Tacit vs. Tribal Knowledge: The Hidden Risk in Manufacturing
August 29, 2025
Tacit vs. Tribal Knowledge
Manufacturing leaders often use the term “tribal knowledge” to describe know-how that isn’t written down. But there’s a key distinction—one that can mean the difference between minor disruption and major productivity loss.
Tribal knowledge: Informal practices, tips, and shortcuts passed between employees.
Tacit knowledge: The deeper intuition, reasoning, and pattern recognition built through years of experience—the “why” behind the “how.”
This distinction sits at the center of today’s manufacturing knowledge gap. The white paper, Tacit Knowledge: Manufacturing’s Missing Link, explores why capturing tacit knowledge is critical for leaders navigating a shrinking skilled workforce.
Why It Matters for Leaders
When tacit knowledge disappears, companies don’t just lose expertise; they undermine their technology investments. ERP, MES, and even AI are only as strong as the knowledge feeding them. Without the “why,” data alone can’t drive productivity.
When tactic knowledge is gone, companies face:
Longer onboarding and training cycles as new hires lack the “why” behind processes.
Safety and quality risks when shortcuts replace true expertise.
Underperforming technology investments in ERP, MES, and AI because the most critical data is missing.
One manufacturer described it this way:
“In the past, we often had to call people that don’t work here anymore… With Murray, that problem is now in the past.”
A New Approach: Capturing Tacit Knowledge with Murray Mentor™
This is where Murray Mentor™ comes in. Murray is an AI-powered, in-ear mentor that captures and delivers tacit knowledge in real time — turning decades of experience into practical, on-the-job guidance.
Leaders using Murray report:
Downtime cut from 15 minutes to 30 seconds
Elimination of “repeat mistakes” caused by forgotten fixes
Faster onboarding, higher retention, and improved training certification rates
It’s like having your best technician available 24/7, ready to guide newer employees through setup, troubleshooting, or maintenance — no binders, no waiting, no lost production.
The Bottom Line
Manufacturing’s biggest productivity lever isn’t just more automation or more sensors. It’s making sure the tacit knowledge of today’s experts doesn’t vanish tomorrow.
Want to explore how tacit knowledge sits at the heart of manufacturing’s next wave of productivity?
Read our follow-up: Beyond the Data Rainbow: Unlocking Manufacturing’s Hidden Knowledge