Description
Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY
• This assignment is a groupassignment.
• Each group will consist of 3-5 Students only.
• DUE DATE FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 IS (06/12/2025) 11:59 P.M
• THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLY IN WORD FORMAT VIA ALLOCATED FOLDER.
• ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED THROUGH EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE THEIR WORK CLEAR AND WELL PRESENTED, MARKS MAY BE REDUCED FOR POOR PRESENTATION. THIS INCLUDES FILLING YOUR INFORMATION ON THE COVER PAGE.
• STUDENTS MUST MENTION QUESTION NUMBER CLEARLY IN THEIR ANSWER.
• LATE SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No exceptions.
• All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered plagiarism).
Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.
ASSIGNMENT-3 (Group Assignment)
Course Learning Outcomes-Covered
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Define the different Knowledge types and explain how they are addressed by knowledge management in different business environments. |
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Demonstrate effective knowledge management skills to utilize knowledge management tools for the benefits of the organization. |
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Demonstrate ability to work with others effectively as a team member in knowledge management projects, related to case studies. |
Case Study Assignment: The “Alpha” Project at XYZ Dynamics
Overview
For this Assignment, you must examine a real-world company situation with an emphasis on typical knowledge management (KM) problems, particularly the capturing anddissemination of explicit and tacit knowledge. You will take on the role of a knowledge management consultant who has been engaged to suggest solutions to XYZ Dynamics.
The Scenario
XYZ Dynamics, a mid-sized engineering firm, specializes in bespoke hydraulic systems. They have a long history of success built on the expertise of their senior engineers. The firm recently initiated the “Alpha” project to build a centralized digital repository of all company knowledge.
Key Players and Context:
• Mr. Ahmad (Chief Engineer): A 30-year veteran, highly respected, who can diagnose complex machinery issues simply by “listening” to them. He rarely writes anything down.
• Mr. Ibrahim (KM Project Manager): Tasked with leading the Alpha project, is technically proficient but struggles with organizational resistance.
• The Junior Engineers: Eager to learn but lack hands-on, intuitive understanding of the senior staff.
The Current Situation:
1. Tacit Knowledge Loss: Several senior engineers are nearing retirement. Their “tribal knowledge “the intuitive understanding, lessons learned from past failures, and subtle operational tricks—is not documented anywhere. Mr. Ahmad often says, “You can’t put experience in a manual.”
2. Explicit Knowledge Silos: Existing documentation (manuals, reports, designs) is scattered across different servers, departmental shared drives, and personal computers. There is no standardized format or easy search function.
3. Resistance to the Alpha: Senior engineers view the “Alpha” as a waste of time, preferring face-to-face communication. Junior engineers find the existing documentation overwhelming and difficult to apply in real-world scenarios.
4. Inefficient Dissemination: A recent project failed due to a repeated errorfrom three years ago. The original failure analysis report existed as an explicit knowledge artifact, but nobody knew where to find it or that it even existed.
Assignment Tasks
As an external KM consultant, prepare a formal report addressing the following questions:
1. Knowledge Analysis (2 Points)
• Explain the concept of “Tacit and Explicit Knowledge”.
• Identify and classify specific examples of tacit and explicit knowledge within XYZ Dynamics’ scenario.
• Explain how the current challenges relate to the core issues of knowledge capture and dissemination.
2. Tacit Knowledge Solutions (3 Points)
• Propose at least three specific strategies for effectively capturing the tacit knowledge held by senior engineers like Mr. Ahmad. Focus on mechanisms that go beyond simple documentation (e.g., mentorship programs, exit interviews, communities of practice).
3. Explicit Knowledge Solutions (2 Points)
• Recommend solutions to improve the dissemination and accessibility of explicit knowledge currently trapped in silos. Address the lack of standardization and the searchability issue.
4. Addressing Resistance (1.5 Points)
• Develop a brief change strategy to overcome the cultural resistance and encourage all employees, especially the senior staff, to participate in the “Alpha” project and knowledge sharing in general.
5. Conclusion (1.5 Points)
• Summarize the anticipated benefits of implementing your recommendations for XYZ Dynamics’ long-term success.
Deliverables
• A formal business report (approx. 1,700 – 2,000 words).
• Structure your report with clear headings, an executive summary, and recommendations.
