Case Studies in Knowledge Management

Where Knowledge Management Resides within Project Management 151

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Lessons Learned

1. In this case study, there was an expectation that the majority of knowledge was
   obtained via formal means and would provide fruitful ground for a knowledge
   management system implementation. However, the informal transfer and reuse of
   knowledge played a more crucial role and provided proven benefit to Engineering
   Consulting XYZ. Thus the implementation of a knowledge management system
   resulted in a need for major cultural change.


2. The culture of an organization plays a major part in knowledge reuse. If the
   attributes of a learning organization are part of the culture, then knowledge reuse
   can occur. An organization can have all the processes, formality, and structure it
   wants, but without the right attitude or culture knowledge, reuse may not occur.


3. A total reliance on knowledge management systems does not necessarily suit the
   needs of Engineering Consulting XYZ; the better use of the system would be
   desirable. However, as this organization has a culture that encourages collective
   learning and sharing, a knowledge management system needs to complement the
   reliance on tacit knowledge and networks.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research is partially funded by the School of Information Management and
Systems, Faculty of Information Technology, at Monash University. We are grateful for
the support and input from the case study site.

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