Transition Intelligence Project

Economic Navigation
Research Initiative

Documenting how people navigate career, income, retirement, and life transitions across seven population groups to build the first Economic Navigation Dataset of its kind.

7
Transition Populations
25
Research Goal
5
Navigation Patterns
1
Unified Framework
Research Question
What are we trying to prove?
Core Research Hypothesis
"Different people appear to have different problems. Many are actually struggling with the same underlying challenge: navigating economic transitions without a navigation system."
A laid off logistics worker, a pre-retiree approaching 62, a returning caregiver, and an AI-displaced knowledge worker may all appear to need different interventions. The Transition Intelligence Project tests whether the underlying navigation challenges including identity disruption, financial uncertainty, decision paralysis, and lack of trusted guidance are in fact remarkably similar across groups. If confirmed, this finding validates the Economic Navigation Infrastructure thesis behind Know Degree Needed® and establishes the need for a unified navigation system rather than population-specific programs.
Study Participants
Seven transition populations.
The research includes participants across seven distinct transition groups. Each group experiences transitions differently on the surface. The research asks whether the navigation challenges beneath the surface are the same.
Group 01
Career Transitioners
Changing occupations, industries, or professional direction. Often facing identity questions alongside practical navigation challenges.
IdentityDirectionSkills
Group 02
Pre-retirees
Navigating the years between full engagement and financial independence. The chasm between 57 and 65 when work no longer fits but Social Security is still years away.
FinancialIdentityPurpose
Group 03
Retirees
Already retired and navigating the adjustment from structured work life to an unstructured next chapter.
PurposeStructureIncome
Group 04
Restless Retirees
Retired but seeking purpose, income, contribution, or a meaningful second act. Not done. Just done with the first chapter.
ContributionIncomeReinvention
Group 05
Workforce Reentry
Returning after caregiving, illness, incarceration, or military service. Navigating skill gaps, confidence gaps, and system gaps simultaneously.
ReentryConfidenceSystems
Group 06
Displaced Workers
Responding to layoffs, automation, AI disruption, or economic shocks. Often navigating financial urgency alongside identity disruption at the same time.
UrgencyDisruptionStability
Group 07
Employers
Organizations navigating workforce transitions including retirements, succession gaps, AI adoption, and talent shortages. Employers are navigating transitions too.
SuccessionRetentionAI Adoption
Methodology
How the research works.
1
Structured Survey
A 17-question anonymous survey captures participant profile, current transition type, navigation challenges, guidance sources, confidence levels, and future outlook. One survey across all seven groups enables cross-population comparison.
2
Follow-up Interviews
Willing participants are invited to a 15 to 20 minute remote interview to explore their navigation experience in depth. Interviews surface the stories behind the survey data.
3
Pattern Analysis
Responses are analyzed across transition groups to identify recurring patterns in navigation challenges, decision barriers, trusted guidance sources, and forward movement triggers.
4
Intelligence Briefing
Findings are published in the Know Degree Needed® Future of Work Intelligence Briefing and used to develop the Economic Navigation Engine platform.
Data Privacy
All survey responses are anonymous by design. No personally identifiable information is required. Contact details are stored separately and never linked to responses. Data is used exclusively for workforce intelligence research.
Research Ethics
Participation is entirely voluntary. Participants may opt out at any time. Findings are reported in aggregate only. No individual responses are identified or disclosed.
Who Can Participate
Any adult 18 or older navigating a work, income, or life transition. Workers and job seekers use the worker survey. HR leaders, hiring managers, and employers use the employer survey.
Preliminary Framework
The navigation patterns we are testing.
Based on initial research design, these are the five navigation patterns we expect to find across transition groups. Survey data will confirm, refine, or challenge each one.
Navigation Pattern Career Pre-retiree Displaced Reentry Employer
Identity Disruption
Financial Uncertainty
Decision Paralysis
Lack of Trusted Guidance
Information Overload

Legend: Expected high presence   Expected moderate presence. Data will update this table as responses are collected.

Publications
Where the research goes.
Survey data feeds directly into two flagship research publications and the core KDN platform infrastructure.
Coming August 2026
Economic Navigation Research Brief 001
The first publication from the Transition Intelligence Project. Covers navigation patterns across all seven transition groups, common barriers to forward movement, and implications for workforce development systems.
Contribute your experience →
Annual Publication
Future of Work Intelligence Briefing
The annual flagship publication presenting the Know Degree Needed® Economic Navigation Dataset, labor market transition trends, and recommendations for employers, policymakers, and workforce systems.
Stay connected for release →
Publications Library
Research briefs and intelligence reports.
All published research from the Transition Intelligence Project is listed here. Each brief will be available for free download. New publications are added as research milestones are reached.
Research Brief  ·  Coming August 2026
Economic Navigation Research Brief 001
Navigation patterns across seven transition groups. Common barriers to forward movement. Implications for workforce development systems and employers.
Coming Soon
Annual Intelligence Briefing  ·  Coming 2027
Future of Work Intelligence Briefing  ·  Volume 1
The inaugural annual publication presenting the Know Degree Needed® Economic Navigation Dataset, labor market transition trends, and recommendations for employers, policymakers, and workforce systems.
Coming 2027

New publications will appear here automatically as research milestones are reached.  ·  Contact us to be notified on release

Research Timeline
Where we are in the process.
June 7, 2026
Survey Launch
Worker and employer surveys launched at survey.knowdegreeneeded.com and knowdegreeneeded.com/employer-survey. Google Sheets integration active. Email notifications live.
Complete
June to July 2026
Response Collection
Collecting 25 responses across all seven transition groups. Survey promoted through Las Vegas Women in Business, West Las Vegas Library programming, and direct outreach to network contacts.
In Progress
July 6 to 9, 2026
Investor and Ecosystem Engagement
Active engagement with investors, employers, and ecosystem partners in Las Vegas to present the Transition Intelligence Project research and the Economic Navigation Infrastructure vision.
Upcoming
August 2026
Research Brief 001 Publication
Economic Navigation Research Brief 001 published. Covers patterns across all seven transition groups. Distributed to investors, employers, LVWIB members, and ecosystem partners.
Planned
Fall 2026
Economic Navigation Engine Development
Research findings inform the development of the KDN platform tools including the Transition Readiness Assessment and the Living Labor Graph. Partnership MOUs with technology partners executed.
Planned

Your experience is the data.

Every response shapes the Economic Navigation Dataset and the tools being built to help people navigate transitions with confidence, dignity, and agency.

Worker Survey Employer Survey
The Transition Intelligence Project is a workforce intelligence research initiative conducted by Know Degree Needed LLC. All survey responses are anonymous. No personally identifiable information is required to participate. Voluntary contact information is stored separately from survey responses and is never sold, shared with third parties, or linked to individual answers. Research findings are published in aggregate form only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, financial, career, or professional advice. Know Degree Needed LLC and Genius School (EIN 84-3586536) assume no liability for decisions made in reliance on research findings.
© 2024–2026 Know Degree Needed LLC  ·  A Genius School Initiative  ·  Las Vegas, Nevada  ·  Know Degree Needed® is a registered trademark.