Knowledge Management in engineering: supporting analysis and design processes in innovative industries

In this paper we describe knowledge management in engineering. In the WISE project we have investigated the needs of engineers, involved in analysis and design processes in large innovative industries. We focus on the reuse of knowledge, on how knowledge can be found, understood, reused in a new context, and stored. A knowledge portal has been developed which gives a single access to all kinds of different knowledge sources and tools. This application provides support in areas such as structuring the work environment, accessing tools and knowledge sources, contextualising knowledge, annotating, tracing knowledge use and collaboration.