Key Features and Guides

Knowledge Retention Index (KRI)

The Knowledge Retention Index (KRI) measures the potential impact on business continuity if a highly skilled team member leaves or becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.

How It Works

KRI is triggered when:

  1. The difference between the skill levels of the most skilled and second most skilled team members is 2 or greater.
  2. The skill's importance is rated at 3 or higher.

The formula for calculating KRI is:
(Difference in Skill Level) × (Skill Importance)

Why It Matters

KRI highlights overreliance on a single "superstar" team member, which can pose significant risks to performance and production. While in many cases this may be unavoidable, understanding this reliance helps:

  • Identify critical skills and team vulnerabilities.
  • Measure the overall risk across the company.
  • Proactively mitigate risks where it makes sense.

Real-World Example

If a team’s top performer has a skill level of 5 in a critically important skill (importance = 4) and the next most skilled member has a level of 2, the KRI is calculated as:
(5 - 2) × 4 = 12

A higher KRI score indicates a greater risk to the team and organization.

Benefits of Monitoring KRI

  • Gain a bigger picture of knowledge gaps and risks across teams.
  • Make informed decisions about training, succession planning, and skill distribution.
  • Avoid operational disruptions caused by unexpected departures.

By measuring KRI, the NextKS Framework empowers organizations to balance risk and ensure business continuity in critical areas.