Optimizing Construction Knowledge Integration in Offshore Wind Projects

Abstract

'Construction Knowledge' is the requisite knowledge for effective and efficient construction and its use in project processes across project lifecycle for better constructability is 'Construction Knowledge Integration (CKI)'. Past researches show that there is limited integration of construction knowledge in preparation stages of the project since these are carried out by different project teams. Hence, limited integration of construction knowledge in the realm of 'Offshore Wind' projects is the main problem being addressed in this research and optimizing it is the primary objective. The scope of this research is limited to optimizing CKI in the engineering & management processes of foundations in OW projects as these remain a major 'Balance of Plant' component executed by the primary contractor. This research gathered its data through desk research (literature study) and case studies of three ongoing OW projects. The former was aimed at finding the key concepts related to CKI which support its optimization. Literature study confirmed the importance of CKI in early stages, integrating construction knowledge from a mix of relevant sources and practices. The case study was aimed at finding the existing regime of CKI in OW projects and the key issues which hinder CKI. Case data was mainly gathered through 12 semi structured interviews of project staff. It revealed that the current regime was highly informal, with high reliance on use of lessons learned data and limited integration of knowledge from fabrication, installation and past/ongoing projects. The key issues hindering CKI were found to be lack of standard protocol for knowledge integration activities and lack of integrated knowledge database which hindered knowledge retrieval, sharing and creation. The recommendations were devised for all issues that had a causal or correlational linkage with the two key issues, where the main outline was to formalize knowledge integration efforts and recommend an essential setting for an integrated knowledge database. These recommendations also address the missing link to essential knowledge sources in the current regime. Complementing the detailed recommendations to each specific issue, this research recommends the offshore wind sector to formalize CKI efforts using a mix of tools and practices, focus on integrating relevant sources of knowledge, specially fabrication knowledge and realize and share the importance of construction knowledge integration in projects.