Experience - the neglected success factor in enterprises?

The effective use of experience as a valuable resource can give companies a competitive edge in a world characterised by an ageing workforce and globalisation. An online survey was conducted in Austria, Germany and Switzerland to find out managers’ attitudes towards experience and if and how they capture, use and disseminate it. The results show that the majority consider experience an important asset, but do not actually support it in any systematic way. Company size and position rather than age or gender play a role when it comes to preferences, attitudes or practices. The survey shows great discrepancies between methods considered useful vs. those in regular use. Besides, there is a preference for classical people-oriented methods rather than modern IT-supported methods. Integrating experience management into project and process management practice may help overcome current barriers and reservations.