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Knowledge position study Life Cycle Engineering
Branch organisations use knowledge position studies to map the possibilities that technologies and technological knowledge have for products, processes or services of entrepreneurs in their branch in order to enhance their competitive position.
A knowledge position study results in recommendations for ways in which the needs of knowledge from entrepreneurs can be met. In general these studies will be followed by activities aimed at the transfer of knowledge.

A knowledge position study consists of:

  • the market developments where companies (want to) aim at;
  • the current state of technology or technological knowledge within and beyond the sector;
  • the needs for technology or technological knowledge of companies in the sector;
  • the different possibilities to meet existing and latent needs and to strengthen the position in the market;
  • a plan to benefit from new opportunities for companies within the sector.

Van der Meer & van Tilburg performed knowledge position studies on various subjects such as Life Cycle Engineering. Life Cycle Engineering can be described as a design process in which the maintainability and the sustainability of the objects are considered on forehand. The goal is to gain insight in the exploitation costs during the complete lifecycle of an object.

 

Van der Meer & van Tilburg also performed knowledge position studies for:

  • Joining technology (for the Dutch Institute for Welding)
  • Thermal Spraying (for the Association for Thermal Spraying Techniques)
  • Fibre Metal Laminates (for the Aluminium Centre)
  • Chimney sweeping (for the General Bond of Chimney Sweepers ASPB and the Dutch Board for Craft Trades (HBA))
  • Risk management in Construction (for the Dutch Construction Association (Bouwend Nederland))
  • Corrosion prevention and other ways to increase the sustainability of production means (for the Knowledge Platform Surface Treatments (KP*OT))

Knowledge needs study regarding connection technology

Van der Meer & van Tilburg performed company screenings in the metal sector to determine the support needs for joining technologies. The study was used as a basis for the development of services to meet the needs of companies in the sector. An important aspect of this project was the development of a website with valuable knowledge from past research projects. This project was assigned by the Dutch Institute for Welding in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht.

 

In addition, the knowledge needs of individual companies were studied and plans were developed to acquire this knowledge.


 Competence Scan 

Research from the Dutch Construction Association shows that construction entrepreneurs generally have a need for support on professional business management, especially in the area of Human Resource Management. In order to meet these needs Van der Meer & van Tilburg developed a screening instrument for Techno Centre Utrecht: the Competence Scan.

 

The Competence Scan consists of two closely related parts:

  1. A qualitative, companywide scan
    The scan gives insight how employees translate company targets to their own performance on the job. Specific recommendations are made considering education, personal development and organisation of the company. The results are captured in a report.
  2. Coaching
    Subsequently the possibility is offered to use a business coach who assists with the implementation of the report.

The project started with construction companies but moved quickly to "young" technology oriented companies and enterprises in the business services industry.