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A Methodology for Capturing Tacit Knowledge Within the Defense Industry Regis University ePublications at Regis University All Regis University Theses Spring 2011 A Methodology For Capturing Tacit Knowledge Within The efeD nse Industry Stephen M. Dokus Regis University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.regis.edu/theses Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Dokus, Stephen M., "A Methodology For Capturing Tacit Knowledge Within The efeD nse Industry" (2011). All Regis University Theses. 739. https://epublications.regis.edu/theses/739 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by ePublications at Regis University. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Regis University Theses by an authorized administrator of ePublications at Regis University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations. A METHODOLOGY FOR CAPTURING TACIT KNOWLEDGE WITHIN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY A THESIS SUBMITTED ON 24 OF MAY, 2011 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES OF REGIS UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT BY Stephen M. Dokus APPROVALS Dee Bilo, Thesis Advisor Shari Plantz-Masters Douglas I. Hart ii RUNNING HEAD: A METHDOLOGY FOR CAPTURING TACIT KNOWLEDGE Abstract This study looks at the knowledge management practices used by study participants from the defense industry and offers a methodology for capturing tacit knowledge. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in work teams focused on the development and acquisition of defense systems. Those interviewed held various staff and management positions in Program Management (PM), Enterprise Architecture (EA), and system safety auditing. This researcher conducted primary research in the form of a Case Study. Interviewees in the defense industry supporting the Army, Marine Corps and Military aeronautics were interviewed and asked to provide feedback on their experiences and knowledge of tacit knowledge capture. Through a series of questions this researcher was then able to derive a methodology to better capture tacit knowledge in the industry in question. It became evident during the primary research that further studies should be conducted within the defense industry regarding the capture of knowledge from those who have clearances above and beyond “public knowledge”. The discoveries in this primary research brought light to the fact that classified tacit knowledge may not be captured, because it is sensitive in nature. Further studies may include research to provide a means of capturing classified tacit knowledge while still maintaining its security. iii RUNNING HEAD: A METHDOLOGY FOR CAPTURING TACIT KNOWLEDGE Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in this endeavor, be it family, friends, coworkers, or educators. iv RUNNING HEAD: A METHDOLOGY FOR CAPTURING TACIT KNOWLEDGE Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1–Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Knowledge Management in the Defense Industry Enterprise Level .................................... 3 Chapter 2–Review of Literature and Research ............................................................................... 6 2.1 Possible Solutions for Tacit Knowledge Capture. .............................................................. 15 2.1.1 Planning ....................................................................................................................... 20 2.1.2 Knowledge Management Systems ............................................................................... 21 2.1.3 Organizational Learning. ............................................................................................. 25 Chapter 3–Methodology ............................................................................................................... 30 3.1 Determination of Industry and Interviewees ....................................................................... 31 3.1.1 Job Titles ...................................................................................................................... 32 3.1.2 Location of Research ................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Formulation of Primary Research Interview Questions...................................................... 34 3.3 Procedure ............................................................................................................................ 35 3.3.1 Instruments and Materials ............................................................................................ 36 3.4 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 36 3.4.1 Ontology and Epistemology ........................................................................................ 36 Chapter 4–Results ......................................................................................................................... 37 4.1 Compilation of Results ....................................................................................................... 37 4.1.1 How long have you been employed by your organization? ......................................... 37 4.1.2 Does your organization face high turnover? ................................................................ 37 4.1.3 Are Lessons Learned collected at the completion of a project? .................................. 38 4.1.4 Does the loss of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) greatly affect your work team? ....... 40 4.1.5 How do you codify and pass knowledge within a work team? .................................... 40 v RUNNING HEAD: A METHDOLOGY FOR CAPTURING TACIT KNOWLEDGE 4.1.6 What formal methods/processes does your organization have in place to capture tacit knowledge? ................................................................................................................. 43 4.1.7 Does your organization use IT (systems, procedure. etc.) to collect knowledge? If so, briefly describe how knowledge is captured using IT (systems, procedure, etc). ...... 43 4.1.8 Has knowledge been passed to you that have assisted you in your duties? ................. 44 Chapter 5–A Methodology for Capturing Tacit Knowledge ........................................................ 46 5.1 Planning .............................................................................................................................. 46 5.2 Codify Knowledge .............................................................................................................. 47 5.3 Formalize Processes ............................................................................................................ 49 5.4 Educate ................................................................................................................................ 50 5.5 Leverage IT tools and solutions .......................................................................................... 51 5.5.1 Use of Wikis ................................................................................................................ 52 5.5.2 Use of Knowledge Centers .......................................................................................... 53 5.6 Conduct and Record Lessons Learned ................................................................................ 55 5.7 Repeat on Future Projects ..................................................................................................
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