Developing a project knowledge management framework for tunnel construction: lessons learned in Taiwan

Abstract

Knowledge, particularly in the form of experience, can provide a competitive advantage in the construction industry. Knowledge organization (KO) systems developed in the library, information, and computer sciences are excellent for delivering knowledge services. However, it is difficult for these systems to judge how suitable (not just relevant) any of the retrieved knowledge will be in practice. This study puts forward a directional experience ontology (DExOntology) framework, which makes use of KO characteristics to set up problem-topic ontology, but augments the retrieved knowledge documents (KwDocs) in the knowledge bank with additional “orientation” from weighted attributes determined by domain experts, thus bridging the gap between existing KO systems and practical requirements. The goal is a mechanism that delivers knowledge, especially in the domain of practical experience, more efficiently and effectively than simple information retrieval searches. The study finds that the DExOntology framework significantly improves both the relevancy and suitability of the retrieved knowledge, making it a more useful system for construction industry practitioners to use in the field.