Preserving and Using Institutional Memory through Knowledge Management Practices. A Synthesis of Highway Practice

摘要

This synthesis report documents practices regarding the preservation and use of institutional memory through the knowledge management (KM) practices of U.S. and Canadian transportation agencies. It identifies the practices for the effective organization, management, and transmission of materials, knowledge, and resources that are in the unique possession of individual offices and employees. Issues covered include: Does the agency have a KM program. Who has overall responsibility for KM practices. Is there an agency library, and sufficient staff or financial resources. Have materials to be retained been identified. Are there written guidelines for the retention of historical materials; and what tools are available for capturing and storing KM resources. Exemplary practices for KM from other professions are included. Surveys were returned from 38 transportation agencies (34 U.S. state departments of transportation (DOTs), three Canadian provinces, and one Canadian city). A literature survey was conducted to identify trends and practices within the transportation community. In addition, three case studies are provided as examples of DOTs with KM programs at various stages. Detailed survey responses can be found in the appendices, as well as those sections covering the literature survey. This synthesis is an immediately useful document that records the practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation. As progress in research and practice continues, new knowledge will be added to that now at hand.