Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2014, 2, 150-155
Published Online September 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jss
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.29026
How to cite this paper: Jia, Q., Bi, J.Y., wang, L.W. and Yang, Y.K. (2014) A Knowledge Maturity Model for Aerospace Prod-
uct Development. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2, 150-155. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jss.2014.29026
A Knowledge Maturity Model for Aerospace
Product Development
Qian Jia, Jingyuan Bi, Liwei wang, Yukun Yang
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, Beijing, China
Email: 7814074 6@qq. com
Received March 2014
Abstract
At present, China's aerospace product development mission are characterized by mammoth task
and high responsibility, in which situation, the role of knowledge in business process is particularly
prominent. Although we have realized the importance of the problem, and embarked on the
accumulation job, the problem faced is that we lack the criteria to judge our harvest, which spon-
taneously caused that we cannot define the quality and practical value of accumulated knowledge.
Focusing of above problems, the paper puts forward a knowledge maturity model for aerospace
product development, which divides knowledge maturity into 6 levels according to development
process. Criteria of each level as well as translation condition to next grade is elaborated, assess-
ment note is specially stated, aiming at offering enterprises a potent method for knowledge sys-
tem construction and evaluation.
Keywords
Knowledge Management, Maturity Model, Assessment, Aerospace Product
1. Introduction
The research and development of aerospace product is a job with high complexity, which demands and gene-
rates huge amount of knowledge at the same time. In recent years, with the increasing of volume and complica-
cy in business, knowledge generated in development process grows rapidly. In order to define its quality, relia-
bility and distribution areas, we urgently need a knowledge maturity assessment tool, which can make qualita-
tive evaluation for knowledge, and provide a reference framework for enterprise knowledge improvement.
For aerospace product development, knowledge maturity assessment can contribute to the following two as-
pects:
Provide a measurement method for knowledge, which can promote its continuous improvement.
A certain time is needed from knowledge generating to widely spread and application, Knowledge maturity
assessment model can identify the current knowledge state in the process, to provide guidance for continuous
improvement and application.
Reflect the distribution of the ability status, which can promote capacity building.
High Maturity level often represents core competencies, while the low level often notes short board. There-
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fore, knowledge maturity assessment model will provide a quantitative reference for capacity-building, thus help
to enhance the core competence.
2. Current Research
At present, the main research directions of knowledge maturity can be attributed to two categories, practice an-
gle and appearance angle. Practice angle mainly emphasize on actual effect of knowledge, while appearance an-
gle focuses more on its structured degree.
2.1. Practice Angle
Christian Johansson team [1] in Sweden point that knowledge maturity should learn the idea of technology ma-
turity and Capability maturity assessment, that is, judge knowledge maturity by several descriptive levels, and
each criterion is the satisfaction degree of knowledge to expected targets. In this guiding ideology, Christian Jo-
hansson team proposed a assessment table [2], dividing the knowledge maturity into 5 levels: primary, uncertain,
acceptable, good and excellent. Using this model, project team can clearly recognize current overall state of
knowledge assets, including the advantages of knowledge and lack of knowledge, on this basis, the project team
can take measures to meet the expectations of the knowledge assets, thus enhance the whole ability of the team.
2.2. Appear ance Angle
From the perspective of knowledge appearance, some domestic scholar divides the knowledge maturity into 5
grades [3], which are respectively special knowledge, repeated knowledge, defined knowledge, organizational
knowledge and innovative knowledge. It’s not necessary to display detailed explanations here, which can be
found in the reference paper. These five levels can be described by the following Figure 1.
The abscissa represents application extension of knowledge; while the vertical axis represents the presented
form of knowledge, The conclusion can be summarize that with the expansion of applying extension as well as
enhancement of structured degree, the knowledge maturity level improves correspondingly.
3. Knowledge Maturity Model for Aerospace Product Development
3.1. Knowledge Maturity Model
We used proposed a primary and sweeping knowledge maturity model [4] earlier, which has no directed aim.
But with the in-depth study, we realized that the knowledge model should connect close to aerospace product
development, so, on the basis of other maturity models, the paper argues that knowledge maturity model for
aerospace product development should have the following characteristics:
Figure 1. Knowledge maturity model in appearance angle
Application extension
individual Project
team business
process enterprise
Unstructured
implicit
Unstructured
explicit
structured
explicit
structured
implicit
special
knowledge
Repeated
knowledge
Defined
knowledge
Organizational
knowledge
Innovative
knowledge
Presented form
Knowledge maturity level
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Main line of the model is aerospace product development process, with the in-depth research; knowledge ma-
turity level should improve accordingly;
The model should be described as several mature levels, covering knowledge resources from generation to
extremely mature life cycle;
Each Levels of the model should be defined by certain requirements, which has clear boundaries with adja-
cent grade, and at the same time can reflect growing trend of knowledge.
Under the guidance of above ideas, combined with the characteristics of knowledge resources for researching
target, knowledge maturity model for aerospace product development is proposed in Figure 2.
Each level of the model is described below. It is worth mentioning that the evaluated object should be the
knowledge system in a certain direction, rather than a single piece of knowledge resources. This paper argues
that, for a term of specific knowledge, especially the fact-based or experience-based knowledge resources (such
as advices, best practices, etc.), its maturity in isolation rating of little significance, because the maturity of a
single piece of knowledge has little persuasion to the risk identifying, while the evaluation on knowledge system
representing a certain technology can reflect the its supportive degree to aerospace product development.
KRL1:
The basic technical concepts and applications for aerospace product development are cleared, key technolo-
gies has been put forward.
As for the knowledge system, a lot of useful external knowledge should be accumulated, achievements for
technical concepts and its verification process should be formed, including research reports, papers, test reports,
etc, which can be summarized as follows:
Domestic situation and development trend of similar products;
Basic Principles verification methods;
Key technologies to be solved.
KRL2:
Key technologies for the aerospace product have been verified in laboratory, technical solutions and ap-
proaches are clarified. The project can continue in-depth study.
As for the correspo nding knowledge system, in terms of design, all ideas and thoughts during the key tech-
nologies overcoming process should be recorded; in terms of trial, test environment, data as well as results for
principle experiment should be congested. The main knowledge accumulated in this stage should include:
Key technology research methods, tools, experience;
Environment, methodology as well as analysis of results for principle experiment.
KRL3:
The product integration and demonstration has been completed, prototype functionality can meet the design
requirements in a typical simulation environment.
As for the corresponding knowledge system, in terms of design, performance data, coordinating and inte-
grated methods for demonstrate prototype should be recorded; in terms of trial, the demonstration conditions and
data should be particularly highlighted. If the initial design revision is needed according to the demonstration
Figure 2. Knowledge Maturity Model for aerospace product development.
aerospace product development process
Conception
argument Scheme
study Type
development Sample
development Actual
operation Mass
production
High maturity level
Low maturity level
KRL1
KRL5
KRL6
KRL2
KRL3
KRL4
Knowledge system for
definite conception
was accomplished
Knowledge system with
feasibility argumentation
was accomplished
Knowledge system with
type development was
accomplished
Knowledge system with
sample development was
accomplished
Knowledge system with
integrated demonstration
was accomplished
Achievements
solidification after actual
operation
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result, revision history and revision reasons should be recorded thoroughly. The main knowledge accumulated in
this stage should include:
Prototype design and optimization methods;
Prototype assembly technology and processes;
Environment, authentication methods and analysis results for demonstration experiment.
KRL4:
Type development for the aerospace product has been completed, with the condition of next phase transfer.
Correspondingly, knowledge perfection of last stage and accumulation of current stage should be completed,
which can support sample development of the project.
In this stage, the knowledge system should be more mature, internal outcomes generated should increase
greatly. Failure cases and experiences generated in the tests should be noted exhaustively, taboo, detailed fi-
nishing, best practices should be formed after validation. The main knowledge accumulated in this stage should
include:
Coordination methods for overall and subsystems;
Rapid production and assembly procedures for engineering prototype;
Environment, test methods, test results for ground test.
KRL5:
The sample development has been completed, with the condition of actual operation. Correspondingly,
knowledge perfection of last stage and accumulation of current stage should be completed, which can enable
actual operation of the aerospace product.
The sample development stage may pay more attention to test verification, by which the early design scheme
is improved continuously. Therefore, the reason for the improvement, methods and results should be recorded in
detail, a large amount of experience taboo should be formed, at the same time, resources such as best practices,
sharing models should be supplemented.
The main knowledge accumulated in this stage should include:
The criteria and methods to be followed in system reliability, compatibility and adaptability which are
summed up from the large butt, coordinated, integrated test;
Rapid production and assembly procedures for production prototype;
Launch environment, prototype testing procedures and rules for the operation;
Environment, test methods, test results for flight test.
Reliability growth method.
KRL6:
At this level, the default target has been validated by actual operation, with the condition of large-scale pro-
duction, hence all the knowledge should be classified and transfer to some achievements, such as standards, pa-
pers, patents and so on. Knowledge system at this time should be complete in structure, full and accurate in con-
tent, and have passed verification wholly, which can support mass production and re-use, and can also provide
support for other similar aerospace product.
3.2. Conversion Conditions between Adjacent Grades
Grade advancing of above maturity model is consistent with aerospace product development process, as the
project developed in depth, maturity of knowledge systems increases correspondingly. After all, there are some
obvious conditions for advancing between adjacent levels, as specified in Table 1.
4. Assessment Notes
Of particular note is that the assessment of knowledge maturity should be aiming to specific target. For the
knowledge system in a certain direction, it may have a higher maturity level to the pre-set target A, because the
knowledge system can fully support the completion of the task. But if the same body of knowledge is transferred
to target B, despite the similarity of technical principles, the constraints and boundary conditions may change
more or less, so that the knowledge system’s maturity level to target B is very may be reduced. As shown in
Figure 3 if the pre-set target is the development of aerospace product A, its engine ignition technology may de-
pend on a lot of knowledge.
a) Foreign intelligence information about the technology used in some advanced model;
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Figure 3. Schematic correlations between knowledge maturity and pre-set target.
Table 1. conversion conditions of each LeveL.
Level conversion Conditions required
Level 1 - Level 2
theoretically pass the feasibility argumentation;
technical solutions and implementing ways have been defined, key technologies required to overcome have
been identified;
internal results representing by feasibility report have formed;
reasons and lessons in the scheme selection process are summarized thoroughly .
Level 2 - Level 3
completed the phase of scheme design, with required outcomes to type development transformation;
complete the outcome document archives;
complete the summary of process knowledge : in design aspect, change history of each parameter should be
recorded in details; thinking processes overcoming key technologies should be summarized; in experimental
aspects, according to the principle test carried out in this stage, test program , test data, failure cases as well as
lessons learned for should be summarized.
Level 3 - Level 4
completed the phase of type development, with required outcomes to sample development transformation;
complete the outcome document archives;
complete the summary of process knowledge : in design aspect, reasons and basis of technical state change in
type development should be recorded; in experimental aspects, according to the entity test carried out in this
stage, test program, data, failure cases and lessons learned should be summarized; in production aspect, according
to assembly process of engineering prototype, best practices, experiences and taboos should be summarized.
Level 4 - Level 5
completed the phase of sample development, with required outcomes to next phase(such as actual launch)
transformation ;
complete the outcome document archives;
complete the summary of process knowledge : in design aspect, reasons and basis of technical state change in
sample development should be recorded; in experimental aspects, according to the integrative test carried out in
this stage, test program, data, failure cases as well as lessons learned should be summarized; in production aspect,
according to assembly process of formal prototype, best practices, experiences and taboos should be summarized.
Level 5 - Level 6
The aerospace product can be applied to mass production;
On the basis of a comprehensive classify of knowledge, achievements are solidified, including standards,
academic papers, patents, technological fruits;
the knowledge system should cover the entire project development process, and can clearly reflect the changes
of scheme in different phases.
Lessons
Patents or new ideas
standards
Optimized
practice
engine ignition
technology for product A
Can effectively
support
Passed actual operation
Knowledge
maturity level :6
An improved version of
product A
(effect unknown)
Knowledge maturity level
can be judged as 2 or 3
The typical design
scheme for some
historical model
Foreign
intelligence
information
Foreign advanced
technology
accomplished knowledge system
construction
key experimentations need carrying out again
knowledge system construction need redressing
work difficulty can be reduced greatly
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b) Lessons summed up by tests;
c) Patent or new ideas presented in some papers;
d) A relevant standard specifications, including design criteria, technics regulation, etc;
e) The typical design scheme for some historical model.
If product A has completed its development and passed actual operation, and the construction of knowledge
system has been accomplished accordingly, we can conclude that the knowledge maturity for product A has
reached grade 6. But if we transfer the same knowledge system into an improved version of product A (which
we called product B), although the technology is based on the same principle, but the design scheme may need
some adjusting, key experimentations may need carrying out again, although some achievements can be directly
applied and so the work difficulty can be reduced greatly. On considering factors above all, we can judge the
knowledge maturity level for product B to 2 or 3.
5. Summary
Although current researches are relatively rare, knowledge maturity assessment is extremely necessary for en-
terprise. On one hand, current knowledge state can be identified and improved, on the other hand, capability dis-
tribution can be reflected and the core capacity-building can be promoted.
Based on the analysis of the relevant research home and abroad, the paper built a knowledge maturity model
for aerospace product development, which can provide a quantitative judgment for knowledge system construc-
tion. On follow-up work, we will study the knowledge maturity assessment process; promote the actual landing
of maturity assessment, facilitating the construction and optimization of knowledge system in practice.
References
[1] Johansson, C., Hicks , B. and Larsson, A.C., et al. (2011) Knowledge Maturity as a Means to Support Decision Making
During Product-Service Systems Development Projects in the Aerospace Sector. Project Management Journal, 3, 32-
50.
[2] Johansson, C., Larsson, A., Larsson, T., et al. (2008) Gated Maturity Assessment: Supporting Gate Review Decisions
with Knowledge Maturity Assessment. CIRP Design Conference.
[3] Knowledge Maturity Model (2007) http://www.amteam.org/k/ITSP/2004-8/481203.html
[4] Du, J.P. (2013) A method of knowledge maturity assessment in aerospace enterprise. The 64th International Astro-
nautical Congress, Beijing.