One of the main assets of a company is the knowledge it strives to create, acquire, manage and optimize. And since, in the world of the industry as in any organization, some people leave while others arrive, it is essential to ensure that this know-how can be transmitted from the first to the last, in a fluid and as complete a manner as possible. To ensure this transmission of knowledge, various tools are used, often as part of a centralization process. Being able to find, in one and the same place, all the information you need to do your job, that is indeed the major interest of this approach.
The importance of knowledge transfer
In any company, the composition of the workforce is subject to constant change: employees prepare for retirement, while new employees arrive. The problem for managers is therefore as follows: how to ensure that the knowledge held by former recruits is properly transmitted to them.
This represents an entire part of the knowledge management strategy and is of crucial importance for the smooth running of the company and its degree of competitiveness.
If this strategy is insufficient or marked by dysfunctions, the organization risks running into serious deficits in terms of know-how and skills.
Centralization of knowledge: easier accessibility for newcomers
In industry, knowledge is of two types: knowledge created within the organization and knowledge acquired from outside. In either case, they constitute a whole, an extremely valuable resource that the company must preserve and enhance.
From this perspective, the trend observed in recent years, which is destined to become more widespread in the coming years, is towards the centralization of this knowledge.
In other words, it is a matter of developing a system or platform that gathers all the useful information accumulated throughout the company’s activity, in an organized form (classified, categorized and hierarchical) to enable all employees to have the information they need to accomplish their mission.
This tool is more crucial for the training of newcomers, who thus have simplified access to data of all kinds (procedures, actions to be taken in the event of unforeseen events or incidents, elements relating to business life, etc.). Given the amount of information to be integrated, it is almost impossible to know everything by heart; centralized information support is one solution to this problem.
Such a system can take a variety of forms and concern all aspects of the company’s operations. For example, facilitating access to a FMECA-type tool (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis) provides new employees with a comprehensive overview of issues related to operational safety and quality management (through criticality, in this case). It thus helps them to be aware of the risks associated with a manufacturing process and likely to generate, among other things, non-conformities.
An effective support and a tool for valorization
The centralization of knowledge therefore provides a formidable support tool for new employees, who inevitably feel valued by having reliable, truly useful tools at their disposal and allowing them to gradually acquire greater autonomy. This encourages, in passing, the spirit of initiative, a lever for any company that wants to be dynamic and creative.
It also helps to create a sense of belonging because it involves a collaborative approach. Indeed, as they progress, newcomers can also make comments and, why not, suggest improvements. This is sometimes observed among the new generations, who are particularly comfortable with new technologies and may have a different perspective on how to produce.
Most company managers are aware of all these benefits on knowledge capital. However, the right approaches must be found to achieve these objectives.
The complexity attached to the centralization of the know-how is part of the challenges they have to meet.
About Picomto
Picomto is the European leading software of Digital Work Instructions. We help manufacturing companies to develop their performance by providing Paperless Documentation.
Leave A Comment