Guide to Identifying Knowledge Clusters

Instructions

The purpose of this questionnaire is to help you identify your critical skills and knowledge, especially those unique knowledges and skills that might be lost when you leave TVA.

Some things to think about as you work through these questions:

Knowledge or skill can mean several different things. We want to use a very broad definition that could include anything that new employees would need to know to do a job like yours (except for the exclusions noted below).
Do not include standard skills that are common to your particular job or that are assumed for a particular certification or degree (e.g., journeymen electricians are expected to be able to read a blueprint, etc.). If you’re not sure it is common, include it here.
Some of the questions will appear to ask the same thing several different ways. We do this on purpose to make sure we do not miss valuable information. When the answer is something you have already discussed, simply say so rather than repeat the information again.
When we ask you to describe or list things, give us a general description and not a detailed description. Don’t try to tell us how to do something. We will come back and gather this level of detail later. For now we are just trying to build lists to evaluate and prioritize.
For each major piece of knowledge, try to give us some sense of how important it is and how much trouble we may be in due to attrition. Tell us if the knowledge is written down somewhere or not, who knows it besides you, what would likely happen if no one knew this, how long it takes someone to learn it, etc.
The questions under section B will produce lists. In many cases these lists will already exist in job descriptions, training programs, PM procedures, and/or various databases. If so, simply refer to the appropriate source or list and tell us how to find it. In other words, there is no need to try to rewrite the list in the interview.

A. General Questions

What kinds of knowledge or skills do you now have that TVA will miss most when you leave?
If you had to leave TVA suddenly and only had one day left to brief your replacement, what would you put on your list of things to tell them.
Looking back, what things do you wish TVA had taught you early in your job that you eventually learned the hard way?
What are the key resources (procedures, manuals, etc.) that you use to do your job?
What pieces of knowledge are you most worried about “slipping through the cracks” when you leave?
Are there some important types of at-risk knowledge that take a long time for someone else to learn? What are they?
How did you learn the things you know? What were the critical training programs, work assignments, etc.? What's unique about your background compared to the typical employee in positions like yours?

B. Questions About Tasks

These questions tend to produce lists. Remember, there is no need to re-create lists that already exist.

How to test and maintain equipment. What are the types of equipment that you must know how to test, maintain, or repair? Produce lists or logical groupings of equipment along with the tasks associated with each type (e.g., installation, assembly/disassembly, test, conduct PM, diagnose and repair). If you were training new employees who will later replace you, how would you prioritize this list?
How to use special tools. What types of special tools must you know how to use to do your job? These would be tools that are unique to your type of work. If you were training new employees who will later replace you, how would you prioritize this list?
Operation of special equipment. What types of special equipment must you know how to operate to do your job (e.g., lifts, bucket trucks, cranes, test devices, etc.)? If you were training new employees who will later replace you, how would you prioritize this list?
Operation of system devices. What types of system operation tasks (energize, de-energize, switching, tag-out, isolation, etc.) must you master to do your job? If you were training new employees who will later replace you, how would you prioritize this list?

C. Questions About Facts or Information

Geographic information. Describe any special geographic information you may have about where things are located and how to get to particular locations. This includes the easiest way to get to locations. Also describe any such information that may be common to an experienced employee but would prove to be critical if not known by an inexperienced employee.
Inventories. Describe any special information you may have about the location or existence of spares, materials, tools, and equipment. Describe any such information that may be common to an experienced employee but would prove to be critical if not known by an inexperienced employee.
People facts. Describe any special information you may have about key contacts for expert advice, decisions, permissions, getting something processed or expedited. Describe any such information that would prove to be critical if not known by an inexperienced employee.
System equipment facts. Describe any special information you may have about where to locate maps, lists, drawings, vendor manuals, design data, calculations, etc. Describe any such information that would prove to be critical if not known by an inexperienced employee.
Vendor information. Describe any special information you may have about how to order parts, materials, services. Where and how to get equipment repaired, calibrated, etc. Describe any such information that would prove to be critical if not known by an inexperienced employee.

D. Questions About Pattern Recognition Knowledge

Complex troubleshooting and diagnosis. Describe or list any nonstandard (i.e., uncommon) knowledge that you possess or have developed about the diagnosis of complex problems. These often involve interaction among several pieces of system components. Name the pieces or types of equipment or describe the type of failure or fix.
Diagnosis shortcuts. Describe or list any special knowledge that you may have about specific pieces of equipment or unique pieces of equipment that would lead to rapid diagnosis of failure. Name the pieces or types of equipment or describe the type of failure or fix.
Predictive patterns. Describe or list any special knowledge you think you may have about patterns of equipment performance deterioration that predict major system failures. In other words, these are patterns that are not obvious and would easily be missed by inexperienced personnel. Are there different patterns for particular pieces of equipment? Are there things (sounds, readings, etc.) that might be thought to indicate a problem but are actually routine?
Failure patterns. Describe or list any special knowledge you may have about failure patterns for particular pieces of equipment that would lead you to do preemptive inspection or replacement. Name the pieces or types of equipment or describe the type of failure or fix. Are there any annual or seasonal patterns that are not obvious?
History of major errors. Describe any historical knowledge (lessons-learned) you have that might help avoid the repeat of a major error in the future. Describe the type of failure, related equipment, and time frame.