Explicit knowledge is usually recorded in some form, such as a data base, document or other media. It is latent until transformed and applied to support decision making. Then it is considered information, as opposed to raw data. Tacit knowledge usually is not recorded. It consists of ideals, values, experiences and actions that tend to be more personal.
Tacit knowledge is communicated by word of mouth and shared experiences.
Common examples include corporate culture, organizational politics and professional experience. The effort made by organizations to develop, control, apply and leverage explicit and tacit knowledge is called knowledge management. Knowledge management makes use of the organizational structure, personnel and all other resources, including policies, procedures, processes and automated systems. In very small agencies, explicit and tacit knowledge are relatively easy to manage. Explicit knowledge is usually centralized and readily available.