stillingskunnskap

Stillingskunnskap is a term used in human resources and organizational development to describe the knowledge required to perform a specific job or position. It covers both the explicit know-how found in procedures and manuals and the tacit understanding gained through practice. The concept focuses on the information, methods, and routines essential for carrying out the duties of a particular role within a given organizational context. Stillingskunnskap includes knowledge about tasks and responsibilities, workflows, tools and systems, safety and regulatory requirements, quality standards, and the organization’s policies and culture. It is differentiated from general competence or professional expertise in that it is tied to a specific position rather than to a broader skill set.

Applications include shaping job descriptions, defining recruitment criteria, designing onboarding and training programs, and aligning performance management with the actual demands of the role. It also supports workforce planning and succession by clarifying what a person must know to be effective in that role. Assessment of stillingskunnskap can involve on-the-job observations, practical tests, certifications, and evaluation of work outcomes.

Terminology varies by sector and country. In Norwegian HR literature the term is sometimes used interchangeably with stillingskompetanse or fagkunnskap, but with distinctions in focus. Stillingskunnskap remains a useful organizing principle for ensuring that role-specific knowledge supports safe, efficient, and compliant work.