improving productivity & sustainability through knowledge...

81
IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY & SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY LAU WUT CHI, CALVIN Presented to the College of Business City University of Hong Kong in Partial Fulfilment Of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Business Administration CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG 2010

Upload: others

Post on 12-Sep-2020

8 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY amp SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

BY

LAU WUT CHI CALVIN

Presented to the College of Business

City University of Hong Kong in Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirement for the Degree of

Master of Business Administration

CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

2010

Table of Content

1 Abstract 1

2 Abbreviations 3

3 Company Background 4

4 Business Context 4

5 Problem Statement 5

6 Project Objective 5

7 Process Management 7

8 Literature Review 7

9 Scope of Work 19

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan 36

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control 57

12 Conclusion 67

Appendix 1 - Reference 69

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge 70

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation 71

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan 72

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 1 of 72

1 Abstract

In the business world the main goal is to make maximum profit while optimize operational

efficiency will then be regarded as secondary Generally speaking most of the managers

pursued to outsource routine or IT work to save money In the past AFC maintenance was

done by in-house staff due to its nature and service criticality level In September 2009 the

AFC maintenance work for ATampD and TKL were outsourced Although management

enjoyed cost saving from outsourcing they also realized the subsequent loss of key AFC

knowledge On the other hand HR issues were also emerged in the form of staff layoff

redeployment succession plan and etc

In transportation services the marketplace is customer-oriented particularly expectation of

front line services will be much higher Customers take charge and always request responsive

and additional services After outsourcing MTR could not easily request additional work or

flexible scope of work from contractor unless pay more or revise the contract For sure

outsourcing can save significant money at the beginning However in the long run the

company must review whether or not she has over dependent on contractor in a way that

suffering from loss of some key knowledge and ultimately weakening her capability and

sustainability in the market

Leavitt Diamond is a model for analyzing management change It suggests that technology

tasks people and the organizational structure must maintain equilibrium Outsourcing had

reduced the tasks people and simply organizational structure whilst KMS is one of the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 2 of 72

solutions to keep LD in equilibrium by improving technologies and KM mechanisms within

the organization

In this project KMS in AFC will be applied to leverage knowledge between both in-house

staff and maintenance contractor Secondly a knowledge reservoir for AFC system will be

built The ultimate goal is to maintain key knowledge of AFC so as to improve productivity

and sustainability of the business

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 3 of 72

2 Abbreviations

AFC Automatic Fare Collection

ATampD Airport Express Line Tung Chung Line amp Disney Resort Line

AFCSDT Automatic Fare Collection Special Duty Team

BPR Business Processes Reengineering

CampC Control amp Communication

CM Corrective Maintenance

HR Human Resource

IT Information Technology

JCM Job Characteristics Model

KCRC Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation

KMS Knowledge Management System

LD Leavitt Diamond

MTR MTR Corporation Limited

MBO Management by Objectives

MCS Main Control System

OTD Operations Training Department

OH Overhaul

PS Particular Specification

PM Preventive Maintenance

SBM Station Based Maintenance

TampC Test amp Commissioning

TKL Tseung Kwan O Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 2: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Table of Content

1 Abstract 1

2 Abbreviations 3

3 Company Background 4

4 Business Context 4

5 Problem Statement 5

6 Project Objective 5

7 Process Management 7

8 Literature Review 7

9 Scope of Work 19

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan 36

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control 57

12 Conclusion 67

Appendix 1 - Reference 69

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge 70

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation 71

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan 72

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 1 of 72

1 Abstract

In the business world the main goal is to make maximum profit while optimize operational

efficiency will then be regarded as secondary Generally speaking most of the managers

pursued to outsource routine or IT work to save money In the past AFC maintenance was

done by in-house staff due to its nature and service criticality level In September 2009 the

AFC maintenance work for ATampD and TKL were outsourced Although management

enjoyed cost saving from outsourcing they also realized the subsequent loss of key AFC

knowledge On the other hand HR issues were also emerged in the form of staff layoff

redeployment succession plan and etc

In transportation services the marketplace is customer-oriented particularly expectation of

front line services will be much higher Customers take charge and always request responsive

and additional services After outsourcing MTR could not easily request additional work or

flexible scope of work from contractor unless pay more or revise the contract For sure

outsourcing can save significant money at the beginning However in the long run the

company must review whether or not she has over dependent on contractor in a way that

suffering from loss of some key knowledge and ultimately weakening her capability and

sustainability in the market

Leavitt Diamond is a model for analyzing management change It suggests that technology

tasks people and the organizational structure must maintain equilibrium Outsourcing had

reduced the tasks people and simply organizational structure whilst KMS is one of the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 2 of 72

solutions to keep LD in equilibrium by improving technologies and KM mechanisms within

the organization

In this project KMS in AFC will be applied to leverage knowledge between both in-house

staff and maintenance contractor Secondly a knowledge reservoir for AFC system will be

built The ultimate goal is to maintain key knowledge of AFC so as to improve productivity

and sustainability of the business

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 3 of 72

2 Abbreviations

AFC Automatic Fare Collection

ATampD Airport Express Line Tung Chung Line amp Disney Resort Line

AFCSDT Automatic Fare Collection Special Duty Team

BPR Business Processes Reengineering

CampC Control amp Communication

CM Corrective Maintenance

HR Human Resource

IT Information Technology

JCM Job Characteristics Model

KCRC Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation

KMS Knowledge Management System

LD Leavitt Diamond

MTR MTR Corporation Limited

MBO Management by Objectives

MCS Main Control System

OTD Operations Training Department

OH Overhaul

PS Particular Specification

PM Preventive Maintenance

SBM Station Based Maintenance

TampC Test amp Commissioning

TKL Tseung Kwan O Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 3: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 1 of 72

1 Abstract

In the business world the main goal is to make maximum profit while optimize operational

efficiency will then be regarded as secondary Generally speaking most of the managers

pursued to outsource routine or IT work to save money In the past AFC maintenance was

done by in-house staff due to its nature and service criticality level In September 2009 the

AFC maintenance work for ATampD and TKL were outsourced Although management

enjoyed cost saving from outsourcing they also realized the subsequent loss of key AFC

knowledge On the other hand HR issues were also emerged in the form of staff layoff

redeployment succession plan and etc

In transportation services the marketplace is customer-oriented particularly expectation of

front line services will be much higher Customers take charge and always request responsive

and additional services After outsourcing MTR could not easily request additional work or

flexible scope of work from contractor unless pay more or revise the contract For sure

outsourcing can save significant money at the beginning However in the long run the

company must review whether or not she has over dependent on contractor in a way that

suffering from loss of some key knowledge and ultimately weakening her capability and

sustainability in the market

Leavitt Diamond is a model for analyzing management change It suggests that technology

tasks people and the organizational structure must maintain equilibrium Outsourcing had

reduced the tasks people and simply organizational structure whilst KMS is one of the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 2 of 72

solutions to keep LD in equilibrium by improving technologies and KM mechanisms within

the organization

In this project KMS in AFC will be applied to leverage knowledge between both in-house

staff and maintenance contractor Secondly a knowledge reservoir for AFC system will be

built The ultimate goal is to maintain key knowledge of AFC so as to improve productivity

and sustainability of the business

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 3 of 72

2 Abbreviations

AFC Automatic Fare Collection

ATampD Airport Express Line Tung Chung Line amp Disney Resort Line

AFCSDT Automatic Fare Collection Special Duty Team

BPR Business Processes Reengineering

CampC Control amp Communication

CM Corrective Maintenance

HR Human Resource

IT Information Technology

JCM Job Characteristics Model

KCRC Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation

KMS Knowledge Management System

LD Leavitt Diamond

MTR MTR Corporation Limited

MBO Management by Objectives

MCS Main Control System

OTD Operations Training Department

OH Overhaul

PS Particular Specification

PM Preventive Maintenance

SBM Station Based Maintenance

TampC Test amp Commissioning

TKL Tseung Kwan O Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 4: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 2 of 72

solutions to keep LD in equilibrium by improving technologies and KM mechanisms within

the organization

In this project KMS in AFC will be applied to leverage knowledge between both in-house

staff and maintenance contractor Secondly a knowledge reservoir for AFC system will be

built The ultimate goal is to maintain key knowledge of AFC so as to improve productivity

and sustainability of the business

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 3 of 72

2 Abbreviations

AFC Automatic Fare Collection

ATampD Airport Express Line Tung Chung Line amp Disney Resort Line

AFCSDT Automatic Fare Collection Special Duty Team

BPR Business Processes Reengineering

CampC Control amp Communication

CM Corrective Maintenance

HR Human Resource

IT Information Technology

JCM Job Characteristics Model

KCRC Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation

KMS Knowledge Management System

LD Leavitt Diamond

MTR MTR Corporation Limited

MBO Management by Objectives

MCS Main Control System

OTD Operations Training Department

OH Overhaul

PS Particular Specification

PM Preventive Maintenance

SBM Station Based Maintenance

TampC Test amp Commissioning

TKL Tseung Kwan O Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 5: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 3 of 72

2 Abbreviations

AFC Automatic Fare Collection

ATampD Airport Express Line Tung Chung Line amp Disney Resort Line

AFCSDT Automatic Fare Collection Special Duty Team

BPR Business Processes Reengineering

CampC Control amp Communication

CM Corrective Maintenance

HR Human Resource

IT Information Technology

JCM Job Characteristics Model

KCRC Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation

KMS Knowledge Management System

LD Leavitt Diamond

MTR MTR Corporation Limited

MBO Management by Objectives

MCS Main Control System

OTD Operations Training Department

OH Overhaul

PS Particular Specification

PM Preventive Maintenance

SBM Station Based Maintenance

TampC Test amp Commissioning

TKL Tseung Kwan O Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 6: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 4 of 72

URL Urban Line

WIL West Island Line

WI Work Instructions

3 Company Background

Currently MTR has 12 lines 82 stations and 62 light rail stations after the merger with ex-

KCRC in December 2007 It currently carries 35 million passengers each weekday MTR

has continued to expand its network locally and cross boundary to mainland China The WIL

will be put into service in year 2012

I am working in ATampD Technical Support Section to provide technical support for front line

maintenance staff and also need to manage asset management activities for all CampC systems

such as Telecom MCS and AFC etc In addition I need to conduct TampC work for new

station and railway extension

4 Business Context

Management pursued outsourcing of routine and IT work to cut cost and to keep minimum

in-house staff In consideration of staff turnover loss of key knowledge of service critical

system (eg AFC Signaling etc) will occur Hence pursuing KMS was usually followed or

before outsourcing This is to ensure the key knowledge can properly be maintained for

sustaining the core business and future development

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 7: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 5 of 72

5 Problem Statement

Outsourcing could generate several millions of cost saving but concurrently generate surplus

of staff who might need to be redeployed or laid off The most crucial problem was the loss

of key knowledge to sustain the core business Secondly the switching cost is high and very

difficult to change back to in-sourcing since the market size is small and not easy to find

sufficient expertise to support and maintain the system Thirdly the company will totally

rely on contractor and is very difficult to request for higher service standard or flexible scope

of works unless to pay more money to contractor or to revise the scope of work In the long

run the existing contractor already dominates the market and keeps the key knowledge as

their proprietary asset The company will be hard to invite other contractors to beat the new

maintenance contract As a result monopoly will be occurred The company may enjoy

lower cost at the beginning but suffer from higher cost in the long-term

6 Project Objective

Outsourcing AFC maintenance work could save several millions of money but it would lose

key knowledge of AFC In light of this six technicians would be gradually redeployed from

Jan 2010 to Mar 2010 to form a special team (AFCSDT) who is under my supervision and

will be trained as AFC experts Meanwhile KMS to leverage their knowledge will be

applied to build a knowledge reservoir of AFC system AFCSDT would strengthen

contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities for new projects My objective is to

maintain the key knowledge of AFC and ensure no operation impact after outsourcing new

projects and stationrailway extensions The ultimate goal is to improve productivity and

sustainability

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 8: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 6 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter Knowledge Management (KM) involves cultivating a

learning culture where organizational members gather knowledge systematically and share it

with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance I will try to make it

easy for AFCSDT staff to communicate and share their knowledge in order that they can

learn other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and eventually improve

AFC performance as well as organizational performance

Refer to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) employees sharing knowledge with one another

the turnover rates were reduced thereby positively affecting revenue and profit The

development of AFC KMS will provide AFCSDT with solutions to problems they face in

case those problems have been encountered earlier and effectively addressed Ultimately

AFCSDT can be trained as AFC experts and thus AFC knowledge can be on-going stored

shared and maintained in AFC KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 9: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 7 of 72

7 Process Management

The project objective is defined and linked to business objectives The next step is to conduct

literature review and KM assessment before implementation In Figure 1 it shows the

processes and workflows of this project The below sections will go through all necessary

processes

8 Literature Review

81 Business Definition for Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Analysis Assessment amp Apply

Business Objective

KM Assessment

PROBLEM STATEMENT Project Objective

STRATEGY Formulation of a PLAN

CHANGE Mechanisms amp Technologies

IMPLEMENTATION

PERFORMANCE Evaluation amp Control

Literature Review

Figure 1 - Project Workflow

ENVIRONMENT ORGANIZATION

Motivation Maintain the system until mature

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 10: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 8 of 72

LD is a model for analyzing management change developed by Harold J Leavitt Leavitts

Diamond is based on the idea that it is rare for any change to occur in isolation Leavitt sees

technology tasks people and the organizational structure in which they function as four

interdependent variables visualized as the four points of a diamond Change at any one point

of the diamond will impact some or all of the others Thus a changed task will necessarily

affect the people involved in it the structure in which they work and the technology that

they use Failure to manage these interdependencies at critical times of change can create

problems Managing of equilibrium of four elements was essential to the corporation Please

refer below Figure 2 for LD

Figure 2 - Leavitts Diamond (LD)

Due to staff retirement and outsourcing of AFC maintenance service AFC knowledge will

subsequently be lost According to LD the change in ldquopeoplerdquo (staff retirement) and

ldquobusiness processrdquo (from in-house maintenance to outsourcing) will affect other variables As

the change of organization structure is comparatively hard it is then considered to have

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 11: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 9 of 72

ldquotechnologyrdquo change to maintain the equilibrium of LD KM can then be adopted as a tool to

keep the key knowledge of AFC

82 Rapid Change in Business Processes

Companies must try to change their business approaches so as to survive in the rapid

changing environment especially to enter the global markets However Wiig (2004) pointed

out that there are six major challenges of which companies need to do in order to survive in

the rapid changing environment

The increase of knowledge-intensive work leads to the creation and delivery of better

and greater complexity of management and operating practices

Due to globalization the pressure has been arisen This results in the changing of the

nature of business in the competitive environment It is therefore needed to inform

customers and increase dependence on intellectual capital

Different complex practices in management operational and technical approaches are

bought in such as the new generation of knowledge management advancement of

information management and technology as well as explicit people-focused knowledge

management

Technology business conditions regulatory and legal requirements practices and

demands are changing faster than ever expected

Workers are now demanding more involvement in work They are less satisfied with

traditional employment conditions

Traditional training and education are often exceeded the time than allocated

83 Changing in Technology People and Structure

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 12: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 10 of 72

Wiig (2004) stated that these challenges can be addressed by the below listed four

management initiatives

Organization has to widely disseminate and provide systematic and comprehensive

knowledge management guided by management

Organization has to promote integrative management practices not only on personal but

also to departments and business unit at all levels so as to achieve the common goals of

collaboration and understanding KM

Organization has to foster and capitalize its intellectual capital and assets operational

and strategic value of human capital and information capital

Organization has to provide competitive products and establish people-focused

management and organization of knowledge-related work

84 Survival in Rapid Changing Environment through Knowledge

Management

Wiig (2004) stated that global economy demands excellence Many companies are trying to

maintain at the top position by innovating faster than their competitors in order to survive

Companies must carefully manage knowledge-intensive work It refers to the high

performing people to deal with the intellectual work In fact work intensity is a function

which includes at least the four factors as shown below

In normal situation the degree of knowledge intensity is determined by the amount of

knowledge needed to deliver competent work

Knowledge intensity is influenced subject to the variety of challenges of which people

handle competently

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 13: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 11 of 72

The degree of knowledge will increase in high-value situations where the consequences

of errors are large

The degree of knowledge intensity is parallel to the swiftness of action

85 Definition for Knowledge Management (KM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Knowledge Management (KM) involves

cultivating a learning culture where organizational members systematically gather and share

knowledge with others within the organization so as to achieve better performance

Management must try to make it easy for staff to communicate and share their knowledge in

order that they can learn from other ways to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently and

eventually improve organizational performance

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge is first created in peoplesrsquo minds

A company must identify ways to encourage and stimulate the ability of employees to

develop new knowledge Besides company must enable effective ways to elicit represent

organize re-use and renew this knowledge The people using KM systems are the integral

part of the KM systems Moreover a company needs to use social mechanisms and

technologies to facilitate knowledge workers to discover share and apply their knowledge

KM comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify create

represent distribute and enable adoption of insights and experiences Such insights and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 14: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 12 of 72

experiences comprise knowledge either embodied in individuals or embedded in

organizational processes or practice

An established discipline since 1991 (see Nonaka 1991) KM includes courses teaching in the

fields of business administration information systems management and library and

information sciences More recently other fields have started contributing to KM research

these include computer science information and media

KM efforts have a long history to include on-the-job discussions formal apprenticeship

discussion forums corporate libraries professional training and mentoring programs More

recently with the increased use of computers in the second half of the 20th century specific

adaptations of technologies such as knowledge bases expert systems knowledge repositories

group decision support systems intranets and computer supported cooperative work have

been introduced to further enhance such efforts

86 Definition for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS)

In 1999 the term personal knowledge management was introduced which refers to the

management of knowledge at the individual level (Wright 2005) In terms of the enterprise

early collections of case studies recognized the importance of knowledge management

dimensions of strategy process and measurement (Morey Maybury amp Thuraisingham 2002)

Key lessons learned included people and the cultures that influence their behaviors are the

single most critical resource for successful knowledge creation dissemination and

application cognitive social and organizational learning processes are essential to the

success of a knowledge management strategy and measurement benchmarking and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 15: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 13 of 72

incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change In

short knowledge management programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented More recently with the

advent of the Web 20 the concept of knowledge management has evolved towards a vision

more based on people participation and emergence

According to Becerra-Fernandez et al (2004) knowledge management mechanisms such as

mentoring retreats etc are organizational or structural means used to promote knowledge

management (KM) The use of leading-edge information technologies (IT) (eg Web-based

conferencing) to support KM mechanisms enables dramatic improvement in KM Knowledge

Management Systems (KMS) is the synergy between latest technologies and socialstructural

mechanisms In summary Knowledge Management System (KMS) refers to the Latest

Technology plus SocialStructural Mechanisms Please refer below table for the relationship

between KM processes mechanisms and corresponding technologies

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Knowledge

Discovery

Knowledge

Discovery

System

Combination Meetings telephone

conversations and

documents

collaborative creation

of documents

Databases web-based

access to data data

mining repositories of

information Web

portals best practices

and lessons learned

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 16: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 14 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

Socialization Employee rotation

across departments

conferences

brainstorming

retreats cooperative

projects initiation

Video-conferencing

electronic discussion

groups e-mail

Knowledge

Capture

Knowledge

Capture

Systems

Externalization Models prototypes

best practices lessons

learned

Expert systems chat

groups best practices

and lessons learned

databases

Internalization Learning by doing

on-the-job training

learning by

observation and face-

to-face meetings

Computer-based

communication AI-

based knowledge

acquisition computer-

based simulations

Knowledge

Sharing

Knowledge

Sharing

Systems

Socialization See above See above

Exchange Memos manuals

letters presentations

Team collaboration

tools web-based access

to data databases and

repositories of

information best

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 17: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 15 of 72

KM

Processes

KM

Systems

KM Sub-

Processes

Illustrative KM

Mechanisms

Illustrative KM

Technologies

practices databases

lessons learned systems

and expertise locator

system

Knowledge

Application

Knowledge

Application

Systems

Direction Traditional

hierarchical

relationships in

organizations help

desks and support

centers

Capture and transfer of

expertsrsquo knowledge

troubleshooting systems

and case-based reasoning

systems decision

support systems

Routines Organizational

policies work

practices and

standards

Expert systems

enterprise resource

planning systems

management information

systems

87 Motivation

Referring to Gary amp Alan (2008) motivation is an extent to which persistent effort is

directed toward a goal Effort persistence direction and goal are important elements to

achieve motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 18: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 16 of 72

According to Becerra ndashFernandez et al 2004 KM is directly linked to what people know

and how what they know can support business and organizational objectives It draws on

human competency intuition ideas and motivations In light of this motivation is one of the

important elements which cannot be ignored during the implementation of KM Motivation

can positively influence and encourage staff to contribute continuously their efforts towards

the successful attainment of KM

With reference to Wikipedia there is a number of claims exist as to the motivations leading

organizations to undertake a KM effort Typical considerations driving a KM effort include

making available increased knowledge content in the development and provision of products

and services as well as achieving shorter new product development cycles and etc

871 Need Theory of Work Motivation

According to Gary amp Alan (2008) the Need Theory specified what kinds of needs people

have and the conditions under which they will be motivated to satisfy these needs in a way

that contributes to better performance Needs are physiological and psychological wants or

desires that individuals can satisfy by acquiring certain incentives or achieving particular

goals It is the behaviour stimulated by this acquisition process that reveals the motivational

character of needs According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be divided

into intrinsic and extrinsic as shown in Figure 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 19: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 17 of 72

The unsatisfied need category at the lowest-level has the greatest motivating potential The

best motivation depends on the personrsquos position in the need hierarchy According to Maslow

individuals are motivated to satisfy their physiological needs before they reveal an interest in

safety needs Thus safety needs must be satisfied before social needs become motivational

and so on

872 Goal Setting Theory and Management by Objectives

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) goal setting is a motivational technique that uses

specific challenging and acceptable goals and provides feedback to enhance performance

The two main categories are learning goals and performance goals Learning goals are

process-oriented goals that focus on learning and enhancing the understanding of a task and

the use of task strategies Performance goals are outcome-oriented goals that focus on the

achievement of specific performance outcomes

Physiological

Safety

Belongingness

Self-esteem

Self-actualization

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

Figure 3 ndash Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 20: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 18 of 72

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) Management by Objectives (MBO) is an elaborate

goal-setting and evaluation process that organizations typically use for management tasks

Objectives for the organization as a whole are developed by top management and diffused

down and translated into specific behavioural objectives for individual members to achieve

through the process of planning motivating evaluating and reward

873 Job Characteristics Model (JCM)

According to Robbins and Coulter (2005) JCM specified the job characteristics and used to

redesign work to make it more motivated Referring to Figure 4 below it describes how the

first three dimensions ndash skill variety task identity and task significance ndash combine to create

meaningful work From a motivational standpoint JCM suggests that internal rewards are

obtained when an employee learns (knowledge of results through feedback) that he or she

personally (experienced responsibility through autonomy of work) has well performed on a

task that he or she cares about (experienced meaningfulness through skill variety task

identity andor task significance) The more these three conditions characterize a job the

greater the employeersquos motivation

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 21: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 19 of 72

Figure 4 ndash Job Characteristic Models (JCM)

9 Scope of Work

The major scope to keep knowledge for AFC is to ensure no negative impact during changes

in business environment My key assignment is to train AFCSDT as AFC expert in the

coming two years KMS will be applied to leverage their knowledge and build a reservoir

for AFC knowledge Meanwhile motivation theory will also be applied to ensure ongoing

operations until the KMS become an organizational culture in the department AFCSDT

would strengthen contractor monitoring supervision and TampC activities to ensure no adverse

impact after outsourcing new projects or stationrailway extensions

91 How do I manage their motivation forces

In December 2009 six technicianssenior technicians were redeployed to my section and

under my supervision With reference to the results of other departments the initial setup of

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 22: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 20 of 72

KMS might not be difficult but to keep a momentum to maintain the KMS as departmental

culture would be a real challenge It is because there are several inherent personnel issues as

below

- Employees always think that their special skill and knowledge are eroding

- Employees will think that KMS is an extra task other than normal duties hence they will

be reluctant to involve in it

- Fear of job securityredundancy

- Normal working hours are already occupied by day-to-day duties therefore not much

time can be spared to handle additional KM activities

Because of the captioned reasons motivation techniques must be applied to tempt staff to use

KMS In addition it is essential to keep the momentum forces of KMS and to ensure

sufficient driving forces of motivation within the team until using KMS become departmental

culture According to Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of Needs motivation can be achieved by the

below techniques

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

Physiological

1 Review salary by staff performance in relation to KMS

2 Clear reward system

Safety

1 Job is secured even though share knowledge with other

2 Training for staff without enough skill

Belongingness 1 Knowledge sharing

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 23: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 21 of 72

Maslowrsquos Hierarchy of

Needs

Propose motivation techniques

2 More team activity

Self esteem

1 Social relationship with other

2 After-office-hour activities

3 Promotion opportunity

92 Qualitative Measures

In order to identify existing KM processes qualitative measures will be used Questionnaire

and informal chatting with the technicians and engineers were arranged in January 2010

Please refer Appendix 2 for the questionnaire

93 KM Assessment

Firstly an assessment for contingent factors will be conducted This is to evaluate the effect

of knowledge and task characteristics environmental and organizational characteristics

before selecting appropriate KM processes Secondly methodology will be assessed This is

to identify task-oriented key processes assess the contingency factors prioritize assess the

KM infrastructure and develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and

technologies applied to AFC The eight steps are required to go through and are summarized

as below The elaboration of each steps are detailed in the following tables

1 Identify task-oriented key processes

2 Assess the contingency factors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 24: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 22 of 72

3 Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

4 Prioritize the needed KM processes

5 Identify the existing KM processes

6 Identify the additional needed KM processes

7 Assess the KM infrastructure

8 Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 25: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 23 of 72

Steps 1 amp 2 ndash Identify task-oriented key processes and assess the contingency factors

Business

Objectives Major Processes Sub-processes

Assess the Contingency Factors

Task Characteristics Knowledge Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environmental

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Uncertainty =

High or Low

Task

Dependence =

High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain key

knowledge for

AFC

Form a special team for

AFC work

Form an AFC

Special Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA

Strengthen training and

practice for AFCSDT

Arrange formal

training Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a

knowledge database Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

outsource of

AFC

maintenance

service

Capture key knowledge

from experience staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to maintain

the system

Share knowledge

with collaboration

partners

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Strengthen contractor

monitoring and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Ensure no

operations

impact during

new project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new system to

implement according to

Particular

Specification(PS)

Capture useful

information from PS Low Low Explicit Procedural

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Capture useful

information for test

amp commissioning

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Ensure defects are

resolved before putting

the new system into

operations

Resolve all defects

before handover NA NA Both Both

Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 26: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 24 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Characteristic LevelType Recommended KM Processes

Organization

Size

Small Knowledge sharing (socialization)

Knowledge application (direction)

Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Large Knowledge sharing (exchange)

Knowledge application (routines)

Knowledge discovery (combination)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Business Strategy

Low cost Knowledge application (direction routines)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Differentiation Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Environmental

Uncertainty

Low Knowledge sharing (socialization exchange)

Knowledge capture (externalization internalization)

High Knowledge discovery (combination socialization)

Knowledge application (direction routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 27: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 25 of 72

Steps 3 ndash Identify the KM processes based on each contingency factor

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledge

for AFC

Form a

special team

for AFC

work

Form an

AFC Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

Low NA NA NA Large NA NA NA

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Low Low Explicit Procedural Large Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Conduct drill

exercise Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

Low High Tacit Declarative

Small (small

team to

establish)

Low cost

(codification

for reuse in

future)

Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenanc

e service

Capture key

knowledge

from

experience

staff

Arrange job

attachment to

experience

staff

NA NA Both NA Small Low cost Low

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

Low High Tacit Both Small Low cost Low

Knowledge sharing

(socialization

exchange)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 28: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 26 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors

Recommended

KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small or

Large

Business

Strategy = Low

Cost or

Differentiation

Environment

al

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Uncertainty

= High or

Low

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit or

Explicit

Knowledge

Procedural or

Declarative

Knowledge

competence

to maintain

the system

partners

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA Explicit Procedural Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low NA

Ensure no

operations

impact

during new

project or

new

stationline

opening

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specification

(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from PS

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

ng

Low Low Explicit Procedural Small (conduct

by small team) Low cost Low

Knowledge capture

(externalization

internalization)

Ensure

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

NA NA Both Both Large (done by

whole Section) Low cost Low

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 29: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 27 of 72

Steps 4 ndash Prioritize the needed KM processes

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

Maintain

key

knowledg

e for AFC

Form a

special

team for

AFC

work

Form an

AFC

Special

Duty Team

(AFCSDT)

No OK NA NA No NA NA NA 0 1 2 05

Strengthe

n training

and

practice

for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

No No OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

2 1 4 25

Conduct

drill

exercise

No OK OK OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

2 3 2 35

Build a

knowledg

e database

for AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

OK Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

(2)

Knowledge

application

(routines)

4 2 3 5

Ensure no

operations

Capture

key

Arrange on-

the-job NA OK Yes OK Yes Yes No

Knowledge

sharing 3 2 1 4

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 30: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 28 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

impact

during

outsource

of AFC

maintenan

ce service

knowledg

e from

experienc

e staff

training to

experience

staff

(socialization

exchange)

Ensure

maintenan

ce

contractor

are

compete

to

maintain

the

system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboratio

n partners

No Yes Yes OK Yes Yes No

(1)

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange) (2)

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

4 1 1 45

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

NA NA No Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(routines)

2 0 3 2

Ensure no

operations

impact

during

new

project or

new

stationlin

e opening

Ensure

new

system to

implemen

t

according

to

Particular

Specificat

ion(PS)

Capture

useful

information

from

Particular

Specificatio

n

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

)

3 0 4 3

Capture

useful

information

for test amp

commissioni

No No No Yes Yes Yes No

Knowledge

capture

(externalizatio

n

internalization

3 0 4 3

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 31: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 29 of 72

Business

Objectives

Major

Processes

Sub-

processes

Contingency Factors Prioritizing KM Processes

Task Characteristics Knowledge

Characteristics Organization

Size = Small

Business

Strategy =

Low Cost

Environmenta

l Uncertainty

= High

Recommended

KM Processes

Number

of Yes

Number

of OK

Number

of No

Cumulat

ive

Priority

Score

Task

Uncertainty =

High

Task

Dependence

= High

Tacit

Knowledge

Procedural

Knowledge

ng )

Ensure

defects

are

resolved

before

putting

the new

system

into

operations

Resolve all

defects

before

handover

the system

NA NA OK Yes No Yes No

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

3 1 2 25

Yes = 1 OK = 05 No = 0

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 32: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 30 of 72

Steps 5 amp 7 ndash Identify the existing KM processes and assess the KM infrastructure

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

5

Build a

knowledge

database for

AFC

Establish a

knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

(2) Knowledge

application

(routines)

Centralize

technical

library

Intranet to

keep Work

Instruction

(WI)

procedure and

drawings

Top

management

support

Relies

mainly on

paper-based

central

library and

intranet

Intranet

calendaring

Web-based

discussion

group Staff are

willing to

share

informati

on and

knowledg

e

PC

training

room and

on-site

equipmen

t

Yes but

low

efficiency

No as

system

complexity

became

higher the

effectiveeff

iciency was

dropped due

to poor

organizing

of

information

and

knowledge

45

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Share

knowledge

with

collaboration

partners

(1) Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

exchange)

(2) Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Arrange

formal

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Relied on

Email and

SharePoint

PC based

Internet and

SharePoint

Yes

Yes but

needs to

ensure new

staff(due to

turnover)

are also

competence

4

Capture key

knowledge

from

Arrange on-

the-job

training to

Knowledge

sharing

(socialization

Learning by

observation

and practice

Email and

word

processing

Mentorship

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Yes but

low

efficiency

No because

mentorship

scheme

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 33: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 31 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

experience

staff

experience

staff

exchange) documents Microsoft

Office

applications

could only

arrange one

or two staff

for job-

attachment

35

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill

exercise

Knowledge

application

(direction

routines)

Learning by

practice

Relied on

Microsoft

Office

applications

Yes

Yes but

there is no

plan to

conduct the

drill and the

report did

not organize

in proper

manner

3

Ensure new

system to

implement

according to

Particular

Specificatio

n

Capture useful

information

from PS Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Face-to-face

project

meetings

Project

submissions

by Email

Incentives link

to

performance

appraisal

Relied on

Email and

Sharepoint

PC based

Internet and

Sharepoint

Contracto

r are

willing to

share

informati

on with

client

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes Yes Capture useful

information

for test amp

commissionin

g

25

Strengthen

training and

practice for

AFCSDT

Arrange

formal

training

Knowledge

capture

(externalization

internalization)

Classroom

training

(1) Computer-

based training

(2) Share

training

material(CD

ROM)

Top

management

encouragemen

t

Part of staff

developmen

t

programme

PC based

Intranet

Email and

Microsoft

Office

applications

Staff are

willing to

learn

PC

meeting

rooms and

site

environm

ent

Yes

Yes but the

training

material did

not organize

in proper

manner

Ensure Resolve all Knowledge Face-to-face Email and Incentives link Part of pre- Maintain Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 34: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 32 of 72

Priority Major

Processes Sub-processes

Recommended

KM Processes

Actual KM in Place Results

KMS KMS Infrastructure

Mechanisms Technologies

Culture

(Value top

management

encourageme

nt)

Structure IT

Common

Knowled

ge

Physical Valid Good

defects are

resolved

before

putting the

new system

into

operations

defects before

handover the

system

application

(direction

routines)

project

meetings

word

processing

documents

to

performance

appraisal

commissioni

ng activities

higher

performan

ce

standard

2

Ensure

maintenance

contractor

have

competence

to maintain

the system

Strengthen

contractor

monitoring

and

supervision

Knowledge

application

(routines)

Face-to-face

performance

review

meetings

Part of post-

commissioni

ng activities

Yes Yes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 35: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 33 of 72

Steps 8 ndash Develop additional needed KM systems mechanisms and technologies

Priority Major Processes Sub-processes Recommended KM Processes Develop Additional Needed KM Systems

Mechanisms Technologies

5 Build a knowledge

database for AFC

Establish a knowledge

database

(1) Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization)

(2) Knowledge application

(routines)

Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms

(1) Apply SharePoint to build a

document-management platform for

AFC SharePoint needs to be

customized the architecture for AFC

As such it becomes an access shared

workspaces information stores and

documents

(2) Apply MTR Creator (Web-based

discussion groups) to share

knowledge for AFC

45

Ensure maintenance

contractor have

competence to

maintain the system

Share knowledge with

collaboration partners

(1) Knowledge sharing

(socialization exchange)

(2) Knowledge application

(direction routines)

(1) Utilize of knowledge stored in

SharePoint

(2) Assess the competence level of

maintenance contractor periodically

4

Capture key

knowledge from

experience staff

Arrange on-the-job

training to experience

staff

Knowledge sharing (socialization

exchange)

(1) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

(2) Conduct case study to strengthen

internalization process

35 Strengthen training

and practice for

AFCSDT

Conduct drill exercise Knowledge application (direction

routines)

To share drill report procedures best

practices and lessons learned for AFC

25 Arrange formal training Knowledge capture

(externalization internalization) To share training material for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 36: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 34 of 72

94 Analysis and Recommendation

Base on the above Item 93 of KM assessment below are the analysis and recommendation

941 Analysis

- MTR is a large transportation company that pursued a low-cost business strategy to operate

its systems in a safe and reliable manner

- MTR faces low levels of uncertainty because of monopoly AFC tasks are highly dependent

because individual machines are co-related

- MTR relies mainly on explicit procedure knowledge However several projects and railway

extensions make frequent changes in the system As such MTR becomes more rely on the

tacit knowledge possessed by its employees

- MTR had pursued technologies (eg SharePoint and Web-based discussion groups) to

support knowledge management The company had set-up the platform but there was no

expertise to customize particular application Staff had just used these softwares as rituals

rather than knowledge capturing or sharing platform

942 Recommendations

- To enhance people-to-document through more on-the-job training and develop an electronic

document system that codifies stores disseminates and allows reuse of knowledge for AFC

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 37: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 35 of 72

- MTR had successfully applied the SharePoint in projects and railway extensions as pilot

Because of the reuse economics MTR shall further extend the application of SharePoint in

Operations Department and arrange expertise to customize the application for AFC

- Establishment and use of communities of AFC to support socialisation capture and reuse of

knowledge To enhance socialisation through more job attachments meetings and group

projects

- To enhance internalisation through more training case studies and presentations

- To motivate staff to setup amp maintain KMS for ongoing operations

bull Physiological need

ndash Review salary by staff performance

ndash Clear reward system

bull Safety need

ndash Job is secured even though share knowledge with others

ndash Training for staff without enough skill

bull Belongingness need

ndash Knowledge sharing (eg Share knowledge in SharePoint)

ndash More team activity (eg Work Improvement Team for AFC)

bull Self esteem need

ndash Social relationship with other

ndash After-office-hour activities

ndash Promotion opportunity

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 38: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 36 of 72

10 Implementation Strategies and Plan

Below are the implementation strategies and plans

101 Use Information Technologies and Existing Resources

Based on Item 94 of KM analysis and recommendation below are the implementation details and

strategies Information technologies will be used as practical tools for activities mainly performed

and directed by humans to achieve real knowledge-based organizations Further it is inclined to use

existing resources and infrastructure due to time and budget constraints

102 Web-based Technologies

Among information technologies the web-based collaborative tools such as Wiki are very

successful and made it possible for corporate employees to continuously contribute and access

information to and from the central repository Virtual world further increased collaborative

opportunities in the process of knowledge sharing In virtual world a team can work synchronously

The new generations of virtual world tools allow the team not only meet and exchange ideas verbally

but also document them by creating processes procedures and diagrams of concepts that are

explicitly formed one part of the base of organizational knowledge

103 Codification Approach

One strategy to KM involves active management of knowledge (push strategy) In such an instance

individuals strive to explicitly encode their knowledge into a shared knowledge repository such as a

database as well as retrieving knowledge they need which other individuals have provided to the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 39: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 37 of 72

repository This is also commonly known as codification approach to KM In the below section

SharePoint will be used to implement a shared knowledge repository

104 Personalization Approach

Another strategy to KM involves individuals who make requests for knowledge from experts

associated with a particular subject on an ad hoc basis (pull strategy) In such an instance experts

can provide their insights to the particular person or people who need this information This is also

commonly known as the personalization approach to KM In the below section MTR Creators will

be used to implement an E-Discussion Forum Within MTR Creators Subject Matter Advisor (SMA)

will act as an expert to provide feedback to particular questioner

105 KM Mechanisms

Knowledge can be accessed at three stages of ldquobeforerdquo ldquoduringrdquo and ldquoafter KM-related activities

Different organizations have tried various knowledge capture incentives including making content

submission mandatory and incorporating rewards into performance measurement plans as motivation

Whenever staff found that KMS is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and

accessing knowledge is instilled incentivesmotivation are no longer required In the below section

rewards scheme will be incorporated into Annual Performance Appraisal to evaluate the contribution

of KM

106 Knowledge Management Software

Knowledge Management Software is a subset of enterprise content management software which

contains a range of software that specializes in the way information is collected stored andor

accessed The knowledge management is based on a range of practices used by an individual a

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 40: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 38 of 72

business and a large corporation to identify create represent and redistribute information for a

range of purposes Software that enables an information practice or range of practices at any part of

the processes of information management can be deemed as information management software A

subset of information management software emphasizes an approach to build knowledge out of

information that is managed or contained which is often called knowledge management software

107 Selection of Knowledge Management Software

In 2008 and 2009 MTR had spent a lot of resources and make huge investments in the latest

technologies (eg SharePoint 2007) systems (MTR Creators) and infrastructures to support

knowledge management Furthermore these knowledge management software tools have the

advantages of using organizationrsquos existing information technology infrastructure with supporting by

senior management Additionally there was no funding for the implementation of this project

Hence existing resources will be made good use of building the application for AFC instead of

sourcing alternative software

1071 SWOT Analysis

In the following table a SWOT analysis is conducted SharePoint (existing resources) and PC Base

Expert System are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right technology to build the

web-base knowledge repositories

SharePoint PC Base Expert System

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2008) it is not required

(1) Can develop as artificial

intelligence by means of Case-

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 41: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 39 of 72

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup customization

and administrative work

(4) Web-base document library can also

fulfill business objectives

(5) Relative easy to do the setup

customization amp administration

based or rule-Based reasoning

systems

(2) Can develop as web-base

library

(3) Fulfill business objectives

Weakness

Expertise to do setup customization amp

administration

(1) Need to raise additional cost

Relative longer development time

(2) Need expertise to develop

Opportunities

(1) Relative easy to get short win

(2) Management support in prior

More applications by means of

Case-based or rule-based

reasoning systems

Threat

Limited applications Higher cost but other technologies

may fulfill the same objectives

In the following table SWOT analysis is conducted MTR Creators (existing resources) and Yahoo

Knowledge are selected for comparison The aim is to select the right collaborative technology

(groupware etc) to build an E-discussion forum

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 42: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 40 of 72

MTR Creators Yahoo Knowledge

Strength

(1) Because of existing resources

(introduced in end 2009) it is not required

to raise funding

(2) Minimum user training

(3) Just need to do the setup

customization and administrative work

(4) The web-base discussion forum can

fulfill business objectives

(1) Able to fulfill business

objectives

(2) Attractive MMI

(3) With scoring system to

encourage people to participate

(4) High degree of information

(5) Open to public

(6) No need to do setup

Weakness

(1) Limited to internal expertise

(2) Need to do the setup customization amp

administration work

Insufficient knowledge for specific

systems

Opportunities Management support in prior No cost is required

Threat

Have redundancy by means of Email or

other technologies

The answer has no guarantee

After analyzed SharePoint is selected to build web-base knowledge repositories because of no cost

and short implementation time while MTR Creators is selected to build an E-discussion forum with

the same reason More important both technologies are able to fulfill business objectives

108 Implementation Approaches

Both SharePoint and MTR Creators were not widely adopted at the beginning (mid of 2009) This

was because no expertise was willing to do the customization setup and administration work for the

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 43: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 41 of 72

particular applications within the department In light of this these resources will be made good use

of and tried to maximize the utilization of these technologies and existing infrastructure In the

below sections setup customization and administrative works for SharePoint and MTR Creators

will be conducted The purpose is to build an E-document library and E-discussion forum to in line

with KM mechanisms

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 44: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 42 of 72

109 Implementation Plan

Below is the project timeline In Jan 2010 all the setup and customization works for AFC had been completed In Feb 2010

application for these technologies together with other KM mechanisms had been started AFC SDT and other AFC team with a total

of about 22 staff were selected to apply the KMS for AFC In Jan 2010 a questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their needs

for AFC and their views for KMS In Jun 2010 another questionnaire had been sent to them to collect their comments after applying

the KMS for five months

November January February March April May

1 Review business context

2 Problem statement

3 Define project objective amp scope

4 Literature review

5 Data collection amp assessment

6 Implementation

7 Performance evaluation amp control

8 Submit project report

Tasks2009 2010

DescriptionJuneDecember

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 45: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 43 of 72

1010 SharePoint

Microsoft SharePoint also known as Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies is a content

management system with integrated search functionality developed by Microsoft that allows users to

work in a web-based collaborative environment Microsoft provides certain built-in functionality and

third party developers can also develop custom modifications to extend functionalities

SharePoint is a collection of products and software elements that includes among a growing selection

of components web browser based collaboration functions process management modules search

modules and a document-management platform SharePoint can be used to host web sites that access

shared workspaces information stores and documents as well as host defined applications such as

wikis and blogs All users can manipulate proprietary controls called web parts or interact with

pieces of content such as lists and document libraries

10101 Background of Corporate Document Management System at MTR

In year 2008 MTR selected Microsoft SharePoint 2007 as the future document management platform

This platform became part of the infrastructure of Document Management System (DMS) for all

departments and supported the on-going document management needs of MTR Corporation

In mid 2008 the DMS platform was established by IT department in MTR The application setup and

administration work was relied on individual department In end 2008 these two pilot trials were

rolled out with satisfactory result which interested other departments to migrate their legacy system

into e-library Basically the application setup and ownership were released to individual department

The DMS consists of Document Libraries owned by various departments and working groups Please

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 46: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 44 of 72

refer below Figure 5 for Enterprise Information Portal After clicking the DMS in Figure 5 the site

hierarchy tree of Document Libraries folders were expanded as illustrated in Figure 6

Figure 5 Figure 6

Referring to Figure 6 the Site Hierarchy Tree shows the document libraries that are available

in corresponding departmentrsquos folder The Document Libraries is a place on a site where user can

create share and update files It contains custom properties that stores metadata of files in the libraries

and also provides fine-grained security for granting access to those files The Document Libraries are

owned by various departments and working groups in the Operations Division Respective owner

possesses the autonomy to control who can access and to what extent under the Document Libraries

Due to various issues (for example some departments are not familiar with Information System setup

and not willing to take up the duties and responsibilities of being an administrator etc) the application

of SharePoint was not widely adopted in Operations Division

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 47: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 45 of 72

10102 Use SharePoint as E-Document Library for AFC

Before 2009 SharePoint had never been applied to AFC knowledge management activities In Jan

2010 the initial set up share folder creation and the knowledge sharing activities for AFC among all

my staff had been conducted I acted as an Administrator role to govern knowledge management

activities in SharePoint Basically Administrators needed to manage the access permission and folder

structure of individual document libraries Meanwhile other working teams were encouraged to share

their knowledge and useful documents in SharePoint Before starting these activities in SharePoint the

following setup was required to arrange

10103 Created the folder structure

In the below Figure 7 the folder structure of a document library at Site Hierarchy called AFC SDT

was created AFC staff could add files to the library and other people can make changes to them

Those changes would be stored in the library at server not at their own computers And other people

could easily access the files by using a Web browser provided that they have been granted the

permissions to do so

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 48: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 46 of 72

Figure 7 Figure 8

10104 Define Content Types

In the above Figure 8 the content type was defined which is suitable for AFC application A content

type is used to define the attributes of a document Each content type can store different attributes in

the document library and also can associate with different document library For example all

deliverable documents in a project file may require a set of attributes such as project code and project

owner By creating a project content type the required information such as project code must be

assured and the project owner will be associated with all variants of user deliverable documents for

AFC

10105 File Permission Settings

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 49: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 47 of 72

In Figure 9 and 10 the file permission setting has been done for all staff related with AFC work In the

Document Library the file will be selected with permission set only for target audience The

permissions page will display all users and SharePoint groups and their associated permission levels

that are applied to the selected file

Figure 9 Figure 10

10106 Users and Groups Administration

In Figure 11 and 12 users and groups together with access rights have been created and granted for all

AFC staff Figure 11 shows how to add or delete user in the selected group in the Document Library

while Figure 12 shows the permission page associated with permission levels that are applied to the

selected folder which user permission will be granted

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 50: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 48 of 72

Figure 11 Figure 12

1011 Background of MTR Creators

In early 2009 management advocated learning organization and sharing culture within Operation

Division as an ongoing direction In this regard MTR Creator was established by IT Department in

mid 2009 served as an E-Discussion Forum This application was developed by IT Department and

could be selected under the Enterprise Information Portal (E-Portal) This platform served as a sharing

tool to encourage staff to share their knowledge under the E-Portal Unlike SharePoint this application

has no limitation in access Every staff can click the hyperlink to post their interesting topics for

discussion and there is no need to grant prior permission Conceptually MTR Creators is a framework

for collaborative and creative sharing which provides an interactive platform to enhance staff

capabilities and is a drive to learning innovation and sharing culture

By using web-based discussion group it encourages knowledge sharing and discovering and also

helps to transform tacit knowledge into explicit or general information into specific Examples are

shown in the below table

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 51: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 49 of 72

Example Tacit Explicit

Repair AFC machine By hearing the abnormal sound

to determine the symptom

By following proper procedure

and drawing

Example General Specific

Isolate interface

problem

By power reset for individual

machine

By checking interface log file to

identify the root cause

10111 Use MTR Creators as E-Discussion Forum for AFC

Before 2009 the MTR Creators had never been applied for AFC knowledge sharing In Jan 2010 I

created the MMI home page and did the setup for AFC Please refer below Figures 13 and 14 for

details All staff are welcome to join as a Creator member They can post their interested topics and

contribute their views through the Discussion Forum They can also review the full collection of

discussions to learn what they needed If they found any useful documents during their discussion

they could download this document or store at the SharePoint Within the MTR Creators I acted as

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) role and my duty is to answer the question which was posted by my

staff and other teams Meanwhile I posted my interested topic to encourage knowledge sharing

activities among AFC staff Before starting the activities at MTR Creator I needed to do the following

setup

10112 Creating the MMI for AFC

In below Figure 13 and 14 I created the MMI and defined the content types and library zone which

are suitable for AFC application Additionally I uploaded concerned photos to facilitate equipment

identification and information search function in the MTR Creator In this E-Discussion platform any

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 52: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 50 of 72

staff could easily access their interested topic by using a Web browser and there is no permission

limitation for them

Figure 13 Figure 14

10113 Establish of Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) Group

In the below Figure 15 I was appointed as SMA and my duty is to answer questions for AFC which

was posted by my staff and other AFC team members More important I invited other expertise to

enlarge the SMA group My intention was to provide quality feedback to questioners In long run they

will feel that this setup is useful and beneficial to their work They will enjoy to post and share

knowledge in MTR Creators because they cannot find other ways (for example Wiki Yahoo

knowledge sharing etc) to share AFC knowledge Referring to the below Figure 15 I invited an

expertise from Revenue Section to join the SMA Referring to below Figure 16 staff posted their

interested topic to share the view from SMA

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 53: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 51 of 72

Figure 15 Figure 16

1012 Knowledge Management Mechanisms

10121 Mechanisms

Knowledge management mechanisms are organizational or structural means used to promote

knowledge management The aim is to achieve synergy effect in between technologies (SharePoint

and MTR Creators) and their works The mechanisms include the following items

- Table top exercise (as a means of transferring tacit knowledge through exercise and storytelling)

- cross-project learning (conduct Work Improvement Team project)

- after action reviews (as a means of sharing lesson learnt)

- knowledge mapping (a map of knowledge repositories within a department accessible by all)

- communities of practice (a group of staff who share an interest a craft andor a profession)

- build expert directories (to enable knowledge seeker to reach the experts)

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 54: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 52 of 72

- best practice transfer (as a means of sharing Best Practices during regular meetings)

- conduct competence management (systematic evaluation and planning of competences of

individual organization members)

- proximity and architecture (the physical situation of employees shall be conducive rather than

obstructive for knowledge sharing)

- master-apprentice relationship (by means of cross line attachment programme)

- measuring and reporting intellectual capital (making explicit knowledge for companies by

means of uploading documents to SharePoint)

In Dec 2009 I designed a Work Plan (refer Appendix 4) for AFC SDT The Work Plan had defined

the scope of work for them Please refer below table for task assigned to AFC working team in which

their tasks are linked with the knowledge management mechanisms

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp

analysis different hints to build another

view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose

improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in

procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault

record

- Modify or develop Work Instruction

(WI) in case of necessary

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 55: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 53 of 72

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures

for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of

necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job

training learn by doing learnt by

observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every

two weeks

1 To share procedures best practices and

lessons learned for AFC

2 Reuse of new procedures to support

troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member

need to collect and analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo

knowledge into procedures in centralize

electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit

forms such as words or power point

During job attachment each member

needs to conduct case study for all

equipment types Please refer Attachment

A for detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in

every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich

centralize electronic document system

10122 Why Motivation in Addition to KM

At the beginning of implementation and operations the degree of information at the E-document

library and E-discussion forum are not rich Besides staff may be reluctant to use the new systems

probably due to resistance of change no time or interest For this reason it is required to entice all key

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 56: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 54 of 72

stakeholders to use the systems at the beginning until the E-document library accumulated significant

useful documents and they get used to exchange information in the E-discussion forum A short win at

the beginning is important At this point staff may found that heshe can find a lot of AFC knowledge

over there More important there is no alternative way to fulfill this because of specific knowledge in

proprietary system Once they find it useful they will keep using these systems automatically In

contrast to a low informative systems it may be less attractive to staff As a result the new systems

may easily fade out Therefore it is a necessity to encourage staff to participate before during and

after KM implementation

Some staff may afraid of being redundant when his or her knowledge are known or shared with others

The reason is due to physiological needs hence job security must be satisfied before they feel

comfortable to share and discuss AFC matters within the community In this regard it is necessary to

conduct more communication with staff through formal or informal channels The aim is to let staff to

understand the goal setting of KM which is beneficial to their work staff development and the

corporationrsquos growth and survival Moreover KM involves personal development that individual can

equip oneself for better performance of current duties and prepare for future tasks This will also be

advantageous for promotion

Due to cultural difference Western style staff tends to be more open-minded and willing to share and

accept different views Conversely Chinese staff are comparatively conservative and intend to keep the

knowledge in their mind as personal asset In case of necessity (because they eventually need

supporting staff and succession plan etc) they prefer mentoring scheme to conduct knowledge transfer

To deal with this kind of people it is suggested to let them have a trial of KM and experience how the

new approaches are beneficial to them KM programs can yield impressive benefits to individuals and

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 57: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 55 of 72

organizations if they are purposeful concrete and action-oriented Once staff found that KM is useful

for them or once the habit of contributing sharing and accessing knowledge is instilled

incentivesmotivation techniques are no longer required

10123 Motivation in Action

Motivation and incentives are essential to accelerate the learning process and to drive cultural change

especially at the initial stage The implementation can be done by means of Management by

Objectives (MBO) through the below processes

Planning (referring to above 10121 the goal setting was achieved by clearly defining the job

specification)

Motivating (extrinsic motivation by means of rewards while intrinsic motivation by means of

releasing their concern on job security and redesigning work to make it more motivating)

Evaluating (during regular meetings and Annual Performance Appraisal)

Rewarding (link to scoring scheme for salary increment)

10124 Job Design

Referring to above Item 10121 job specifications are designed to let staff to experience

meaningfulness through skill variety task identity andor task significance For example staff needs

to analyze different hints to build other views to support troubleshooting to analyze failure trend and

to propose improvement actions etc In such a way staff can be motivated by redesigning the work

according to Job Characteristics Model

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 58: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 56 of 72

10125 Evaluating and Rewarding

The manager meets individual staff to develop and agree on employee objectives for the coming year

These objectives involved KM activities mentioned in the above Item 10121 and the job performance

are reviewed during the Annual Performance Appraisal Incentives include making content submission

mandatory and incorporating rewards into appraisal in scoring schemes of which the scores will affect

the percentage of salary increment

In the below table it was an example which was extracted from the Annual Performance Appraisal

Form In this example Mr Leung was appreciated by his professional in AFC and willing to share his

knowledge with others and he also uploaded his knowledge to SharePoint as intellectual capital for the

department I shown my appreciation of him and formally documented in the appraisal record As a

result Mr Leung was motivated and encouraged in KM activities

Comment from

Appraiser

Resource User

Mr Leung is an experienced staff with high proficiency in AFC He could

demonstrate himself to share AFC knowledge to other colleagues and

maintenance Contractor He maintained a document library in SharePoint

for the new equipment setup in Airport Express Line

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 59: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 57 of 72

11 Performance Evaluation amp Control

111 Aim and Objectives of the Research before Applying the KM

The aim of this research is to identify the areas of concern for those staff who are working for AFC

and seeking their view before applying KM The objectives of the research are to obtain data on

the affected areas and views from major stakeholders After applying KM another survey will be

carried out to evaluate the performance and subsequent fine tuning The second survey will be

executed to evaluate the achievement of objectives and benefits of KM The result will be used to

compare the performance before applying KM

1111 Research Method

Questionnaire is used to conduct this research The questionnaire consists of a set of questions

presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end questions are designed to

make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This method is considered more

effective in obtaining standardised results

1112 Questionnaire

Questionnaire (refer Appendix 2) was sent to respondents in Jan 2010 The research of obtaining

primary data was conducted in the form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand

their areas of concern the below areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Familiarization level for each kind of AFC equipment

- Training need analysis

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 60: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 58 of 72

- Specific requirement for equipment knowledge

- Prefer mechanisms technologies to be incorporated with knowledge management

1113 Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams of AFC The low sample size was due

to small scale of AFC maintenance and technical support staff The questionnaire was sent and

collected by Email A high response rate of primary research activities was anticipated mainly due

to same department and good relationship It was therefore recorded that 100 of the 22

questionnaire were returned

1114 Data Analysis

Primary data was collected from the questionnaire After analyzed 60 of staff are not familiar

with half of the AFC equipments Respondent requested more in-depth trainings which are

irrelative to operations maintenance and technical support Respondent wanted to acquire more

knowledge for new design and software development probably due to career development and

their own interests

The last question is designed to allow respondents to supplement what KM

mechanismstechnologies they preferred to enhance sharing creation capture and reuse of AFC

knowledge As this is an open-end question respondents can feedback their comment freely

After analyzed 17 respondents equal to 77 had no idea and 5 respondents replied their

suggestions as listed below

- Central E-document library

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 61: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 59 of 72

- Collaborative software like Yahoo knowledge chat room etc

- Web-based technologies

- More technical forum

- More technical training

For these five respondents interviews or informal chatting had been conducted The aim was to

understand the details and see whether they were aware of the recent change in Corporate E-Portal

since IT Department had launched the SharePoint and MTR Creators in 2008 and 2009

respectively Two out of five respondents replied that they did not aware of the change and the

remaining three replied that they did not know how to use probably due to the lack of

communication promotion and product customization It was proved that the data retrieved from

questionnaire were sufficient to reflect the presence and the requirements of major stakeholders

before applying KM in AFC The results reveal the areas of concern in suggestion of technologies

and mechanisms

112 Performance Evaluation amp Control after Applying the KM

The aim of this survey is to evaluate the performance achievement of objectives as well as the

benefits of KM which can provide a full view of AFC KM The result will be used to compare the

performance after applying KM and subsequent fine tuning

1121 Survey Method

The survey was conducted by means of questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of a set of

questions which presented to respondents in order to collect the primary data Closed-end

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 62: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 60 of 72

questions were designed to make it simple and easier for respondent to interpret and reply This

method is considered more effective in obtaining standardised results

1122 Questionnaire Data Source and Response

A sample of 22 staff was selected from two working teams In June 2010 the questionnaire (refer

Appendix 3) was sent to respondents and collected by Email Total 22 questionnaires had been

sent and 100 response was received The survey of obtaining primary data is conducted in the

form of self-administered questionnaires In order to understand their areas of concern the below

areas would form the basis to the primary research

- Effective and efficiency of KM mechanisms and technologies

- People related

- Processes related

- Product related

- Overall Performance

1123 Data Analysis

Total 22 questionnaires were returned After analyzed the distribution by different aspects of

benefits is shown in the following table (Refer to Question 1 to Question 2 of the Questionnaire)

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Effectiveness and efficiency of KMS

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 63: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 61 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

Mechanisms improves knowledge discovery

capture sharing and application

21 955

SharePoint improves knowledge capture sharing

and application

19 864

MTR Creator improves knowledge discovery and

sharing

15 682

People related

Facilitate employee learning 16 727

Causes employees to become more flexible 15 682

Enhances employeersquos job satisfaction 14 636

Process related

KM enables improvements in organizational

processes

18 818

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency 17 773

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel

fashion

14 636

Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or

improved products that provide a significant

additional value as compared with previous AFC

15 682

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 64: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 62 of 72

Distribution of the 22 staff by Benefits

Different aspects

No of

respondents

of

respondents

system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added

products due to the effect the latter has on

organizational process innovation

12 545

KM can have a significant impact on product that

are knowledge based like those in consulting

software development system design etc

13 591

Overall Performance and Business Objectives

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC 19 864

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource

of AFC maintenance service

17 773

KM ensures no operations impact during new

project or new stationline opening

15 682

KM significantly improves overall productivity and

sustainability for AFC

17 773

Referring to the above table it proved that higher percentage of respondents agreed that the KM

mechanisms and technologies improved sharing capture and knowledge reuse in AFC The overall

performance is satisfactory and all business objectives could be achieved For the aspect of

ldquoEffectiveness and Efficiency of KMSrdquo MTR Creators has relatively low percentage to be agreed

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 65: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 63 of 72

by respondents probably due to other issue In this regard I selected 6 respondents to conduct

informal chatting to understand the details Most of them commented that the MTR Creators have

no specific feature to attract them to use Meanwhile they though that Email and other similar

software (eg Yahoo knowledge etc) can also fulfil part of their requirements

1124 Qualitative Analysis

Besides qualitative measures were used by means of measuring of the number of messages in

MTR Creators and documents uploaded to SharePoint The measurement of the messages and

number of making explicit knowledge for companies through uploading documents to SharePoint

are as below

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Procedures 32 Feb-2010 17

Learned from on-job-training 7 Mar-2010 14

Best practices 4 Apr-2010 15

Incident report 6 May-2010 18

Near miss case report 1 Total 64

Lessons learned 3 Average 16

Improvement proposals 3

Drill exercise reports 2

Official training manual 8

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 66: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 64 of 72

Number of intellectual capital uploaded to

SharePoint

Number of messages posted to

MTR Creators

Equipment manual from new design system 12

Seminars 3

Technical Forum 3

Total 84

Referring to the above table numbers of document were uploaded to SharePoint from Feb 2010 to

May 2010 On the other hand the average numbers of messages posted to MTR Creators are 16

The utilization rate is not very high but still normal

113 Control and Fine Tuning for MTR Creators

Therefore I conducted a comparison with similar products The aim of this comparison is to

identify the areas of improvement for MTR Creator for my application The following table shows

the comparison between MTR Creator Internal Email and Yahoo knowledge

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Participants Login with real

name amp title

Login with name amp title Alias anonym

Accessibility Limit to internal

staff

Limit to specific group of

staff (eg expert of special

equipment) for discussion

Open to public

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 67: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 65 of 72

MTR Creators Internal Email Yahoo knowledge

Scoring System No membership

scoring scheme to

motivate

participation

No scoring scheme to

motivate participation

Scoring scheme is

applied to upgrade the

participants to higher

level once the solution

helps the questioner

Degree of

Informative

Low because of the

maturity of the

system

Medium subject to target

recipients

High due to numerous

participants

Publicity Low because staff

are not aware of the

system

High due to commonly

use by staff

High due to well-

established

1131 Analysis

Referring to the above table Email can be excluded I conduct further comparison on strength and

weakness for MTR Creators and Yahoo Knowledge as below

1132 MTR Creators

As participants need to disclose their names and titles to respond to their superiors during

knowledge sharing it may be easily misused as a tool for apple-polishing in an attempt to win

attention from their superiors

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 68: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 66 of 72

MTR Creator efforts typically focus on sharing of experience which overlaps with Email It may

be distinguished from that by a greater focus on the management of knowledge as a strategic asset

and a focus on encouraging the sharing of knowledge

1133 Yahoo Knowledge

Yahoo is a famous search engine which is commonly used Information can be uploaded or

downloaded by different users all over the world As a result the database is big enough and

informative The search engine is powerful and user friendly which can tempt userrsquos trial Besides

interesting MMI attracts users to surf the web As aliasanonym is applied participants are brave to

respondpost It helps to encourage participants to share their knowledge on-line Solution with

high hit rating will be treated as valuable knowledge

1134 Recommendation

After analyzed the improvement areas can be summarized as below

- Use alias anonym instead of real name

- Establish scoring scheme to encourage staff to participate

- More promotion

- Attractive MMI

Once staff found that MTR Creators is useful for them or once the habit of contributing sharing

and accessing knowledge is instilled the E-discussion forum will grow up and the degree of useful

information will be increased

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 69: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 67 of 72

12 Conclusion

There are many successful cases of application such as in Signaling and Safety amp Quality

Departments in precedence in MTR Management did aware of the importance of KM and is willing

to allocate resources to integrate strategy and advice regarding KM to departments In this context

KM efforts are often as a part of their business strategy information technology and human

resource management The SharePoint and MTR Creators had been launched in Q3 of 2008 and in

the end 2009 respectively Due to the lack of promotion and difficulties of IT setup the deployment

is slow and utilization rate is low

Thus I tried to make use of these resources and existing infrastructures I did the setup

customization and administrative work for AFC This project had implemented two web-based

products ie E-document library and E-discussion forum in line with KM mechanisms and both

combined to have synergy effect As a result these KM efforts assist individuals and groups to share

valuable organizational insights to reduce redundant work to reduce training time for new

employees to retain intellectual capital as employees turnover in an organization and to become

more adaptive to changing environments and markets

In this project knowledge management efforts focus on business objectives such as maintain key

knowledge for AFC ensure no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service and

ensure no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening According to the

performance evaluation results all business objectives could be achieved Besides KM improved

productivity sustainability performance competitive advantage innovation the sharing of lessons

learned integration and continuous improvement of the organization

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 70: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 68 of 72

In conclusion organization can enjoy benefits from better KM resulting from an explicit focus on

organizational knowledge as a strategic resource in order to build organizational capabilities in

improving customer service faster problem solving and more rapid adaptation to market or

environmental changes

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 71: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 69 of 72

Appendix 1 - Reference

1 Stephen P Robbins and Mary Coulter (2005) Management Pearson Prentice Hall

2 Becerra-Fernandez Avelino Gonzalez and Rajiv Sabherwal (2004) Knowledge

Management (Challenges Solutions and Technologies) Pearson Prentice Hall

3 Nonaka Ikujiro (1991) The knowledge creating company Harvard Business Review 69

(6 Nov-Dec) 96ndash104

4 Wright Kirby (2005) Personal knowledge management supporting individual knowledge

worker performance Knowledge Management Research and Practice 3 (3) 156ndash165

doi101057palgravekmrp8500061

5 Morey Daryl Maybury Mark Thuraisingham Bhavani (2002) Knowledge Management

Classic and Contemporary Works Cambridge MIT Press p 451

httpmitpressmiteducatalogitemdefaultaspttype=2amptid=8987

6 Karl Wiig (2004) People- Focused Knowledge Management retrieved from

httpwwwbizsumcom2pageb_People-FocusedKnowledgeManagementphp [Accessed

on 28 November 2009]

7 Gary Johns Alan MSaks (2008) Organizational Behaviour Pearson Prentice Hall

8 httpenwikipediaorgwikiKnowledge_management [access on 8 July 2010]

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 72: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 70 of 72

Appendix 2 ndash Questionnaire for AFC Equipment Knowledge

Not Familiar

Please tick as appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 Yes No

ATampDGate (DRLMERGAEL and TCL CTS)

TIM (NGTIMAELTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD AEL AD)

OCP (POS600POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (URL MPRTKE MPR)

TKLGate (MERG)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (Ultra 60)

MPR (TKE MPR)

WRLGate (Thales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

URLGate (CGACWDCTSMERGKMLThales)

TIM (NGTIM)

AVM (Mini-AVMURL AVM)

AD (Mini AD)

OCP (POS662)

SAS (SUN Fire V240)

MPR (URL MPR)

ERLGate (TripodThales)

TIM (TVM)

AVM (Ascom AVMERG AVM)

OTP

SAC

PNP

MPP

LRLGate (PCP)

TIM (Autelca TVM Cubic TVM)

AVM (ERG AVM)

OCP (OTP)

SAS (SDC)

Name Staff ID Date

What knowledge is

needed for training

course

Please write your

requirement in

below dotted line

Attended

Training at

OTD

Familiar

Please write your

recommendation in

below dotted line

What mechanisms

technologies are needed

to getshare the

knowledge

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 73: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 71 of 72

Appendix 3 - Questionnaire for Performance Evaluation

For below mechanisms and technologies for AFC please tick as appropriate for the below questions

Mechanisms Technologies

(1) Learning by doing observation face-to-face meetings professional training mentoring programs and on-the-job training

(2) Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures and stores into SharePoint

(3) To transform tacit into explicit and general into specific knowledge (4) Through SharePoint amp Creators to share experience case study

improvement proposals training material drill exercise report procedures best practices and lessons learned

(5) To reuse useful knowledge documents stored in SharePoint

(1) Apply SharePoint as web-based document-management system to share capture stores and reuse useful knowledge documents

(2) Apply MTR Creators (web-

based discussion groups) to share knowledge for AFC

1 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to your work

The mechanisms improves knowledge discovery capture sharing and application

SharePoint improves the effectiveness efficiency for capture sharing amp application

MTR Creators improves the effectiveness efficiency for knowledge discovery amp sharing

2 The above mechanisms and technologies benefits to the below areas

1 People related

KM facilitates employee learning

KM causes employees to become more flexible

KM enhances employeersquos job satisfaction

2 Processes related

KM enables improvements in organizational processes

KM improves the effectiveness and efficiency

KM facilitates the process in a creative and novel fashion

3 Product related

KM helps organizations offer new products or improved products that provide a

significant additional value as compared with previous AFC system

KM also benefits organizations in value-added products due to the effect the latter

has on organizational process innovation

KM can have a significant impact on product that are knowledge based like those in

consulting software development system design etc

4 Overall Performance

KM maintains the key knowledge for AFC

KM ensures no operations impact during outsource of AFC maintenance service

KM ensures no operations impact during new project or new stationline opening

KM significantly improves overall productivity and sustainability for AFC

Other comment (if any)

Personal information (The information provided is only used for this survey and will not be disclosed)

NameTitle

Telephone No

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 74: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

Improving Productivity amp Sustainability Through KMS

Page 72 of 72

Appendix 4 - AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT) Work Plan

AFC Special Duty Team (AFCSDT)

Work Plan

Prepare by

Calvin Lau MSE-ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 75: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

Table of Content

1 Objective 1

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT 1

3 Training and Development 1

4 Reporting 1

5 Main Tasks 2

6 Working arrangement 2

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor 3

8 Individual Task 4

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme 5

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment 6

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 76: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 1 of 6

1 Objective

AFC SDT is formed in order to excel the maintenance of AFC equipment and

system in MTR and to train up new SMT members that will be recruited in next

few years due to staff retirement and network expansion

2 Timeframe for Establishment of the AFCSDT

One SMT staff of Senior Technician or Technician grade will be selected from

each of the following line to join the AFCSDT The timeframe is as follows

Line Commencement date Name

WRL Jan 2010

ERL Jan 2010

ATampD Feb 2010

TKL Feb 2010

URL March 2010

LRL March 2010

3 Training and Development

Staff will be arranged to attend AFC training courses at OTD for other

equipment systems and other related supervisory courses

Staff will also be arranged cross-line job attachment to familiarize with other

equipment systems

4 Reporting

Each staff will rotate to work at every line for three months and under the

supervision of mentors The mentors are as follows

Line Mentors

WRL amp LRL

ERL amp MOL

URL

ATampD

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 77: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 2 of 6

5 Main Tasks

Assist to supervise and monitor the performance of Maintenance Business

Partner through conducting random site inspection safety system activity

audits

Assist in major AFC incident recovery and implementation of follow up

actions including software downloading

Assist in system upgrading works to coordinate and monitor station trial and

roll out (eg implementation of SJSC URL gate GAK Board Replacement

etc)

Assist to carry out technical investigation failure trend analysis asset

condition survey RCM amp etc

Assist to conduct AFC related training and coaching to both in-house staff

and business partner

Highlight and share lessons learnt from past incident and assist in

implementation of improvement actions best practice with SMT and

business partner

Facilitate development review of maintenance amp technical documents WI

local instructions etc

Coordinate SMT and business partner to conduct drills and exercises

Participate in AFC related WIT and other staff functions activities

6 Working arrangement

AFCSDT will be assigned to work for different lines (cross-line attachment) under

respective line MSE-AFC supervision However special and ad hoc arrangement

will also be made to provide assistance in incident recovery technical

investigation and implementation of system upgrading works

AFCSDT will work in normal office hour AFCSDT shall follow the working

hours to be agreed with mentors However AFCSDT may also be arranged to

work in special hours when needed

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 78: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 3 of 6

7 Relationship with SMT and Contractor

AFCSDT is not responsible for site equipment failure rectification AFCSDT will

assist in diagnostic and performing technical investigation and follow-up of

remedial and improvement works

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 79: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 4 of 6

8 Individual Task

Apart from the roles and responsibility mentioned in section 5 each member will be assigned individual task during cross line job attachment

programme Please refer Attachment A B and below table for details

Job nature Mechanisms Individual task to be assigned

CM Search existing fault record to combine amp analysis different hints

to build another view to support troubleshooting Eg

1 Analysis failure trend and propose improvement actions

2 Utilize of knowledge embedded in procedures that guide future

troubleshooting

- Analysis EAMS and contractor fault record

- Modify or develop WI in case of necessary

PMOH Reviewestablish maintenance procedures for routine work

Modify or develop PMOH WI in case of necessary

Cross line

attachment

Job rotation across department on-the-job training learn by doing

learnt by observation and meeting

Conduct meeting with mentor in every two weeks

3 To share procedures best practices and lessons learned for

AFC

4 Reuse of new procedures to support troubleshooting

During job attachment each team member need to collect and

analysis

- All concerned procedure

- All major investigation reports

- Improvement initiative

1 Capture and transfer of expertsrsquo knowledge into procedures in

centralize electronic document system

2 Convert AFC knowledge into explicit forms such as words or

power point

During job attachment each member needs to conduct case

study for all equipment types Please refer Attachment A for

detail Each member needs to

- Conduct presentation to mentors in every 6 months

- Submit presentation materials to enrich centralize electronic

document system

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 80: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 5 of 6

Attachment A ndash Cross Line Attachment Programme

YearMonth

(URL Tech)

(TKL Sr Tech)

(WRL Sr Tech)

(ERL Tech)

(ATampD Tradesman)

TBC

Working Hours 0830-1754 (42 hours per 5-day week)

Lunch Hours 1200-1300

Note = Familiarization at TSY office

WRL TKL LRL ATampD

Name Mar

1-2

EAL amp MOL

Nov Dec

Year 2010 Year 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 - 31

Apr May Jun

ATampD

EAL amp MOL TKL

URL - KTL2 ATampD

ATampD

WRL EAL amp MOL LRL

LRL

LRL

EAL amp MOL

LRL

LRL

URL - KTL1

URL - TWL3

URL - TWL2

ATampD WRL

WRL

TKL

ATampD TKL WRL

EAL amp MOL

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR

Page 81: Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through Knowledge ...lbms03.cityu.edu.hk/oaps/cb2010-6700-lwc631.pdf · Improving Productivity & Sustainability Through KMS Page 1 of 72 1

AFCSDT Work Plan

28 Dec 2009 Page 6 of 6

Attachment B ndash Case Study for Cross Line Attachment

The presentation material shall be included but not limited to below items

1) Brief equipment overview

2) Brief CM PM amp OH activities

3) SRN workflow how to mitigate problem amp contingency fallback

4) Key take away

ATampD TKL WRL URL ERL LRL

Gate KML

MERG

CTS

MERG Thales KML

MERG

CTS

CGA

CWD

Tripod

Thales

PCP

TIM TIM

AELTIM

TIM TVM TIM TVM Autelca

TVM

Cubic

TVM

AVM Mini

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

AVM

Mini

AVM

Ascom

AVM

ERG

AVM

ERG

AVM

AD Mini AD

AEL AD

Mini AD Mini AD

OCP POS600

POS662

POS662 OTP POS662 OTP OTP

SAS Ultra 60 Ultra 60 SAC SUN Fire

V240

SAC SDC

MPR URL MPR

TKL

MPR

TKL MPR URL

MPR