Tacit knowledge, known as “tribal knowledge” in tech, is widespread in the industry. Documentation is often neglected and is frequently incorrect or incomplete. New hires learn by doing and rely on others for information. This reliance on tacit knowledge is efficient but becomes problematic when the person with the knowledge is unavailable. Tacit knowledge is shared within the tribe through rituals like video calls and chats, but this breaks down as the company scales. Timezones and busy schedules make it difficult to get timely answers. This reliance on tacit knowledge slows down productivity and hampers company growth. Reading documentation and watching videos is faster than relying on others for help. Creating a library of information through documentation and videos strikes a balance between efficiency and scalability.
https://er4hn.info/blog/2023.08.26-tacit-knowledge-dangerous/