KM / Knowledge Exit Interview Question Bank

Purpose

• Use and adapt these questions directly in interview sessions
• Not all questions are required for every role

Scope

• This question bank is intended to be used alongside the core Knowledge Exit Interview process and adapted to local KM and governance practices

User

• Knowledge Management (Facilitator)
• Departing Staff Member (Subject Matter Expert)
• Manager / Asset Owner / Group Leader
• Successor / Backup (if available)

Questions

1. Role & Evolution

• How has this role changed since you first took it on?
• What parts of your job would surprise a new hire?

 

2. Core Work & Processes

• Walk me through a typical week.
• Which processes are most critical during peak academic periods?
• What steps are skipped or adjusted under pressure?

 

3. Systems & Tools

• Which systems do you rely on most, and why?
• What system behaviors are “normal but undocumented”?
• Where are credentials, configs, or access paths fragile?

 

4. Tacit & Tribal Knowledge

• What do people come to you for that isn’t in documentation?
• What mistakes did you make early on that others should avoid?
• What signals tell you something is about to go wrong?

 

5. Decision-Making

• What decisions require experience rather than policy?
• When rules conflict, how do you decide what wins?
• What decisions would you not want automated?

 

6. Risk & Continuity

• What would worry you if no one filled this role for 60 days?
• Where is there hidden technical or political risk?

 

7. Relationships & Influence

• Who are your go-to people when things get stuck?
• Which relationships are critical but informal?

 

8. Improvement & Advice

• If you were starting over, what would you do differently?
• What advice would you give your successor in their first 90 days?
• What should leadership understand better about this role?