Preserving Critical Knowledge in Chemical Manufacturing

A global chemical manufacturing company was facing a wave of retirements among experienced staff, raising concerns about business continuity and safety during plant operations. The loss of decades of operational knowledge was expected to significantly impact planned and emergency plant shutdowns, increasing time and reducing productivity.

APQC implemented knowledge transfer practices for three critical roles at risk of retirement. They conducted knowledge audits to identify essential plant maintenance information and developed a scalable knowledge transfer process through collaboration with subject matter experts and trainers. APQC partnered with the workforce development team to create a sustainable model for ongoing knowledge transfer, integrating it into work processes and development activities.

• Knowledge Elicitation and Transfer
• Knowledge Mapping
• Governance Model

The company expanded its knowledge transfer approach from a one-on-one exchange between Subject Matter Experts and Plant Operators to including documented knowledge in operational procedures. By utilizing a Knowledge Transfer Toolkit with standardized processes and tools, critical information was integrated into daily activities, improving operational efficiency and safety.

• Building internal competencies for knowledge capture and transfer ensures both short-term impact and long-term benefits.
• Regularly assessing critical roles at risk of attrition or retirement helps develop proactive knowledge transfer plans, avoiding last-minute issues.
• Using a proven toolkit based on cross-industry practices fosters trust and smooths adoption across the organization.