BIM Knowledge Management Model

Usually, most knowledge can be classified as either tacit or explicit knowledge in knowledge management (Tiwana, 2000). Tacit knowledge is personal, context-specific knowledge that is difficult to formalize, record or articulate. This type of knowledge is stored in the heads of people (Hart, 1992). Tacit knowledge or experience is primarily developed through a process of trial and error in practice. Tacit knowledge that can be communicated directly and effectively is personal knowledge embedded in individual experience and shared and exchanged through direct, face-to-face contact (Tiwana, 2000).

In contrast, the acquisition of explicit knowledge is indirect: it must be decoded and re-coded into one’s mental models, and is then internalized as tacit knowledge. Explicit knowledge can be codified and transmitted in a systematic and formal language. Explicit knowledge can be found in the documents of organizations, including reports, articles, manuals, patents, pictures, images, video, audio, software, and other forms. In this study,

"tacit knowledge" refers to "hard" information that is visibly or invisibly related to part of an area of knowledge, including experience and know-how; explicit knowledge is

"soft" information that enables or facilitates the execution of specific information, including contracting, drawing, solving problems, or approving proposals. Figure 19 shows construction tacit and explicit knowledge management. Furthermore, Figure 20 shows traditional knowledge management approach.

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Figure 19. Construction tacit and explicit knowledge management

Figure 20. Traditional knowledge management approach

Knowledge Sharing

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All onsite engineers are responsible for sharing knowledge pertaining to their own domain. Any BIM model that’s integrated information/knowledge sharing requirements have been noted will be classified as explicit in order to allow relevant experiences and processes to be recorded. Therefore, the shared information associated with objects of BIM model can be referred to and reused in other projects.

Shared information from all onsite engineers is divided and saved as “activity,”

“object,” or “issue” for collection and management. The main advantage of BIM-based knowledge management is the ease with which information and knowledge can be understood and reapplied. Knowledge saved in the "issue" category includes both tacit and explicit knowledge. With respect to explicit knowledge, BIM-related information normally includes original comments, reports, drawings, documents, and comments submitted by onsite engineers. In contrast, tacit knowledge may include process records, problems faced, problems solved, expert suggestions, know-how, innovations and notes on experience. Such information is better saved in issue-based components to facilitate classification and searching by users. Information that relates to the whole project that cannot be easily classified into issue components is saved under the “project” category.

A BIM-based knowledge model can be defined as a graphic representation of experiences linking relationships between objects of the BIM model and aspects of experience-based knowledge. The BIM technology retains knowledge in a digital format, facilitating easy updating and transfer of knowledge into the BIM environment. A BIM-based knowledge model is designed to be easily integrated with information and components of the BIM model. Information in the BIM-based knowledge models can be identified, tracked, and managed, and problems encountered during construction projects can be solved. The most up-to-date knowledge and solutions can be acquired from participating engineers and then

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shared and saved as objects of the BIM model for future reference. The model is constructed from variables that can be decomposed into objects of a BIM model and can then store the identified knowledge. Information stored in the objects of BIM models includes both facing problems and solutions. Facing problems may be knowledge issues, knowledge attributes, descriptions of problems, or knowledge attachments (e.g., documents, reports, drawings, and photographs). Fig. 21 illustrates the concept and framework of knowledge management using BIM models. With the assistance of BIM model, the knowledge can be enhanced illustrated and focused on updated knowledge the location or components of building. Because of BIM model characteristic, the application of ConBIM-SKM prototype for knowledge management will be illustrated different colors and status based on knowledge management using BIM model.

Figure 21. The concept of knowledge management using BIM model

Figure 22 shows the conceptual of knowledge management integrated with BIM models. After engineers acquire the knowledge, engineers can submit the collected

BIM Knowledge Management

Location Component Visual illustration

Submit Knowledge

KM

BIM model

Integration

Update Knowledge

(Photos, Documents, Knowledge)

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Approve Knowledge

Integration of KM and BIM Submit Knowledge

Share Knowledge Publish Knowledge

Acquire Knowledge

knowledge for approving. Finally, the knowledge can be published and shared with other related participants after the knowledge is approved.

Figure 22. The conceptual of knowledge management integrated with BIM model

The procedures for using BIM-based knowledge models are based on a knowledge management framework. Figure 23 presents a flowchart of the knowledge management integrated with BIM. After the engineer identify the knowledge for knowledge sharing, the engineer can select the component of BIM model based on knowledge topic.

Furthermore, the engineer can select the existing knowledge topic or create new topic of KM. Finally, the engineer may edit the knowledge linked with the component of BIM model and submit for approving.

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Figure 23. A flowchart of the knowledge management integrated with BIM model

In order to let the engineers understand where the knowledge is available for sharing in the model, the study proposed the two type of color use for BIM models for knowledge management (see Table 4). One type with blue color indexes available knowledge in the component of BIM model. Another type with orange color indexes new updating knowledge in the component of BIM model. Figure 24 illustrates sample of available knowledge illustration integrated with BIM models. Furthermore, Figure 25 shows sample of available knowledge illustration integrated with BIM models.

Table 4. The description of use of color for BIM knowledge management Color of Status Usage Description

Blue Color To index available knowledge in the component of BIM model

Orange Color To index new updating knowledge in the component of BIM model

Create the new topic for KM Select existing

knowledge topic for

KM Yes

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Available knowledge

Figure 24. The sample illustration of available knowledge integrated with BIM models

Figure 25. The sample illustration of available new knowledge integrated with BIM models

Available New knowledge

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The study proposed the procedures for using BIM-based knowledge models are based on a knowledge management framework. The procedure consists of three phases:

issue creation phase, knowledge sharing phase, and knowledge updating phase.

Issue Creation Phase

The initial engineer may determine which projects, activities, and issues are suitable for knowledge sharing. Furthermore, the issue must be set up by the initial participant (engineer) at the beginning of the phase. Such information under knowledge issues includes determining the type of knowledge, objects of BIM model, activities, and projects that should be assigned in association with the issue.

Knowledge Sharing Phase

After studying the published materials, all qualified and interested engineers are invited to edit and submit any knowledgeable comments they may have on the issue. All explicit knowledge prepared by engineers needs to be digitized by them or by assistants before it can be submitted to the ConBIM-SKM prototype. All knowledge must also be examined and confirmed before publishing. All interested engineers can discuss problems related to selected issues and objects of the BIM model and seek responses from other engineers and managers through the ConBIM-SKM prototype. Meanwhile, the engineers can direct responses either to individuals or a group. After tacit and explicit knowledge is saved in the system, all knowledge can be referenced and reused. Engineers can gain knowledge from the issues catalogue of the objects and can access this catalogue for use in other similar projects.

Knowledge Updating Phase

After applying tacit and explicit knowledge to similar projects, the engineers can resolve their problems related to those issues. Finally, the engineers can note and submit

40 Create PPT or movie

file using BIM model

Notice and publish the PPT or movie

the new tacit knowledge and record the experiences through which it was gained, and they can associate this information with the original knowledge. Furthermore, the information is updated again because further feedback and updated knowledge is provided regarding the issues. After the approval process has been completed, the updated knowledge set is republished to authorized members.

Most of domain knowledge can be illustrated using BIM-based animation. After knowledge and scenario were identified for approving, the BIM-based PPT and movie file can be created using BIM model on the scenario of domain knowledge (see Figure 26).

Figure 26. The flowchart of domain knowledge illustration using BIM model

All the BIM-based animation can be developed and enhanced of knowledge sharing and knowledge. Based on the interviews with junior engineers, those BIM-based animations are helpful for them to acquire domain knowledge easily and effectively.

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