SMARTbook for Foreign Construction Focus Japan

Abstract

Execution of successful construction projects involve knowledge and experience in means, methods, codes, regulations and business practices. These elements vary in international settings. Foreign United States (US) Government construction increases complexity as it encompasses both local nation and US facets. The requirement for employees to return to the US from foreign assignments after five years compounds the challenges as the pool of experience is continually drained. The importance and effectiveness of developing a usable training guide to capture institutional knowledge for incoming personnel was studied for content, format and if current employees would be receptive to using such a tool. The SMARTbook platform was analyzed to see if it would be an executable format for US foreign construction subjects. This study focused on The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Japan Engineering District (JED), employees were surveyed on their opinions on content and interest. The feedback provided the overall contact structure for a JED based SMARTbook. Employees’ responsiveness to a guidebook was a resounding yes with caveats of apprehension that another large doctrinal type document would be circulated.