A web-based prototype for live capture and reuse of construction project knowledge

The concept of Knowledge Management (KM) is now widely embraced in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, and many strategies and tools have been (and are being) developed for its implementation in the industry. Much of these efforts, however, are targeted at the firm-level, and they do not facilitate the collective learning of various participants involved in a project. This paper describes a web-based prototype (CAPRI.NET) that was developed to facilitate the live capture and reuse of project knowledge. Following a review of strategies for project knowledge management in construction, the research underpinning CAPRI.NET is discussed. This is followed by a description of the development and testing of the prototype. CAPRI.NET allows project participants to document their learning during the course of a project in a Project Knowledge File (PKF) which is collectively owned by all participating firms. The knowledge captured in the PKF can be reused during or after the project. A preliminary evaluation of CAPRI.NET by AEC practitioners suggest that it proffers unique possibilities for knowledge capture and reuse in AEC projects.