How to capture the know-how of your experts

It is important to know that the concept of know-how is part of the cultural, historical and intellectual capital of the industry. In fact, in the industrial sector, the issue of the transmission of knowledge has become one of the challenges of our society today. This is due to the massive retirement of an entire generation of experts. As a result, with the departure of seniors, sustainability of the knowledge capital is at stake. From an economic point of view, the consequences of such loss can quickly be catastrophic for the industrial world as well as for the transfer of know-how, which is the basis of a good business management.

In this article, we will attempt to show you how to capture experts’ knowledge more easily.

Why do we capture the know-how of experts?

First of all, let’s define what company know-how is. This concept refers to a person’s all precise and specific knowledge on a manufacturing process or working method.

An expert is an individual with an increased know-how and broad knowledge in a specific field and who is able to put them at the service of the company.

It is possible to say that an expert is the perfect mix between a scholar endowed with broad knowledge and a specialist mastering the techniques related to his sector. In his operation mode, he relies on theoretical, technical and practical knowledge.

Regardless of its sector, each company has to deal with employees’ retirement and high turnover. This might lead to the risk of knowledge loss, hence the importance of capture and proper transmission of knowledge. Indeed, capitalization of knowledge is the best way to benefit from relevant knowledge at any time.

In the industrial field, it is important to know that knowledge actors occupy a significant place, be it knowledge producers such as experts or knowledge consumers like technicians.

Knowledge capture will not only preserve the know-how but also facilitate intergenerational transfer. Moreover, this helps increase the productivity of the industry and facilitate its innovation. Indeed, the greater the individual and collective knowledge capture, the greater the productivity and propensity to innovate of the factory.

How to capture it?

First, it should be noted that learning, know-how capture and transmission are deemed as determining factors to ensure performance in a company. However, knowledge capture requires plenty of time and resources (human and material).

We offer some tips to capture the know-how of experts within industries.

Capturing by live videos and images

If you wish to spread the know-how of experts on a large scale, using software of digital work instructions might be the ideal solution. In fact, saving videos and pictures can facilitate knowledge capture. A visual aid helps to capture knowledge and subsequently convey it more easily. A visual communication allows delivering clear and precise messages. It is also a better way of retaining information. It was proven scientifically that using a visual aid (videos and pictures) helps the individual efficiently remember information. This is because pictures are stored in the long-term memory.

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Troubleshooting capture

It is equally important to collect all information concerning equipment troubleshooting. As a result, employees should be encouraged to gather all their knowledge and put it at the service of their colleagues. Indeed, knowing the field well, an expert has the experience of several years, he knows how to repair, troubleshoot and intervene in case of a breakdown.

Troubleshooting capture is essential in any industry. In fact this allows:

  • Facilitating problem identification
  • Reducing the amount of time spent on tasks
  • Knowing the activities of each person. Therefore, when an employee leaves, the acquired knowledge about the troubleshooting process is preserved.
  • Improving efficency

Creating mentoring programs

It should be noted that mentoring is a mode of business support to promote the integration of new employees and create a link between generations. This aims to create a solid relationship based on mutual exchange and shared trust between staff. In an industry, developing an online mentoring program enables experts to work face to face with their collaborators. This program aims to associate an expert (mentor) with an employee wishing to improve his skills (mentee). The expert acts as a role model and offers support to the mentee by transmitting his knowledge, resources and advice. This aims to help him develop his skills and knowledge.

In other words, it is possible to say that thanks to mentoring, the mentee will:

  • Acquire and improve his new skills
  • Accelerate his integration
  • Breaking isolation thanks to the support of person endowed with the company experience
  • Acquire tribal knowledge and company strategy faster (codes, culture, internal networks…)

Making knowledge easy to document

Documenting knowledge is an easy way to transmit the know-how. In fact, in industry, a good technician is not necessarily able to transmit his knowledge well. Therefore, it is important to find a solution to make complex information accessible to everyone, hence the necessity to document.

This is another way to facilitate knowledge capture and information digitalization. To this end, it is recommended to use software of digital work instructions. Indeed, digitalizing skills allows a good knowledge management. This facilitates the capture, storing and transmission of operational know-how in the company.

Using a work instruction solution to transmit to the youngest

Picomto is software of digital work instructions. It is considered as an ideal solution that will make it easier to document the knowledge of experts and thus facilitate the transmission process.

Download our ebook on the benefits of switching to digital work instructions