1. What pilot system did BP implement? Why was it important for BP to have such a solution? 2. What are BP’s benefits resulting from the introduced system? What other branches could particularly profit from this kind of KM? 3. How do you think Virtual Teamwork has changed operational processes at BP? 4. Can you imagine the use of KM solutions described in the case in the educational field (universities, scientific institutes)? Made and presented for the course Management Information Systems at Viadrina University, winter term 2012/2013.

1. Knowing the Drill:
Virtual Teamwork at BP
Management Information Systems
14.01.2013

2. 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.

3. BP’s activities
source: http://www.bp.com

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Changes in operational
processes
• 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

10. 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

11. Thank you for attention!