CONCEPT MAPS COLLABORATIVE CREATION IN PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

AbstractOne of the greatest challenges of effectively managing knowledge in an organization is promoting seamless connections of operations between departments, the Product Lifecycle Management paradigm. It is also a paradigm that fosters organizational adaptability and quick change in production. Historically, information systems supporting operations have been developed with a specific department's culture in background. Due to this legacy, connecting data, information systems and people across the product lifecycle is an ongoing puzzle for organizations. Theorists and practicians agree on the need to include employees' expertise and vision in this process. However, this involves multiple perspectives and needs that are different but equally valid make. This study explores a tacit knowledge capture tool to be used as a means to voice the interaction and negotiation among employees. Through its influence on ontologies, concept maps collaborative creation can provide a usability tool focused on meaning throughout the product lifecycle. A literature review of the challenges involved and of the proposed tool is presented, followed by a use case and concluded with recommendations drawn from theory and practice.