The seven (7) types of knowledge are as follows: Tacit Knowledge, Explicit Knowledge, Embedded Knowledge, Implicit Knowledge, Declarative Knowledge, Procedural Knowledge, and Strategic Knowledge.
However, three of them are often regarded as the main/common ones. Those three main types of knowledge include:
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Implicit Knowledge: Implicit knowledge refers to knowledge people apply automatically without conscious awareness.
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Explicit Knowledge: Explicit knowledge refers to knowledge that people document, store, and easily share using books, documents, or databases.
- Tacit Knowledge: Tacit knowledge refers to personal experience-based knowledge that people gain through practice and find difficult to explain or formalize.
Understanding the different types of knowledge helps organizations manage information more effectively and make better decisions. Each knowledge type plays a unique role in how individuals learn, collaborate, and solve problems within a business environment.
In this post, our goal is to guide you on all the various types so that you can share and manage organizational knowledge more effectively.
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge refers to the understanding, insights, and experience that individuals or organizations use to interpret information and make decisions. In knowledge management, knowledge goes beyond raw data or basic information.
Instead, knowledge represents a combination of:
- Experience
- Context
- Interpretation
- Expertise
- Practical application
Unlike data, which consists of raw facts, knowledge enables people to apply information to real-world situations
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A common way to understand this progression is through the DIKW model (Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom).
The DIKW Model
Level |
Description |
Example |
Data |
Raw facts with no context |
The numbers "60" and "70" |
Information |
Data interpreted with meaning |
These numbers represent two people's ages |
Knowledge |
Applying information to understand relationships |
The people are a father and son |
Wisdom |
Understanding deeper implications |
Knowing how to nurture their relationship |
This transformation from data to knowledge is a central concept in knowledge management (KM). Organizations that can convert raw information into actionable knowledge gain stronger decision-making capabilities and competitive advantages.
Types of Knowledge
Knowledge exists in several forms, each contributing differently to how organizations operate and innovate. Understanding these types helps businesses design systems that capture, store, and share knowledge effectively.
Below are seven common types of knowledge found within organizations.
1. Tacit Knowledge
Tacit knowledge refers to the skills, insights, and experiences that people carry in their minds but often find difficult to express or document. It develops through personal experience and practical involvement rather than formal instruction.
Because tacit knowledge is highly intuitive, it is usually transferred through observation, mentoring, and hands-on experience.
Examples of Tacit Knowledge
- A product manager predicting market trends based on experience
- A customer service representative calming frustrated customers
- A developer recognizing potential software bugs instinctively
- A team leader motivating employees during challenging projects
Organizations often struggle to capture tacit knowledge because it exists primarily in people's minds. Encouraging collaboration, mentorship, and documentation helps preserve this valuable expertise.
2. Explicit Knowledge
Explicit knowledge is knowledge that can be easily documented, stored, and shared. This type of knowledge is often written down in manuals, databases, reports, or formal training materials.
Because it is structured and documented, explicit knowledge is easier for organizations to manage and distribute.
Examples of Explicit Knowledge
- Employee training manuals
- Company policy documents
- Customer databases
- Standard operating procedures
- Instructional guides and reports
Explicit knowledge forms the foundation of many knowledge management systems because it can be stored in centralized repositories.
3. Embedded Knowledge
Embedded knowledge refers to knowledge that is built into organizational systems, processes, products, or company culture. Rather than existing as written documentation, this knowledge is reflected in how an organization operates.
Embedded knowledge often develops over time through repeated practice, experimentation, and organizational learning.
Examples of Embedded Knowledge
- A manufacturing process optimized through years of refinement
- A sales methodology developed through market experience
- Organizational culture and internal work routines
- Product design improvements based on customer feedback
- AI systems trained on large datasets to make predictions
Because embedded knowledge becomes part of how a company functions, it can be difficult to identify and extract. However, it plays a major role in shaping organizational performance.
4. Implicit Knowledge
Implicit knowledge refers to the understanding of unspoken rules and social dynamics within an organization. It often develops through experience and observation rather than formal training.
This knowledge helps employees navigate workplace relationships, communication patterns, and company culture.
Examples of Implicit Knowledge
- Understanding informal workplace expectations
- Knowing the best time to approach leadership with ideas
- Reading a client's reactions during a negotiation
- Recognizing workplace communication styles
Implicit knowledge is closely connected to tacit knowledge and is often learned through daily workplace interactions.
5. Declarative Knowledge
Declarative knowledge consists of factual information about concepts, systems, or processes. It focuses on understanding what something is rather than how to perform a task.
This type of knowledge helps establish organizational goals, definitions, and shared understanding across teams.
Examples of Declarative Knowledge
- Company mission statements
- Product specifications
- Definitions of target markets
- Industry terminology
- Features of software systems
Declarative knowledge is often documented and overlaps with explicit knowledge because it can be easily communicated.
6. Procedural Knowledge
Procedural knowledge focuses on how to perform tasks or processes. It represents the step-by-step instructions that allow employees to complete specific activities.
Organizations rely heavily on procedural knowledge to ensure consistent performance and maintain quality standards.
Examples of Procedural Knowledge
- Customer support workflows
- Software debugging processes
- Sales scripts used by sales teams
- Equipment maintenance procedures
Procedural knowledge is commonly documented within standard operating procedures or training materials.
7. Strategic Knowledge
Strategic knowledge involves understanding when and why certain actions should be taken. It supports decision-making at the organizational level and helps leaders determine the best course of action in different situations.
This type of knowledge combines experience, analysis, and contextual awareness.
Examples of Strategic Knowledge
- Deciding when to launch a product
- Determining the best market for expansion
- Adjusting marketing strategies based on consumer behavior
- Evaluating why past campaigns succeeded or failed
Strategic knowledge is critical for guiding long-term organizational growth and competitive positioning.
The Impact of Knowledge Management
Effective knowledge management depends on understanding how these different knowledge types function within an organization. Each type requires different strategies for capturing, organizing, and sharing information.
Knowledge management systems and knowledge management software help organizations manage these knowledge types more effectively.
Below are examples of how organizations manage different types of knowledge.
Explicit and Declarative Knowledge
These types of knowledge are easier to manage because they can be documented and stored in knowledge repositories. The main challenge involves ensuring the information remains accurate, accessible, and regularly updated.
Tacit Knowledge
Tacit knowledge requires organizations to focus on collaboration and communication. Mentorship programs, collaborative platforms, and internal communities help employees share personal expertise.
Embedded Knowledge
Managing embedded knowledge often involves analyzing workflows, processes, and organizational culture. Technology can help map and document these systems without disrupting operations.
Implicit Knowledge
Implicit knowledge is often shared through workplace interaction and open communication. Encouraging collaboration and informal discussion helps employees transfer this knowledge naturally.
Procedural Knowledge
Procedural knowledge benefits from strong documentation and centralized repositories. Knowledge management systems allow organizations to store procedures and keep them up to date.
Strategic Knowledge
Strategic knowledge is often supported by data analysis tools and collaboration platforms that help leaders interpret information and make informed decisions.
Wrap Up
Understanding the different types of knowledge is essential for building a strong knowledge management strategy. Each type contributes to how organizations learn, innovate, and make decisions.
By recognizing how tacit, explicit, procedural, and strategic knowledge interact, businesses can create systems that capture and share valuable expertise more effectively.
If you're looking to improve your organization's knowledge management capabilities, Helpjuice’s knowledge base software provides a powerful platform for storing, organizing, and sharing knowledge across your team.
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