Reber Informatik identified three knowledge areas for investigation: document management on Confluence and fileshare, tapping tacit knowledge, and product-related document management. The aim of the Bachelor thesis was twofold: first determine one of the three areas for further investigation and second, analysing that knowledge area in depth in order to suggest approaches for solutions. Hence, the following thesis was formulated: “It is possible to identify knowledge management needs based on knowledge maps and to develop specific opportunities for improvement of one selected area.”

Chosen approach for the thesis is the methodology of Action Research with two iterations. In the first loop, one of three knowledge areas was selected for further investigation. The artefacts created in this loop were knowledge maps, a list of weaknesses and criteria for the selection of the focus area. The second loop investigated the selected area of document management in detail and identified requirements for a solution approach. The artefacts in the second loop were a list of requirements, a list of weaknesses in document management and an approach for knowledge management improvement.

The bachelor thesis provides an overview of problems in knowledge management at Reber Informatik. The performed analysis allowed to determine and rank needs for action. Document management was chosen as the focus area because it can build the starting point for later improvements in knowledge management. Based on literature research and workshops with practitioners, weaknesses and approaches for improvement were identified. The results achieved within the bachelor thesis can build the basis for further work. As Reber Informatik wishes to take organisational measures, before investing in new technical solutions such as a document management system, next steps will be the analysis of all their documents (document types) and the folder structure the documents were stored in. Based on the analysis, organisational measurements like naming conventions or guidelines for document handling (e.g. archiving or deletion of documents) can be defined. Hence, the bachelor thesis provides an interpretive chart of knowledge management challenges in general and suggestions for document management in particular. Both together build a basis from where to start with knowledge management in the future.