A Web-Based Database System for Managing Construction Project Knowledge

Knowledge management is a critical issue among construction firms. Since acquiring, sharing, and using knowledge in construction are crucial, knowledge management is considered to be one of the key sources of success for the construction projects. However, project-based nature of construction is among the most important barriers to organizational learning. Nevertheless, project information is one of the main assets of contractors and should be institutionalized. An effective means of knowledge management across construction sites and headquarters is information systems. The major objective of this study is to propose a web-based database system to aid construction companies in capturing, storing, sharing, and using project and corporate information. In this respect, a tool named WEB-CONS is developed and tested within a construction company. The main advantage of this system is to create organizational memory and to assist companies in terms of their project management activities. This tool is expected to increase the organizational learning competence of construction companies and to help create organizational memory. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.