Simulation in Diagnosing and Redesigning Knowledge Transfer Systems in the Offshore Oil Industry

Abstract

How can simulations help diagnosing and redesigning knowledge transfer (KT) systems? This paper addresses this research question and discusses how simulations carried out over a set of workshops helped diagnosing and redesigning KT from operations to engineering design in a study involving an offshore oil company. During three simulation activities, end-users participated in a multi-voiced diagnosis of KT challenges and in a cross-organizational development of new solutions for KT systems. The participatory and interactive approach on the workshops brought participants of different professional worlds together to discuss and negotiate the possible solutions for improving the existing KT from offshore rigs’ operation to onshore engineering design of new rigs. Participatory simulations helped (1) validating a conceptual model for KT from operations to engineering design and (2) developing a set of requirements for redesigning these KT systems. The outcome was a KT model based on the main challenges and presenting practical solutions to face them.