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and so on. Eventually, to make this framework applicable in real projects detailed definitions have been provided for its activities. Possessing detail definition for
activities is a reasonable justification for choosing this framework. These definitions are used to provide link between the knowledge and the framework activities. To
provide this linkage, performed activities by concept design team members will be compared with detail definitions for Macmillan 2001 framework. In this way, the
exchanged knowledge during team members’ activities can be related to the Macmillan framework activities. Then, Macmillan activity-based framework will be
extended to a knowledge-based framework.
As far as the problem, which this research attempts to address, is concerned, two essential issues are involved in relation with the knowledge during conceptual design
stage: 1 the knowledge, and 2 the step in the conceptual design stage for which the knowledge needs to be captured. Regarding these two aspects, this study is
reminiscent of the repertory grid function See Section 2.3.3 which uses a grid to rate elements regarding their associated attributes. Using a relational-matrix, which
borrows its structure from repertory grid technique, the required knowledge during conceptual design phase could be explicated. To provide this matrix, activities of
Macmillan 2001 conceptual design framework will be the first entry of this matrix. To determine the second entity of the matrix, a tacit knowledge capture technique
will be used to capture the experts’ knowledge. Finally, the studied literature revealed that the conceptual design phase is a problematic stage in building projects. Since
Macmillan framework focuses on this stage, this framework can be an appropriate choice for the study.
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2.5 Theoretical Framework
Scholars such as Fenevis 2000 and Austin 2001 have emphasized on the conceptual design phase as an important phase in the design process of building
projects. This phase is ideally multidisciplinary in which the flow of knowledge tends to be problematic. Moreover, the study agrees with Ibrahim and Paulson 2005 that
the conceptual design stage is tacit-dominant with many professionals involved. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to focus on capturing experts’ tacit knowledge
during the conceptual design stage.
Nissen 2006 multidimensional model examined the movement of knowledge between experts considering knowledge typology. He has stated that experts’
knowledge, which is transferred to other people to enable them to do their tasks, is of the tacit type. Then, in the next step the knowledge is converted to explicit type and
formalized Annotated as “Existing flow proposed by Nissen” in Figure 2.6. Nonaka 1995 stated that tacit knowledge is difficult to formalize and share. Considering
this, the study proposes that if researcher could convert tacit knowledge when it is moving from an individual to a group, we can save the time for the next step which is
the formalizing step Annotated as “Proposed flow by this study” in Figure 2.6. Time saving causes to merge two steps and shortens the flow time Nissen, 2006 of
the explicit knowledge.
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Figure 2.6. Proposed Status to Convert Tacit Knowledge to Explicit
Source: Nissen, 2006
Referring to the literature for knowledge conversion process see 2.3.2, there are two main elements to capture knowledge: 1 one is the knowledge which has to be
converted and, 2 a proper technique to do this conversion. Because, this study is concerned with the knowledge required during the conceptual design phase, therefore
we need to be more focused on this stage. Toward this goal, existing models for this stage have been examined to choose an appropriate one. Indeed, this study attempts
to provide a linkage between the required knowledge and the conceptual design activities. Therefore, selected models have to include sufficient details for the
activities. To this end, after comparing existing models, Macmillan 2001 framework
Explicit
Tacit Existing Flow
proposed by Nissen 2006
Proposed Flow by this
study
