Capturing and using the collective wisdom of project teams is even harder.
Most companies keep a list of experts in an employee skills database.
Although a few companies capture this data during the new-hire orientation process, most collect it after the fact. Sadly, unless employees see a clear benefit, such as extra income through more billable hours, they rate the task as a low priority. Mark Mazzie, chief knowledge officer of Barnett International, a consulting firm that services the pharmaceutical industry, recalls one company that asked each employee to provide a bio, listing experience that might be valuable on future projects. Employees who hadn't complied after two or three pay periods received a pay envelope with a reminder instead of a check. They soon prepared a bio in exchange for their paycheck.