Knowledge Accumulation Systems
A five-step framework for creating Corning-style institutional memory that preserves knowledge across decades.
A five-step framework for creating Corning-style institutional memory that preserves knowledge across decades. Addresses tenure extension, failure documentation, retiree access, multi-generational mentorship, and archival systems.
When to Use Knowledge Accumulation Systems
When your competitive advantage depends on accumulated knowledge, when you're past product-market fit and can afford 4-6 year tenure investments, when operating in stable markets where knowledge remains relevant 5+ years.
How to Apply
Extend tenure
Target 4-6 year average tenure in critical knowledge roles vs. 2-3 year typical
Questions to Ask
- Who, if they left, would cause serious disruption?
- What are current tenure and departure patterns for critical roles?
- What retention mechanisms extend to year 4-6?
Outputs
- Identified critical knowledge roles
- Retention program design
- Tenure tracking metrics
Preserve failures, not just successes
Document discontinued projects, failed experiments, approaches that didn't work
Questions to Ask
- What was tried?
- Why did it fail?
- What did we learn?
- What should NOT be tried next time?
Outputs
- Failure documentation template
- Searchable failure archive
- Project close-out requirements
Maintain access to retired knowledge holders
Keep retirees available for consultation on rare problems through consulting agreements
Questions to Ask
- What rare events has this person experienced?
- What solutions worked for unusual problems?
- What crisis knowledge should be extracted before departure?
Outputs
- Knowledge extraction interviews
- Consulting agreements
- Quarterly check-in calendar
Create multi-generational mentorship
3-5 year apprenticeships before independent work in critical knowledge roles
Questions to Ask
- Which roles require tacit knowledge and pattern recognition?
- What is the progression from observe to assisted to supervised to independent?
- How do we train seniors to mentor, not just delegate?
Outputs
- Apprenticeship structure by role
- Mentor training program
- Progression tracking system
Archive institutional memory
Preserve detailed records 20+ years, not just 5-10 years
Questions to Ask
- What do we currently preserve and for how long?
- What critical knowledge categories exist?
- What is our migration plan as systems change?
Outputs
- Long-term archive structure
- Retention policies by category
- Migration schedule