Developing an On-Line Institutional Memory in an Engineering Environment

Through the use of computer technologies, engineering communities can now efficiently capture relevant engineering knowledge from recognized experts. Once recorded in computer memories, engineers can then learn from and contribute to the computerized knowledge base. Many automotive companies have or are using computers to store electronic files of data associated with: regulatory requirements, warranty analysis, finance, and human resources. A very important area which may be easily neglected is the engineering of subcomponent design. Interior subcomponent design is an area which is a prime candidate for maintaining an institutional memory. The design of instrument panels, consoles, gloveboxes, cubholders, etc., is both dynamic and challenging; thanks to the ever increasing use of plastic materials and the increasing need for aesthetic and functional perfection. By recording the expert knowledge and providing an environment to properly share the information, engineering communities can improve on the past and avoid repeating previous mistakes.