Part A – Knowledge Transfer (10 points):
Knowledge transfer refers to the process of sharing skills, experience, insights and information from one person or group to another within an organisation. It ensures that valuable expertise is not lost and that best practice can be replicated. This can happen formally, such as through training, mentoring, or documented procedures, or informally, through conversations, collaboration, and shared experiences. In procurement, knowledge transfer might involve senior buyers passing negotiation tactics to junior colleagues or documenting supplier performance insights in a shared database.
Part B – Ensuring Strong Knowledge Management (15 points):
Managers play a key role in creating systems and cultures that support knowledge sharing. Some ways include:
Creating knowledge repositories– using databases, intranets, or category management playbooks where information is stored and accessible to all team members.
Encouraging mentoring and coaching– pairing experienced staff with new employees helps transfer tacit knowledge that may not be written down.
Promoting collaboration and teamwork– cross-functional project teams and regular knowledge-sharing meetings spread expertise across functions.
Using technology– collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Teams) allow procurement staff to record supplier insights, lessons learned, and contract data in real time.
Rewarding knowledge sharing– recognising and incentivising individuals who share expertise encourages a culture of openness rather than knowledge hoarding.
Embedding learning in processes– after-action reviews, lessons-learned sessions after supplier negotiations or tenders ensure experiences are captured systematically.
Leadership behaviours– managers must role-model transparency and collaboration, showing staff that sharing knowledge is valued.
Conclusion:
Knowledge transfer is about ensuring that critical experience and expertise are shared across the organisation. Managers can ensure strong knowledge management by combining systems, processes, and culture – from IT tools and databases to mentoring and recognition. In procurement, effective knowledge management helps avoid repeated mistakes, builds stronger supplier relationships, and improves decision-making across the team.
