The Level of Knowledge Management Practices and Barriers to Implement Knowledge Management in IT Projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Knowledge is a critical asset in an organization. New knowledge created while doing projects. IT projects are purely knowledge base projects. It is important to practicing knowledge management within IT projects to capture, store and review knowledge created while doing the project. This research is to identify the level of knowledge management practice within IT projects, what are the barriers to implement the knowledge management and what are the prerequisites to make the knowledge management implementation a success within project organization. A qualitative research approach uses in this research and data collected using semi structured interviews from 15 project managers. The data collected from completed IT projects in telecommunication industry. The code matching method use to analyze the data. The results reveal that knowledge management practicing within IT projects moderately. Further main barriers to implement knowledge management are, limitation of time, additional resources required for knowledge management activities, project culture, lack of leadership and project organization. When considering the prerequisites to implement knowledge management within IT project environment, it is revealed that, incentive schemes, leadership, and establishment of required infrastructure are main prerequisites to implement a successful knowledge management.