Knowledge management in project environments

C J Pretorius,H Steyn

doi:10.4102/sajbm.v36i3.634

C J Pretorius, H Steyn

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v36i3.634

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Abstract

Knowledge management is widely acclaimed to be a source of considerable financial advantage for organisations. Various authors realise that project environments could also benefit from the creation and re-use of knowledge, including from the lessons learned that should be documented during project close-out. Projects face specific challenges (limited time spans, changing and dispersed teams) and the reduction of project risk, time and cost through knowledge management, may well prove worthwhile.This paper reviews the literature on knowledge management, both in organisations in general and in project environments specifically. A framework for knowledge management is derived from literature. The paper also reports on an investigation of knowledge management practices in four cases within a single South African business environment. Knowledge management practices similar to ones reported abroad were found.A model is proposed for the management of knowledge in project environments, both within a single project (intraproject) and between projects (inter-project) and. guidelines for knowledge management in project environments are provided. It is also suggested that, while the management of explicit knowledge is common in project management, more attention should be given to the sharing of tacit knowledge through human interaction.

Highlights

Knowledge management in organisationsThe financial benefits produced by creating and sharing knowledge, are widely recognised
A previously developed theory is used as a template with which to compare the empirical results of the study (Yin, 2003:32). Considering this point of view, this study provides valuable information about knowledge management in project environments and offers a starting point for future research
The results conclude that the main focus of knowledge management remains the capturing and dissemination of information using Information Technology systems

Summary

Introduction

Knowledge management in organisationsThe financial benefits produced by creating and sharing knowledge, are widely recognised. The effective utilisation of organisational knowledge is perceived to be essential to ‘improve bottom line results’ (King, 2001) and to ‘create wealth’ (Stewart, 2001:11) Another view holds that the new knowledge economy has the potential for ‘dramatically increasing economic and social prosperity’ (Allee, 2003:19). Nevis, DiBella and Gould (1995) state that knowledge includes the meaning or interpretation of the information and of intangibles such as the knowledge of experienced people. Another view holds that ‘only people can take the information generated by investigative processes and craft that information into knowledge’ (Whysall, 2003)

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