30‑Day Capture Sprint — Fast experiment to preserve critical knowledge

Run this simple sprint to convert fragile knowledge into working guidance. Aim small: focus on 3–6 high-value tasks and prove the process over 30 days.

Roles

• Owner: sponsor who selects target tasks (manager).
• Cultivator: runs interviews and coordinates capture activities.
• Curator: edits, formats, and posts final guidance.

Week-by-week plan

1. Week 1 — Discover and prioritize
   • Run the Knowledge Loss Audit (see next item) and pick 3–6 tasks to capture.
   • Schedule interviews and assign roles.
2. Week 2 — Capture
   • Run 30–45 minute story interviews for each target task. Record with permission.
   • Collect artifacts and links during interviews.
3. Week 3 — Codify
   • Curator turns interview notes into a 1–2 page how‑to, a checklist, and an artifact index.
   • Share drafts with owners for quick review.
4. Week 4 — Validate and onboard
   • Run paired sessions or observed runs with new owners.
   • Collect quick feedback and finalize documents.
   • Measure 30-day success metrics (e.g., number of observed successful runs, reduction in questions about the task).

Quick success metrics

• Number of tasks captured and published.
• Number of successful observed runs by a backup person.
• New hire or backup ramp time for target tasks (baseline vs. 30 days).

Tips

• Keep outputs short and usable — 1–2 pages for each task.
• Make review rounds brief (48 hours) to keep momentum.
• Celebrate small wins publicly to build cultural momentum.