Knowledge retention framework and maturity model: improving an organization or team’s capability to retain critical knowledge

Knowledge retention (KR) can be considered a broad practice within the larger field of knowledge management (KM). KM has many frameworks and maturity models to support itself, and by correlation, knowledge retention has an opportunity to create frameworks and maturity models. Following a peer-reviewed process, Rocio and John offer their thoughts and experiences drawn from their efforts to create a knowledge retention framework and a knowledge retention maturity model. The framework aims to create a shared definition for knowledge retention, and the maturity model aims to create an approach for assessing a team or organization’s knowledge retention maturity. The maturity model outlines steps to increase the maturity of knowledge retention, based on data and evidence to support action. Overall, this paper presents a vision of an ecosystem in which knowledge retention is institutionalized practice, embedded in everyone’s tasks and part of the way we work.