Chapter 4: Project Knowledge Management

Overview

The emerging concepts of knowledge management are a prominent topic of debate: what it is, what it does, and who should use it. For the purposes of this PMO function, knowledge management will be examined as coordinating organizational knowledge and information to enable increased project management capability and to achieve business value from that capacity. This concept elevates fundamental communications in the project management environment from mere data transfer to the conveyance of ideas, perceptions, experiences, and interpretations that transcend the simple exchange of information. When using knowledge management concepts, the traditional aspects of project management reporting and project information management are properly retained but are generally adapted to be more timely, comprehensive, and widespread among stakeholders and relevant to business interests.

Because the PMO is responsible for establishing the project information management capability in the relevant organization, it can now employ the features of project knowledge management to achieve its objectives. The "project knowledge management" function enables the PMO to:

• Develop an approach to project performance reporting

• Construct an effective project management information system

• Facilitate collaboration among project managers, project teams, and project stakeholders

• Manage activities of virtual and geographically dispersed project teams

• Implement a robust project management knowledge reference library

• Capture and utilize individuals' wisdom, perspective, intuitions, and experiences

• Promote a learning organization among project managers

The PMO's knowledge management efforts should create a well-informed project management environment that operates efficiently, communicates effectively, and responds knowledgeably in providing customer and business solutions.