A Method to Support the Improvement of Knowledge Transfers in Product and Production Engineering

Abstract

The product engineering process as part of the product life cycle includes product and production system development as well as production. In integrated product and production engineering (PPE), knowledge transfer is an important success factor. Optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of knowledge transfers can, for example, support the avoidance of costly, production-related changes to the product design. The current state of research describes different models of knowledge transfer as well as factors that influence it. Some results show how the speed and quality of knowledge transfer can be improved by implementing so-called interventions. However, those models either represent abstract contexts of knowledge transfer or focus only on product engineering. Therefore, a literature analysis is conducted to identify the system of objectives for a method, that supports the improvement of knowledge transfer in PPE. Subsequently, the system of objectives is operationalized to provide the basis for the InKTI – Interdepartmental Knowledge Transfer Improvement Method, which is applicable, supports the user in improving knowledge transfers in PPE, and aims to increase the quality and speed of knowledge transfers.

Improving knowledge transfers in student engineering teams through the application of the InKTI – Interdepartmental Knowledge Transfer Improvement method

“…Even though knowledge management is investigated by many researchers, they rarely focus on knowledge transfer as part of knowledge management particularly between product and production engineers. Since successful interdepartmental knowledge transfers face different challenges and obstacles, the InKTI method (Albers et al, 2023) was developed to support engineers in improving knowledge transfers in product and production engineering. Hence, it is necessary to ensure acceptance, applicability as well a contribution to the success of the method in practice (Blessing and Chakrabarti, 2009).…”

“…To support the improvement of knowledge transfers in product and production engineering, the InKTI method has been developed (Albers et al, 2023), which is shown in Figure 1. This method is the basis for this research and has been validated in two field studies (Klippert, Schäfer et al, 2023;Klippert, Siebert et al, 2023) after the Live-Lab study presented in this paper.…”

“…In the beginning knowledge transfer situations need to be identified, explicated, and evaluated (Albers et al, 2023;Klippert, Ebert et al, 2023). Based on the identified improvement needs so-called knowledge transfer interventions should be defined and implemented.…”

“…After applying the InKTI method, its contribution to success is evaluated (cf. Albers et al, 2023). To determine the quality of knowledge transfers (E1), four knowledge artifacts (product profiles, product ideas, specified product ideas, and finalized product ideas) were evaluated by experts from the company partner at the milestones.…”

“…Some describe how to support the improvement of knowledge transfers in a product development context (Albers et al, 2019;Klippert, Stolpmann and Albers, 2023). Additionally, the InKTI -Interdepartmental Knowledge Transfer Improvement method was developed, which presents five activities, that support engineers in improving knowledge transfers in product and production engineering (Albers et al, 2023). To enable acceptance, applicability, and contribution to the success of the InKTI method in engineering practice, the method needs to be validated early and continuously.…”