Developing Low Cost Knowledge Management Strategies for Architectural and Engineering Practices

By Cristina Cerulli.

Published by The Organization Collection

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Article: Print	$US10.00
Article: Electronic	$US5.00

This paper will attempt to define a framework for the development of low cost knowledge management (KM) strategies for construction design practices. The proposed framework will serve all architectural and engineering design practices, but will be of particular relevance for small and medium practices, for which high investments on KM programmes are more problematic.

This work builds on the findings of several research projects in which large design organizations were studied and relates them to small and medium practices. The research projects which this work builds directly onto are: the EPSRC funded Advanced Decision Support for Construction Design Project (ADS) (Cerulli, Peng et al. 2001; Cerulli 2002; Cerulli, Peng et al. 2002; Cerulli 2005) and Learning from Experience (LEAF) Project (Bassanino, Lawson et al. 2001; Lawson, Bassanino et al. 2003) as well as on the practice based development of the K-Man suite of tools (Cerulli 2004; Cerulli 2005). The first part of the paper will address organizational and technological issues relevant to the development of KM strategies within the context of UK construction industry. In particular the role of IT and of the organizational culture in successful KM strategies will be critically discussed.

The second part of the paper will describe a suite of tools, techniques and practices that can be used as elements of a wider KM strategy. These tools and techniques range from freeware software, to HR and management policies to workplace design.

Keywords:	Knowledge Management, Freeware, Bottom-Up Systems, Participation

The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management, Volume 7, Issue 7, pp.17-26. Article: Print (Spiral Bound). Article: Electronic (PDF File; 869.556KB).

Dr. Cristina Cerulli

lecturer, School of Architecture, University of Sheffield, UK

Cristina Cerulli's work focuses on epistemological aspects of design processes and practices, in particular knowledge, learning and innovation within design organizations and construction projects. She graduated in Architecture at the Universita'degli Studi di Firenze , where she also qualified as an Architect, and she completed a MSc in Computer Aided Building Design at the University of Strathclyde . She first joined the the School of Architecture at the University of Sheffield in 1999 to work as Research Associate on the Advanced Decision Support System for Construction Design Project, with Prof. Lawson. In Sheffield she started her doctoral research on how IT can effectively Support the Knowledge Management Aspects of the Construction Design Process. She then practiced as an Architect in Sheffield and London working mainly on airports and large office and hospital developments and she joined the School of Architecture as a Lecturer after completing her PhD in 2004. She is also a founder of architecture and design practice MARAMEO. The practice is a flexible organization with a focus on sustainable development, urban regeneration, participatory design and public art, pulling in ad-hoc resources on a project basis and encouraging cross-discipline collaborations.

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