The correct answer is A (tacit knowledge) because, within the NCMA Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK), tacit knowledge refers to personal, experience-based knowledge that is difficult to formally document or articulate . It includes insights, intuition, judgment, and skills developed through practice and real-world interaction.
Effective communication skills—especially those used to avoid risk, resolve conflict, and manage stakeholder relationships —are often based on tacit knowledge. These skills are not typically learned solely through formal education or written procedures; instead, they are developed over time through experience, observation, and interpersonal engagement. For example, knowing how to adjust tone, anticipate reactions, or de-escalate tension in a negotiation is a form of tacit knowledge.
Option D ( explicit knowledge ) refers to knowledge that can be easily documented, such as policies, procedures, or manuals. Option C ( procedural knowledge ) involves step-by-step processes, while Option B ( strategic knowledge ) relates to high-level planning and decision-making.
CMBOK emphasizes that successful contract managers rely on both explicit and tacit knowledge. However, tacit knowledge is especially important in areas like communication, negotiation, and relationship management, where human interaction and judgment play a critical role in reducing risk and achieving successful contract outcomes.