today.)
- Future knowledge transfer sessions are on the calendar with plans to complete the knowledge transfer over the next 6-8 weeks. The executive sponsor can check in if she wants to ensure she’s satisfied that the risk is measurably reduced.
This is what reducing talent risk looks like when everyone does their part. Plans are made and executed. Results are tracked. Quality and consistency are improved.
It isn’t magic. It is just a good example of following the process.
