Communications tools in research projects to support semi and non structured information

Innovation and thus the production of knowledge becomes a factor of competitiveness. In this context quality management could be complemented by knowledge management to aim the improvement of knowledge production by research activities process. To this end, after describing knowledge and information typologies in engineering activities, a knowledge management system is proposed. The goal is to support: (1) Semi-Structured Information (e.g. reports, etc.) thanks to the ANITA tool functions, which are based on attributing points of view and annotations to documents and document zones, and (2) Non-Structured Information (such as mail, dialogues, etc.), thanks to MICA-Graph approach which intends to support exchange of technical messages that concerns common resolution of research problems within project teams and to capitalise relevant knowledge. For the both approaches, prototype tools have been developed and evaluated, primarily to feed back with manufacturing knowledge in the EADS industrial environment.