Supporting Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Digitally – with MILES
The biggest hurdle in knowledge transfer is the structured preparation and targeted distribution of knowledge – this is exactly where MILES comes in and makes this process significantly easier and more efficient.
Target audience: Organizational development, knowledge and quality managers, training managers, subject-matter experts, department heads
Introduction
Section titled “Introduction”Sustainable knowledge transfer is crucial for companies – especially in dynamic environments, with high staff turnover, complex processes, or globally distributed teams. However, knowledge transfer often fails due to a lack of structure, unclear responsibilities, missing documentation, and ultimately unsuitable digital tools.
MILES makes it possible to digitally map the core processes of professional knowledge transfer: from collecting critical knowledge to its ongoing, targeted provision and use, through to quality assurance and success monitoring.
This makes knowledge transfer plannable, scalable, transparent, and independent of individual knowledge holders.
Background
Section titled “Background”Knowledge is distributed throughout the organization – in documents, emails, chats, meeting notes, data collections, and above all in people’s heads in the form of experiential knowledge. This makes it difficult for other employees to benefit from it and entails risks: loss of know-how and efficiency, quality issues, time-consuming onboarding of new employees, etc.
Traditionally, knowledge transfer takes place:
- verbally and informally,
- without systematic structure,
- dependent on individual employees,
- poorly documented and therefore
- not measurable.
The Five Core Processes of Successful Knowledge Transfer
Section titled “The Five Core Processes of Successful Knowledge Transfer”Knowledge can only be applied if it is clearly identifiable, well structured, easy to find, and available at any time. MILES addresses these challenges by digitally supporting the five core processes of successful knowledge transfer:
- Identifying knowledge
- Capturing & documenting knowledge
- Sharing & conveying knowledge
- Applying knowledge
- Updating knowledge & optimizing transfer
By integrating all employees and enabling the easy creation of content in MILES, the individual effort remains low. Because only with minimal ongoing workload can knowledge transfer become a sustainable part of everyday business.
1. Identifying Knowledge
Section titled “1. Identifying Knowledge”Many companies are not even aware of what knowledge they have, because it lies “dormant” across the minds of their employees. This knowledge only becomes visible once it is digitally captured.
- Responsible roles define (critical) knowledge areas and map them in a custom structure (e.g. process or expert knowledge, lessons learned, etc.).
- Flexibly configurable target groups (e.g. QM, support, onboarding, etc.) are assigned relevant knowledge areas.
- Knowledge units can be created easily and without predefined structures – ideal for collecting knowledge with a low entry barrier.
- The platform supports multilingual use. Knowledge holders can therefore create input in their native language and then make it automatically available in multiple languages.
2. Capturing & Documenting Knowledge
Section titled “2. Capturing & Documenting Knowledge”Collecting and documenting knowledge makes it visible – and only visible knowledge can be “managed”.
- The integrated authoring tool enables ultra-fast creation of knowledge units without special prior knowledge. It supports the use of existing media via copy & paste and, in many cases, the import of entire documents.
- Templates ensure that knowledge is structured consistently.
- Content is created in modular form and can be reused multiple times in different knowledge areas.
- Detailed permissions protect the quality of knowledge units.
3. Sharing & Conveying Knowledge
Section titled “3. Sharing & Conveying Knowledge”Our platform ensures that knowledge becomes usable in everyday work – not only in the context of training.
- Knowledge units are combined into dynamically growing knowledge areas. With suitable metadata and AI support, this process is largely automated.
- Content is searchable and not bound to a chronological order – ideal for needs-based learning.
- Group chats enable exchange, discussion, and collective knowledge development.
4. Applying Knowledge
Section titled “4. Applying Knowledge”MILES prevents loss of know-how and increases employees’ confidence in action.
- Employees use knowledge situationally at the workplace – exactly when they need it.
- An AI tutor helps translate knowledge into action. It answers employees’ questions in a context-based manner, drawing on existing knowledge content.
- Content is available at any time, independent of device, and is suitable for preparation and/or follow-up of in-person formats.
- Knowledge units become onboarding or process guides that provide structured, practical guidance.
5. Updating Knowledge & Optimizing Transfer
Section titled “5. Updating Knowledge & Optimizing Transfer”Our platform identifies knowledge needs based on real usage. It creates a data foundation for knowledge AND delivers data for decision-making.
- Repetition of content promotes sustainable competence (micro-learning, lookup)
- Usage makes knowledge gaps visible (What are employees searching for?)
- Responsible roles gain measurability instead of gut feeling (Which topics are particularly relevant?) and can take targeted action.
- The modular content system reduces the effort required to create new or update outdated knowledge building blocks to a minimum.
Use Cases
Section titled “Use Cases”Internal knowledge transfer
Process and expert knowledge is captured in modular form and reused.
Onboarding & induction
New employees receive tailored onboarding and can access knowledge chronologically or on demand.
Quality & compliance
Mandatory trainings are assigned automatically and their completion is documented.
Support & troubleshooting
Knowledge collections on technical issues or processes enable quick access to solutions.
Supporting informal learning formats
Shadowing, tandem phases, and brown-bag sessions can be prepared and supported digitally.
Benefits & Challenges
Section titled “Benefits & Challenges”Benefits
Section titled “Benefits”- Complete digital mapping of all five core knowledge transfer processes
- Low-threshold content creation through an easy-to-use authoring tool
- Automated distribution of knowledge to target groups
- Device-independent and flexible access to company know-how
- Transparent usage analytics
- Continuous updating through modular structures
- Scalability through automatic translations and reusability of content
What still needs to be done?
Section titled “What still needs to be done?”- Initial structuring of relevant knowledge areas
- Introduction of new roles (e.g. responsible roles for knowledge areas)
- Ensuring regular quality reviews
Summary
Section titled “Summary”The MILES platform enables companies to design knowledge transfer systematically, digitally, and continuously. All five core processes of knowledge transfer are supported – from creation and distribution to use and updating.
The result is a living, dynamic knowledge ecosystem that empowers employees to learn faster, use knowledge with confidence, and retain it within the company long term.