Live capture and reuse of project knowledge in construction: a proposed strategy

摘要

Construction projects have intricate supply chains with constantly changing members. Communication of vital knowledge and information between stages in complex projects and across disparate groups involved in these projects offers a significant challenge. As a result, many construction companies have found it very difficult to capture, retain and reuse knowledge efficiently and to then exploit that knowledge in a way that enhances the corporate understanding and experience. Knowledge Management (KM) approach seem to offer real opportunities for improving understanding and knowledge capture and reuse in an effective manner. It provides an infrastructure that enables knowledge to be captured/created, stored, organised and disseminated. The basic purpose in Knowledge Management is to empower the knowledge workers with information/knowledge that allows them to make decision based on a foundation of fact. This paper describes a proposed strategy for the live capture of reusable project knowledge. It is based on research forming part of an on-going project whose primary objective is to develop a methodology for the live capture of reusable knowledge on construction projects (CAPRIKON). The paper starts with a brief review of knowledge management and its application in construction. The ways in which knowledge is captured and reused in real live construction projects is then examined to provide the basis of a conceptual approach for the live capture of reusable project knowledge reflecting both organisational and human dimensions. Managing knowledge will provide considerable benefits in construction projects, but appropriate techniques and technologies are required to promote knowledge capture and reuse. The paper concludes that the capture and reuse of knowledge, will not only prevent the re-invention of the wheel, but could be the basis for innovation, increased agility, better teamwork, supply chain integration, and improved performance in project delivery.