Okay so before I retired I was one of the most knowledgeable people in the group even though I wasn't in my specific role for that long (and only with the company about 10 years. When the workload got stupid in more ways than one (amount and types of requests) with a young pup boss that wouldn't manage it, I started answering with things like:
- "I don't know about now, but back when I started, we did x, though that might not be relevant now" (insert story of the length you want to tell. Bonus points if it is funny). Note: I am in my 30s, but this was SOOO FUN! I totally could have had an onion tied to my belt because it was the style at the time. I had been around long enough and in enough groups that I had stories about people that had been laid off three layoffs ago, and they had worked for the company 35 years.
- Or relatedly "I heard that back in the day they did it for this reason, but xx told me this, back when they worked with the company. You know, politics" Then go into company politics from 20 years ago.
I do love a good story though and it would be so sad to see some of these good company stories to die. It was my time to pass them on and I had a captive audience. :D.
Other things I used were also:
"Hmm, I vaguely remember something about that but don't know off the top of my head. If you can't get the info any other way, why don't you come back (insert time, like next week or in a few day) and we can hash our way through it and figure it out." This really works if they need it on a shorter timeline or have someone else to ask. They know if they want it from me, it was going to take time and probably involve memory lane.
Relatedly "I might have some documents on that, but I'd have to dig them out. Might be easier to ask x (or check the server)."
Some quick liners I have used, like in meetings. These mostly work if you don't take yourself too seriously.
- that is going to take some mental dredging up before I have an answer, you might want to check elsewhere.
- I might have some old emails on it, but it will take time to check (depends on your company email/document policy)
- Oh sorry, I core dumped all that information after the project ended, sorry (sometimes working with scientists rocks)
- not sure, but you can check the archive/notebooks (yah scientists)
- Uh, I have some idea, but nothing I'd want to put my guarantee on since it has been a while.
- Oh, it might, maybe, be something, like this, but you really should get a double check, seriously (breeds confidence)
