Practical Knowledge Management Tool Use in a Software Consulting Company

TL;DR

This paper examines how a medium-sized software consulting company utilizes knowledge management tools in practice, revealing diverse uses that support organizational learning and motivate tool adoption.

Contribution

It provides empirical insights into the actual usage patterns of knowledge management tools in a real-world software company, highlighting their multifaceted roles.

Findings

Tools are used for resource allocation, competence search, opportunity identification, and skills upgrading.

Usage supports learning practices and motivates continued tool use.

Multiple usage types enhance organizational learning and adaptability.

Abstract

Tools for managing technical skills are used in many companies, but there has been little discussion about how such tools are used in practice. We report here on different types of actual usage in a medium-size software consulting company. We expected such tools to be used for allocating resources to new projects and for searching for competence to solve problems, but also observed two other types of usage: identifying new project opportunities, and skills upgrading. This multitude of uses support learning practices and motivates tool use both at individual and company levels, which is crucial to support organizational learning.