Where operational knowledge resides. Is it distributed and codified, or trapped in institutional black boxes?
CODIFIED VS TRIBAL
Knowledge is documented, searchable, and accessible. New people can find answers. The organization functions even when key people leave.
Knowledge lives in people's heads. Veterans are irreplaceable. New hires take months to become productive. Departure = knowledge loss.
"Knowledge is power" is the problem. When people hoard knowledge, the organization becomes hostage to individuals. Bus factor of 1 = organizational fragility.
Organizations that don't document say they're "too busy." But the busyness comes from answering the same questions repeatedly, onboarding the same skills over and over, and rebuilding tribal knowledge after every departure.
Time to productivity in documented orgs
Time to productivity in tribal knowledge orgs
Everything in the public handbook. New hires productive in days.
Documentation-first culture. Knowledge is the product.
Proprietary systems. Training takes months. Knowledge is moat.
Apprenticeship model. Knowledge transfers person-to-person.