Process-oriented Knowledge Management within the Product Change Systems of the Automotive Industry

The following paper extends the literature of process-oriented knowledge management. It describes the continuous increase of complexity within the product change management of the automotive industry (e.g. variety of products, globally positioned production sites, dynamic customer needs and regulations). This environment combined with less process-oriented systems requires an intense practice of experience-based knowledge that is not available to everyone at all times and thus leads to reduced project performance. Furthermore, it illustrates a new procedural understanding of knowledge activities and its application within a project at a German car manufacturer (Volkswagen AG). The application of this understanding in response to the challenges is accomplished by systems engineering. The result is an ergonomically created product change management system with decreasing need for experience-based knowledge, evolutional character, increased process quality and reduced processing times