The identification of critical knowledge and the ability to utilize and transfer it is a challenge for any multi-project organization. This paper aims to propose a structured model, grounded on the Value Analysis (VA) methodology, to support knowledge transfer and decision making in multi-project environment. Since most of studies on VA deal with single, independent projects, they miss to explain how the base of knowledge acquired and created during the execution of one VA project can be transferred and used in following projects. Instead, it is plausible to presume that certain knowledge on materials, working methods and design solutions the VA team acquired and created during one project can be transferred and re-used when designing another system.
The model this research proposes has been developed and validated through an action research, with researchers working in close contact with managers involved in developing the pipeline systems for a large cruise ship. Ship building products is the ideal field for multi-project management, because several VA projects need to be launched during each ship construction. The implementation of VA to improve several subsystems in a cruise ship led to the creation of a software application that facilitates knowledge transfer among VA projects, through the formalization of a shared knowledge database.
