Knowledge transfer from building operation to construction.

Purpose: To investigate how knowledge that derives from operation and maintenance of buildings can be stored and transferred in order to be reused in a future building project? Design/methodology/approach: The paper is theoretically based on knowledge management with a particular focus on interdepartmental knowledge transfer between departments responsible for
operation and management and departments responsible for building projects in organisations with large and fast changing building portfolios. The paper includes a case study of the FM organisation of the Technical University of Denmark with data collection mainly by interviews with managers and staff in the relevant departments in this organisation. Findings: The case organisation seems to be aware of the importance of sharing and transferring their organisational knowledge. Over the last five years, the organisation has developed different tools and adopted several processes, aiming to the integration of the knowledge they possess from many years of operation and maintenance of the existing buildings. However, there are many situations, where the tools and processes do not work efficiently, and therefore the knowledge transfer is not sufficiently effective. It is apparent that the best results can be achieved only if the different actors involved in a construction project collaborate aiming towards the same objectives. Originality/value: The paper presents and evaluates a case of interdepartmental knowledge transfer
in an organisation, which has a strong focus on improving the interconnections between building operation and planning new building projects.