Knowledge Reuse and Transfer in a Project Management Environment

Abstract

This paper analyzes how project management companies manage knowledge. The research focuses on the creation, transfer, reuse and management of that knowledge. We propose a model for knowledge reuse in a project management environment where knowledge is absorbed at a tactical level and flows to a strategic level. This model derives from the: the OODA loop - Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, which focuses on strategic requirements and the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycle, which focuses on the operational or tactical level of projects. Both the OODA Loop and the PDSA Cycle are adaptive learning and decision- making cycles where changes or actions are produced via repeated cycling through that loop. We suggest the ’Act’ step of the PDSA cycle is similar to the ’Orient’ step of the OODA loop because changes or learning is occurring. In this instance the PDSA cycle is renamed the PDSO (Plan-Do-Study-Orient) cycle. Research results indicate that knowledge flows between projects at all steps of (the PDSO Cycle) and OODA Loop. Key findings include a preference for informal over formal networks, the lack of a knowledge management system and the link between knowledge processes and the corporate project methodology. However, an effective knowledge management strategy also requires a strategic fit between social networks, technology, processes and corporate culture.