Abstract
Well Construction and Information Technology (IT) groups are working together at ARCO Alaska, Inc. (AAI) to create a real-time, barrier free, learning environment. In this environment, engineers discover that small "jewels" of knowledge are easily shared and discovered. This is accomplished by identifying compartmentalized knowledge, breaking down organizational barriers and disseminating knowledge broadly. New technologies enable automatic data collection, publishing, and collaboration with outside contractors via the web. These new tools alone can not turn a group into a real-time learning organization. In order for this to happen, the members of the well construction groups continue to design new work processes and communication standards.
