Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice
based perspective
Christian Thuesen (Ph.D.-student)
The Technical University of Denmark
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Introduction
o ‘One of a kind’ productions o Strong division of labor o The inter-organizational cooperation is temporary o Temporary, heterogeneous teams
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Ambition
1. How can we understand knowledge utilization in projects
2. How might we understand projects from a practice based perspective
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Agenda!
o Method o The story o Understanding projects - a practice based perspective o Knowledge utilization in projects o Contributions
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The method
o 1½ year ethnographic study – Diary – Codified material (drawings, resumes) – Attended meetings, workshops, etc. – Interviews – 90 hours of recordings
o Focus: design activities o Follow the actor
– Process (Partnering, meeting practice) – Product (Ventilation, construction principle)
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The story
o Development of world class schools for a Danish municipality o A £20.000.000 partnering project
failures, delays, contradictions, dilemmas, tragedies, success…
Understanding the project – a practice based perspective
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The project as a constellation of practices
o Drawing upon Actor Network Theory and Communities of Practice o Conceptualising practice using ANT
– Components of practice (actors) – Linked components (network)
o Different concentration of actors and relations
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The constellation of practices ”Professional practices”
o Black boxes of practices – formed around CoP o Apprenticeship learning o Mastery of core tools and artefact of the
practice o Practice reproduced through generations
Design leader: “You must learn to muddle along professionally”
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The constellation of practices ”Coordinative practices”
o Alignment processes in the actor network o Boundary practices mediated by
– Negotiations spaces – Boundary objects (resumes, the school, drawings, etc) – Brokers (design managers …)
Arne: “It is so nice that it says A here. We are getting better and better. Can’t we find another municipality with 5-6 schools?”
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
The constellation of practices ”The unfolding life of the project”
o The project in the making – Translation – Interdependence - obligatory point of
passage – Negotiations and mobilization of alliances – Productions of orders and stability
o In this process the professional practices
and their boundaries are constantly (re)produced.
o Development of a shared historical context
Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Knowledge in a practice based perspective
o Knowledge is (Gherardi & Nicolini 2000, p. 330): – situated in the system of ongoing practices. – relational and mediated by artifacts. – always rooted in a context of interaction and it is acquired through
some form of participation in a community of practice. – continually reproduced and negotiated, and hence it is always
dynamic and provisional.
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Utilization of knowledge The negotiation of a construction principal
o A negotiation between specific conflicting professional practices
– Functionality (architect) – Stability (engineer) – Economical (contractor)
o Mediated by:
– Drawings – Shared vocabulary
o Situated a shared historical context
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Contributions
o A “analytical strategy” for understanding projects – and their unfolding life.
o A solid foundation for discussing learning and knowledge which emphasis:
– Social activity – Power relations – Materiality
”Knowledge utilization in projects – a practice based perspective”
Questions and Comments!