Why do organizations know more than they understand?

Current position — May 2026

What I used to believe. I thought the organizational knowledge problem was mainly one of storage, search, and access.

What changed my mind. I saw organizations where every fact existed, yet the facts never formed a shared picture. Each department understood a different part of reality.

Where I stand today. An organization does not lack knowledge. It lacks a shared representation of what it knows.

What still does not sit right with me. Can we create shared understanding without erasing disagreement, local expertise, and uncertainty?