Knowledge Elicitation and Learning to Transfer Expertise Between Generations of Naval Intelligence Analysts

摘要

This study seeks to address the problem of how to transfer expertise between generations of Naval intelligence analysts. Expertise refers to the tacit and explicit knowledge that senior analysts call upon to perform intelligence analysis. Transfer refers to the process of 'passing on' knowledge from senior analysts to those who will replace them. Transfer also refers to adaptive expertise where a new generation of analysts apply their freshly- learned knowledge in flexible and creative ways. Lessons are drawn from the literature on knowledge management, the science of learning, human information processing, and experience from selected knowledge preservation projects in government organizations. These lessons are used to construct a model of knowledge preservation, building on a simplified model of knowledge transfer derived from the concepts of logical depth and exformation. A three-pronged model, based on how long senior analysts are available to work face-to-face with their replacements, emerges from this approach. A case is made to adopt a story- centered approach to learning. Ideas for putting this model into action at the Office of Naval Intelligence are presented. The practical issues of cost, schedule, and cultural acceptance are addressed.