Knowledge
creation in TQM: A working method selector for design
meetings
This research
project investigates the theories of design management and
knowledge creation to enhance the value for clients and
society in the context of a building project.
The quality of
knowledge creation is an important aspect of Total Quality
Management (TQM) to improve constantly the performances of
construction processes. It focuses on the management of
design meetings and on experiential learning to explicate
implicit knowledge based on Kolb’s learning styles. An
integration of these two focus points forms the approach to
the design meeting that is seen as a collaborative learning
process.
The scientific
objectives of this research are to determine new
relationships among the parameters pertaining to design
meetings. Such parameters include content and structure of
the meeting agenda, choice of working methods, and distinct
levels of skills, experiences and professionalism of the
participants.
This research has
the following phases: (i) finding design-meeting parameters
by participative observation of cases, (ii) developing a
design meeting model based on experiential learning by desk
research and experiments, and (iii) matching patterns by
participative observation of cases and of field tests.
The expected result
is a validated working method selector that can be used for
planning and controlling the knowledge dynamics in design
meetings. The use of this tool will enhance the quality of
knowledge creation by experts with different skills,
experiences and professionalism according to TQM principles.
Posters
(Research Poster March
2009)
(Research poster
December 2008)
(Research poster March 2007)
(Research poster December 2007)
(Research poster 2004)
