Domain knowledge is specialized understanding of an industry, business area, or subject. Its value depends on whether it helps people give relevant guidance, meet a specific need, or keep pace with changes in their field. section 2.5.1 section 10.2 section 15.9
Look for evidence that expertise fits the work and can be relied upon:
- Match skills to the organization’s actual needs; relevant experience matters more than a low price when selecting a vendor. section 10.2
- Test depth with practical exercises, and consider whether knowledge is shared well enough to maintain continuity if an expert is unavailable. section 10.2
- Capture team-specific knowledge in onboarding materials, a knowledge base, and documented processes so new members can use it. section 6.1.1
Choosing expertise for a need
A release team may need knowledge of its tools, such as Jenkins or SonarQube. When hiring outside help, assess whether the vendor’s skills match the work and use exercises to check its depth. section 6.1.1 section 10.2
