ENN510 Engineering Knowledge Management

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit acknowledges knowledge as a key asset of an organisation, and introduces Knowledge Management (KM) as an innovative process that needs to be closely aligned to organisational goals.  The unit introduces critical building blocks of a KM system. All engineering managers must have the fundamental skills and knowledge to understand, design, develop, and manage KM systems in an organization. This unit provides the basic knowledge and skills to understand the complex issues of KM that are essential to the career advancement of engineering managers. In addition, the unit also introduces:

a. organizational culture and organizational behavioral changes that are needed to transform a traditional organization into a knowledge-oriented enterprise.

b. digital technologies to deliver efficient access to and utilisation of knowledge.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify the concepts of engineering knowledge management applicable to an organisation
2. Design and develop a knowledge management system for an organisation
3. Apply methodologies related to engineering knowledge management, such as knowledge identification, knowledge development, knowledge representation and knowledge distribution
4. Analyse information provided through case studies and knowledge management systems such as ShareSYS.
5. Apply the principles of the life cycle of knowledge management systems

Content

Learning Approaches

Teaching Mode: Hours per week
Lectures: 2
Facilitated group project work: 1.

Learning Approaches:
Your learning in this unit will take place through a series of lectures, tutorials and peer interactions through teamwork and presentations. You will be provided with a number of case studies, detailing information relevant to knowledge management in different organisations. The group projects and presentation will progressively draw on knowledge obtained from these case studies. Group and self-learning skills will be developed through the proposed knowledge management project.

Professional knowledge engineers and knowledge managers drawn from local organisations will give guest lectures as part of this unit. Lectures will provide the knowledge base required for this unit and will be supported by student-centred tutorials and case studies. The knowledge gained in lectures will be reinforced by application in projects on the development of knowledge management systems. You will be required to work together effectively in order to accomplish the given tasks related to both project and presentation.

This unit makes use of a range of inter-related teaching and learning strategies. The assessment instruments used in this unit are designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the objectives of this unit. Importantly, the assessment has not been included for the sake of it - careful consideration has been given to the fact that students have different learning styles and different demands on their time.

The time and effort that you put into the learning activities will determine how much you learn during this semester, as well as improving your capacity for lifelong learning as you continue your study program and your professional development. Staff and student interaction will allow you to gain the educational benefit of theoretical discussion related to contemporary practice and implementation of engineering knowledge management in a professional context.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided during class discussions, by comments on the seminar, and by the lecturers' responses to your queries during the semester, both within and outside of classes. Class time will be allocated to the discussion of assessment work in progress.

Assessment

Overview

Overview of Assessment:
Assessment will be formative involving an emphasis on constructive and progressive feedback using a criterion referencing approach. Your performance in the unit will be assessed through three items of assessment due at specified times in the semester.

Formative Assessment:
Assessment Type: Ongoing
Weighting: Nil

Participation in class discussion forms part of the formative assessment in the unit. Formative assessment will also be provided during class discussions, by comments on the seminar, and by the lecturers' responses to your queries during the semester, both within and outside of classes. Class time will be allocated to the discussion of assessment work in progress.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Knowledge Management Project

Summative Assessment:
Assessment type: Group Project
You will be required to submit the problem case study which specifically targets the development of a knowledge management system for a particular application.

This is an assignment/case study for the purposes of an extension of your knowledge for solving a real-world problem.

Assessment: Mid-Semester Exam

Assessment Type: Assessment 2 -Mid-Semester Exam 

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Assessment: Examination (written)

Regular paper-based exam including both short answer questions and extended answer questions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

1. G. Probst, S. Raub and K. Romhardt, (2001) Managing Knowledge – Building Blocks for Success, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., NY.
2. S. Kermally, (2002) Effective Knowledge Management – A Best Practice Blueprint, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3. P. Sydanmaanlakka, (2002) An Intelligent Organisation – Integrating Performance, Competence and Knowledge Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Brisbane.
4. T.H. Davenport, and G.J.B. Probst (2002) Knowledge Management Case Book: Siemens Best Practices, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., NY.
5. G Guida and C Tassp, (1995) Design and Development of Knowledge-Based Systems, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., NY
6. Shelda Debowski, (2006) Knowledge Management, John Willey & Sons Ltd. Brisbane, Australia

Risk Assessment Statement

In general, there will be no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. However, if you are spending part of your time for this project in the work place participating in a range of activities associated with professional practice you should make yourself familiar with the organisation's workplace health and safety plan/s. In addition, you should ensure that any relevant safety courses and safety permits/cards (such as site safety cards) have been attended or attained prior to participating in regulated activities such as site visits.

Additional Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

BN87 Master of Engineering Management

1. Apply advanced engineering management knowledge, concepts and practices in managing engineering systems and assets
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Mid-Semester Exam, Examination (written)
2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering management problems to achieve research informed solutions
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5
3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering management project
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Knowledge Management Project, Examination (written)
4. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non-specialist audiences.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Knowledge Management Project
5. Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering management decision making and professional accountability .
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5

EN55 Master of Professional Engineering

1. Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project, Mid-Semester Exam, Examination (written)
2. Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project, Examination (written)
3. Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering project.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project
4. Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project

EN60 Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

1. Demonstrate and apply specialised knowledge and technical skills in at least one Engineering discipline.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project, Mid-Semester Exam, Examination (written)
2. Critically investigate real world engineering issues and solve complex problems drawing on specialised creative skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, theory and practice.
   Relates to: Mid-Semester Exam, Examination (written)
3. Employ effective written and oral professional communication skills across social, cultural and discipline domains.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project
4. Exercise responsibility and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice including working independently, ethically and collaboratively.
   Relates to: Knowledge Management Project