A Preliminary Investigation of Knowledge Management Tools for the Construction Sector

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) is used by construction firms to establish organizational memory (OM) and consequently improve their performance by learning from past mistakes and best practices. Knowledge is the input to innovation; thus, the industry must adopt better ways of managing knowledge for advancement in the construction processes. Knowledge management consists of locating, modifying, and sharing knowledge to meet the needs of the current fast-paced sector. Various tools have been developed to support KM and OM in construction companies, however, it is very important to adequately address the needs of the sector for successful implementations. The aim of this study is to analyze the existing KM tools and evaluate their compatibility with the necessities of today’s sector. First, knowledge types in the construction industry were outlined, and existing KM tools were evaluated. Then, expert interviews were performed with two representatives from a prominent construction and a prominent consulting firm to delineate the contemporaneous KM practices as well as the KM needs in the construction industry. Finally, current practice in KM in the construction sector is evaluated, and a vision is developed for a more effective KM approach that could support OM in construction firms