NASA manages its technical and program/project management knowledge in order to continuously improve performance in implementing its mission.  NASA’s Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and overseeing the standards and capabilities that support knowledge sharing and workforce development.  The CKO also provides a central focus for knowledge integration and knowledge continuity across all NASA programs, projects, and centers.   

NASA’s approach to knowledge management is centered on critical knowledge: knowledge that is essential for the agency to carry out its mission and make well-informed decisions.  Typically gained through individual or organizational experience, this knowledge isn’t easily replaceable, and it must be maintained in order to achieve mission success.  NASA’s knowledge management strategy prioritizes critical knowledge and a federated approach to knowledge management so that the context in which knowledge is obtained informs its long-term application.      

Lessons learned represent a significant facet of critical knowledge for NASA, and the CKO and the NASA knowledge community work together to facilitate the dissemination and promote the infusion and utilization of lessons learned and best practices, develop and share actionable methodologies, and maintain NASA’s Lessons Learned Information System and other relevant systems.  

NASA’s approach to knowledge management is outlined in NASA’s Knowledge Policy for Programs and Projects (NPD 7120.6).   
 
 

NASA’s Knowledge Community 

NASA’s knowledge community is a dynamic group of practitioners dedicated to facilitating the capture, storage, reuse, and sharing of knowledge across the agency. This community includes Mission Directorate and Center Chief Knowledge Officers (CKOs) and knowledge management points of contact (POCs) and knowledge services leads from other NASA organizations. 

Center and Mission Directorate CKOs and knowledge management POCs facilitate the capture and sharing of corporate knowledge; serve as advocates for the knowledge needs of their respective organizations; and support the Agency CKO to ensure the effective planning and implementation of the Agency’s knowledge policy.  

In accordance with NASA Policy Directive 7120.6 and at the recommendation of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), the community convenes for annual in-person and quarterly remote meetings for the purpose of promoting greater Agency integration and collaboration. These meetings are vital for: 

• Sharing leading practices 

• Deepening understanding of lessons learned and their impact on mission success and failure 

• Learning from industry partners 

• Collaborating on agency-wide problem-solving 

Explore Knowledge Services 

Knowledge Capture and Transfer 

The following resources help NASA leaders and teams take steps to build a culture that connects employees to knowledge when they join a team and that retains the critical knowledge held by experienced personnel in advance of retirement or other transitions.  These resources have been developed by NASA Center and Mission Directorate Chief Knowledge Officers and the APPEL Knowledge Services team based on the recommendations of NASA’s Knowledge Capture and Transfer Working Group, which was chartered by the Agency’s Chief Knowledge Officer. The Working Group was convened between January and September of 2021, and the Ensuring Knowledge Continuity during Employee Transitions: NASA Knowledge Capture and Transfer Working Group Report was compiled and shared in December 2021. 

Developing a Knowledge Management Plan 

Knowledge Transfer 

After Action Review or Pause and Learn 

Continuity Book Template 

Knowledge Continuity Guide for Supervisors 

Knowledge Continuity Guide for Incoming Employees 

Knowledge Continuity Guide for Departing Employee 

Task Documentation Template 

Task Documentation Example 

NASA Knowledge Management Competencies 

NASA’s Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) community shares responsibility for maintaining NASA’s critical knowledge in alignment with NASA’s Knowledge Policy for Programs and Projects (NPD 7120.6). The CKO community encompasses a diverse range of experience and expertise across an array of disciplines; however, members maintain common skills that can be leveraged to support knowledge sharing, knowledge continuity, and knowledge transfer for the benefit of their organizations and teams. 

This list of knowledge management competencies provides a descriptive approach to help promote understanding and awareness of the services, value, and opportunities afforded by the CKO community, and to provide a common language among CKOs and stakeholders to support NASA’s mission. 

NASA Knowledge Management Competencies