Field notes

Research and plain-English guides for government administrators.

On institutional knowledge capture, workforce transitions, and the real cost of letting what your senior employees know walk out the door.

How to Calculate the Real Cost of Losing a Senior Government Employee

Most agencies only count recruiting costs. The real number — productivity loss, knowledge-gap errors, contractor bridges — can exceed $100,000 per departure. Here is how to calculate it.

May 20, 2026

What Is the Silver Tsunami — and What Does It Mean for Your Agency?

The phrase has been in government workforce conversations for a decade. Here is what it actually means, why government gets hit harder than the private sector, and what a real response looks like.

May 20, 2026

5 Signs Your Department Is a Knowledge Cliff Waiting to Happen

Most knowledge crises do not announce themselves. The signs are visible before the crisis — if you know what to look for. Here are five indicators your department is at risk.

May 20, 2026