KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PLAN

Directions:
Knowledge Transfer Plans should be developed for knowledge and skills identified (in Step 1) as the most critical. Plans
may include both (1) methods to retain the critical knowledge and skills, and (2) actions necessary to mitigate the negative
impact of losing the knowledge and skills.
(1) Methods:
There are a variety of methods to address impending loss of critical knowledge and skills. These include:

Education & Coaching

Job Shadowing
On the Job Training (OJT)
Training
Mentoring Partnerships
Process Re-engineering
Best Practices Meetings
Lessons Learned Reviews

Documentation and Codification

Job Aids
Knowledge Maps
Process Documentation
Document Repositories
Expert Systems
Expert Interviews and Video

Alternative or Shared Resources

Job Rotation
Returned Retirees
Communities of Practice
Story Telling

Knowledge Transfer Methods

(2) Actions:
Once you have identified the best method that best fits the type of knowledge to be transferred and the work environment,
the next step is to identify steps which will be taken to retain this critical knowledge or skill and/or minimize the impact of
its loss. Please note: It may be necessary to use more than one method to transfer the critical knowledge. See sample
knowledge transfer plan below:

SAMPLE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PLAN

Employee: ______________________

Position: __________________________

Please select
Position Risk Factor (Rating Scale of 1-5) _________

Summary and Situation Assessment:

At-Risk
Knowledge or Skill

Knowledge
Criticality Score
[High Priority
Priority
High Importance
Important-]

Method(s)

Actions
List steps which can and will
be taken to transfer/retain
critical knowledge or minimize
the impact of its loss

Mary is designer of - and

expert on - client
database (in Microsoft
Access)

High Priority

Process
Documentation
Training / OJT

Develop up-to-date
documentation of
database
Complete MS Access
training
Mary cross-train Mike on
database
All Include these
activities in Performance
Management Plan

Target Date
For
Completion

Status

July 30
July 30
Sept. 30
By quarterly
review

Next
Steps
TBD

Please use and modify knowledge transfer plan template below.

2

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PLAN TEMPLATE

Employee: ______________________

Position: __________________________

Please select
Position Risk Factor (Rating Scale of 1-5) _________

Summary and Situation Assessment:

At-Risk
Knowledge or Skill

Knowledge
Criticality Score
[High Priority
Priority
High Importance
Important-]

Method(s)

Plan prepared by: __________________________

Reviewed by:
__________________________

Target
Actions
Date
List steps which can and will
For
be taken to transfer/retain
Completion
critical knowledge or minimize
the impact of its loss

Status

Date: ___________
Date: ___________

Additional Notes or Coordination Needed: