Challenges of knowledge management through lessons learned practices in construction industry: A North Cyprus perspective

With the increasing pressure for competitiveness on construction contractors, it is necessary to capture, transfer and reuse project knowledge and use lessons learned from previous projects to improve project performance. Knowledge is increasingly seen as a key but often underutilized asset. While Knowledge Management (KM) tends to focus on aspects of the capture, storing and retrieval of knowledge, knowledge creation, dissemination and application is also vital. Thus there is value in managing organizational knowledge. This knowledge originates from the experiences of organizations and is retained in the form of corporate memory. This retained knowledge is usable in expediting similar work in the future, thus benefiting the organization by assisting in rapid implementation on projects. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the challenges of knowledge management (KM) and introduce a Model of Framework for Lessons Learned Process (LLP) that facilitates the sharing of knowledge about experiences and transferring of lessons learned at organizational level in North Cyprus construction industry. The research focus is to identify the processes of knowledge management, analyze the use of project feedback and lessons learned, and introduce a Model of Framework for LLP in construction contractors. A questionnaire survey, which was administered to the construction contractors in the industry, has been used in conducting the survey. The research includes an extensive literature study, interviews with managers on how to manage lessons learned processes throughout the organizations, analysis of this information to develop findings, and extending these to model an evolving framework of LLP over time in organizations. Without managing lessons learned process, the proper culture, and efficient technology application, the value of the knowledge, even if it is present, will be significantly less.