Knowledge Hoarding
Knowledge hoarding is an anti-pattern in software development and organizational culture where individuals or teams intentionally withhold information, expertise, or documentation from others. It involves keeping critical knowledge siloed rather than sharing it openly, often to maintain perceived job security, control, or power. This practice can lead to bottlenecks, reduced collaboration, and increased risk for projects when key personnel are unavailable.
Developers should learn about knowledge hoarding to recognize and avoid this detrimental behavior in their teams, as it undermines agile principles, knowledge transfer, and organizational resilience. Understanding it is crucial for fostering a culture of transparency and continuous learning, especially in distributed or fast-paced environments where shared knowledge prevents single points of failure. Addressing knowledge hoarding helps improve onboarding, reduce bus factor risks, and enhance overall team productivity.