What is knowledge?
Before diving into the seven types of knowledge, it's important to first define what we mean by "knowledge." In simple terms, knowledge refers to the collection of information, facts, skills, and understanding a person acquires through education, experience, and reasoning.
In the context of the workplace, a company's success is often determined by the quality and accessibility of its knowledge, as well as how effectively that knowledge is shared. Studies have shown that knowledge sharing plays a key role in enhancing creativity, driving innovation, and improving the overall performance of businesses around the world.
The 7 types of knowledge
1. Explicit knowledge
Explicit knowledge refers to information that is easy to document, organize, and share, often in written form. It encompasses structured data and can be systematically communicated on a large scale. When properly managed, explicit knowledge helps companies make informed decisions, save time, and boost performance.
Traditionally, explicit knowledge has been captured in knowledge bases or as part of knowledge management strategies. This type of knowledge is formalized and can be used to complete tasks, guide decision-making, or educate an audience.
Examples of explicit knowledge
include FAQs, instructions, raw data and reports, diagrams, one-pagers, and strategy presentations. These resources are typically stored in a knowledge base, making them accessible for employees to reference and share.
2. Implicit knowledge
Implicit knowledge refers to the skills and know-how that come from applying explicit knowledge in real-world situations. While explicit knowledge might be a book on the mechanics of flight or a diagram of an airplane cockpit, implicit knowledge is the practical understanding gained when you actually fly the plane using that information.
This type of knowledge is acquired through experience and learning the most effective way to perform a task. Once gained, it can be combined with other knowledge to tackle new challenges.
Unlike explicit knowledge, implicit knowledge is harder to document and scale, which is why it is often left out of formal knowledge bases. To incorporate it, consider this: “What did I learn from my experience, would it be valuable to others, and how can I explain it clearly?”
Examples of Implicit Knowledge
Although implicit knowledge is harder to document, it includes abilities such as a person's skill in prioritizing tasks or managing multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.
3. Tacit knowledge
Tacit knowledge refers to intangible information that is often difficult to express clearly, such as things that are "understood" without being explicitly stated. It is typically personal, cultural, and gained through experience over time, applying to specific situations. This type of knowledge is informal and can be challenging to articulate.
When tacit knowledge can be captured, it should be added to a knowledge base to make it easier to share valuable expertise with others who may need it.
Examples of Tacit Knowledge
Tacit knowledge is hard to transfer and often cannot be stored in traditional formats. For instance, a salesperson’s ability to sense the right moment to pitch during a meeting combines experience, reading social cues, and other personal insights.
Since tacit knowledge is acquired through experience, companies can help employees strengthen it by sharing techniques and tips for handling specific scenarios. An example might be a list of phrases that sales leads should listen for when dealing with customer complaints. By being prepared with possible conversation outcomes, salespeople can better understand how to "read" and address a situation.
4. Declarative knowledge
Declarative knowledge, also known as propositional knowledge, refers to factual information and static details specific to a particular subject, which can be easily accessed and recalled. It involves an individual's conscious awareness of their understanding of the topic at hand.
This type of knowledge is often stored in documents or databases and primarily addresses the 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' and 'when' aspects of information, while focusing less on the 'how' or 'why.' When documented, declarative knowledge forms the foundation for understanding a subject and can assist organizations in improving the sharing of procedural and explicit knowledge.
Examples of Declarative Knowledge
An example of declarative knowledge is an individual knowing the company's goals for the year. They may also understand how their performance will be evaluated by reading the company newsletter, which shares these goals and performance metrics with the team.
5. Procedural knowledge
Procedural knowledge centers on the "how" of how things work, emphasizing the ability to perform tasks or carry out actions. Unlike declarative knowledge, which addresses the "who, what, where, or when," procedural knowledge is less verbalized and is typically demonstrated through action or recorded in manuals.
Examples of Procedural Knowledge
An example of procedural knowledge is a standard operating procedure (SOP) outlining the steps for completing specific tasks or using certain equipment within an organization.
6. A Posteriori knowledge
A posteriori knowledge is a subjective form of knowledge gained through personal experience. Although it is not typically documented in a company’s knowledge base, it plays a crucial role in the success of teams. This type of knowledge allows individuals to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, which arise from their past experiences, and helps organizations build a more diverse skill set within their teams.
Examples of A Posteriori Knowledge
Since a posteriori knowledge comes from individual experiences, examples include an individual's ability to lead teams based on previous management roles or their skill in de-escalating tense situations, developed through past encounters.
7. A Priori knowledge
A priori knowledge is the opposite of a posteriori knowledge, as it is acquired independently of experience or evidence. This type of knowledge is often developed through logical reasoning or abstract thinking. While a priori knowledge may not always be formally documented, it is typically demonstrated in a team's ability to understand and reason through situations as they arise.
Examples of A Priori Knowledge
Examples of a priori knowledge include an individual's natural aptitude for mathematics or logical reasoning, where they can easily understand and interpret information without the need for additional explanation.