Capturing Knowledge for Software Projects

I just read Toward a Practical Solution for Capturing Knowledge for Software Projects, and honestly, it nailed something I’ve seen over and over: We don’t usually lose knowledge because someone forgot. We lose it because no one captured it while it still mattered.

This paper lays out a simple idea: instead of writing up documentation later, try embedding key knowledge into the work itself. Things like adding reasoning to requirements, linking decision notes to test plans, capturing “why we didn’t do that” right next to the final design.

It’s not just for software. Any project with shifting teams, changing tools, or fast-moving decisions can benefit from this. It reminded me how much time gets wasted rehashing decisions or repeating mistakes, all because the context disappeared.

Have you tried embedding knowledge into live work instead of saving it for after-action reviews? What worked? What didn’t?

Click here to read the article on academia.edu