Capturing and reusing knowledge: analysing the what, how and why for construction planning and control

Abstract

Learning from project experience is still lacking in the area of construction planning and control. A significant challenge is in deciding precisely ‘what’ engenders learning and ‘how’ knowledge can be reused. This study appraises critical learning situations (CLS) and the types of project knowledge to be reused to sustainably build capacity and improve the performance of construction projects. Given the underexplored area of study, an exploratory sequential mixed method research approach was adopted. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts and local practitioners to gain an in-depth insight into CLS and reusable project knowledge (RPK) pertinent to construction projects. Further, questionnaire survey responses from 338 construction practitioners in Malaysia were analysed. The findings reveal that construction time and cost control make a significant positive impact when past project experiences enhance expert judgements and stimulate knowledge reuse on future projects. Thus, the effective and efficient management of project knowledge should be optimised and considered of strategic value, giving rise to improved competency and sustainability within the construction industry.

Keywords:

• Knowledge management
• knowledge reuse
• project management
• learning organisation
• construction projects
• overruns

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia for providing funding under MyBrain15 (MyPhD) scholarship scheme to support this research at International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW), Malaysia and the support provided by UTAR Global Research Network Programme (International Collaborative Partner). We would also like to thank the associate editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive and insightful comments. Special gratitude is also extended to the industrial practitioners for participating and sharing their views and experiences.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap

Ir Ts Dr Jeffrey B. H. Yap is an Assistant Professor in built environment at the Department of Surveying, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kajang, Malaysia, and obtained his PhD in project management from International University of Malaya–Wales (IUMW), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in which he was recognised as IUMW Valedictorian (Best Student Award). He also holds an MSc in construction management and a BEng in civil engineering. He previously held managerial positions with several reputable property development companies and served as a design engineer with international civil and structural engineering consultancy firm in Malaysia. Jeffrey is a professional engineer (PEng) registered with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM); a corporate member (MIEM) with the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM); a professional technologist (PTech) with Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and holds a project management professional (PMP)® certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Having worked in industrial and academic environments, he has gained a wide-ranging knowledge in the field of project management, knowledge management, construction engineering, organisational learning and sustainable methods of development in the built environment. He is keenly interested in practical and transformational research that is of direct benefit to the construction as well as the real estate industry. Jeffrey is also actively involved in international research collaborations and engineering consultancy services. He can be contacted at [email protected]

Kamran Shavarebi

Dr Kamran Shavarebi is the Programme Coordinator for PhD in project management at Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He obtained his PhD in Construction and Materials from University Technology Mara (UiTM), Malaysia.

Martin Skitmore

Dr Martin Skitmore is a Professor in the School of Built Environment at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia having formerly held a Personal Chair at the University of Salford, UK. His research interests include construction economics and management, project management, construction information technology, sustainable construction and environments, and land use policy. He has published over 270 scholarly journal papers in such leading journals as Automation in Construction, Building & Environment, International Journal of Project Management, Journal of the Operations Research Society, Journal of Cleaner Production, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Habitat International, Environmental Pollution, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Land Use Policy, Cities, Waste Management and Technovation.