knowledgepreservation

Knowledge preservation refers to activities that ensure the long-term availability and usability of information, knowledge, and expertise for current and future users. It encompasses capturing, organizing, storing, maintaining, and providing access to knowledge assets across time.

It covers both explicit knowledge (documents, datasets, software, manuals) and tacit knowledge (know-how, expertise) through documentation, training, and knowledge transfer mechanisms. Practices include metadata creation, standardized formats, controlled vocabularies, and robust information governance.

Digital preservation is a key focus, addressing format obsolescence and media degradation through strategies such as regular migration to current formats, emulation of older software environments, preservation planning, and the use of persistent identifiers and metadata for discovery and integrity.

Organizational approaches include archiving systems, institutional repositories, knowledge bases, and continuity planning. In workplaces, knowledge preservation supports onboarding, compliance, risk management, and resilience against personnel turnover.

Tacit knowledge preservation relies on mentoring, communities of practice, after-action reviews, and documentation of workflows. Transfer can be gradual and facilitated by collaborative tools, storytelling, and succession planning.

Challenges include cost, governance, copyright and privacy considerations, data quality and provenance, and technological change. Sustainability of preservation initiatives depends on clear policies, funding, and ongoing stewardship.

Related concepts include knowledge management, digital preservation, archival science, and information governance. The field intersects libraries, archives, museums, academia, and industry.