Management Information Systems

14.01.2013

Knowing the Drill:Virtual Teamwork at BP

Outline

1. What pilot system did BP implement? Why was it important

for BP?

2. What are BP’s benefits? What other branches could profit

from this kind of KM?

3. How VT has changed operational processes at BP?

4. The possible use of KM solutions described in the case in the

educational field.

BP’s activities

source: http://www.bp.com

Pilot project

• Reorganization -> 42 business assets -> communication is essential

• Pilot project “Virtual Teamwork”

• Project design:

o independent group

(from diverse parts of the company)

o objective: behavior and work pattern change

(not just technology)

o start: December 1994

Pilot project

• “Client” Package:

o videoconferencing equipment

o multimedia e-mail

o application sharing and so on

• Connection: ISDN, satellite link

• Goals:

o improved decision-making

o cost reduction

o compliance to schedules

o creative problem-solving

BP’s benefits

• Guidance and Support

• Collaboration across time, distance,

organizational structure barriers

• Efficiency in achievement of

business goals and decision making

• Creativity

• Synergies in a federation of assets

BP’s benefits (cont.)

• Reducing time for problem identification

and solution

• Less miscommunication

• Lower expenses: reduction of travelling,

number of meetings

• More trust and valuable commitments

• Compressed time frames

• Meeting target dates

Other benefiting branches

• Within BP:

o Across organizational barriers

o Especially connecting finished projects with new ones (oil

platforms) to use gained knowledge better learning curve

o Work in new ways: every asset (of 42)

o Operational workers and management

• Other organizations/companies:

o Companies operating globally with big knowledge base

o E.g. car manufacturer with production sites in different

countries or health care industry searching for new drugs

Changes in operationalprocesses

• Operational process = standardized approach

to all performed activities

• Virtual Teamwork: Continuous learning and

knowledge sharing as company norm

• Away from plain standardization and

outdated procedures

• Due to training and coaching: creative

approach on completing work and tasks

• Better level of communication and higher

commitment

KM solutions in the educational field

• Videoconferencing & video clips: video

lectures (recorded and online)

• Multimedia e-mail: convenient work on

projects

• Application and boards sharing: effective

discussions and problem-solving

• Web based information portals: Moodle,

Hisportal, web site (consistency is needed)

• Other ways of sharing files and information:

dropbox, social networking, wikis,

crowdsourcing

Thank you for attention!