A Method for Knowledge Management and Communication Within and Across Multidisciplinary Teams

摘要

The use of knowledge management (KM) and communication tools in an applied scientific arena where research is performed and knowledge must be managed within and across multidisciplinary teams and organizations is a challenge. Teams of scientists and engineers from up to 17 different technical specialties required knowledge management tools for developing multiple environmental impact statements under challenging circumstances. Factors that contributed to the success of the KM tools included 1) pairing of project staff with Knowledge Systems staff to determine system requirements, 2) the use of the tools by the team as they were being developed thus allowing many opportunities for feedback and interaction, 3) developing the tools to approximate the overall project structure and work flow already in place, 4) providing immediate assistance to the project team as they learned to use the new KM tools, and 5) replacing earlier practices with the new KM approach by "burning the bridges" to past practices after the team had learned to use the new KM tools.