1998; Egbu et al. 1999). Failure to capture and transfer knowledge generated within one
project, which is usually buried in unread reports and arcane filing systems, or lost because
people move on, leads to wasted activity and impaired project performance.
This paper explores the information technology (IT) and contextual issues involved in
formulating an appropriate knowledge management strategy for construction organisations. It
begins with basic definitions of knowledge and knowledge management, and then emphasises
the importance of knowledge management in a construction setting. The paper also examines
the role of information technology (IT) as an enabler for knowledge management. The
concluding section of the paper formulates guidelines that will enable construction
organisations to more appropriately develop IT and knowledge management strategies that
will enable them to improve their business performance.