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Abstract: Projects are essential for organizations, driving change and progress. Project reviews are crucial to avoid redundancy, prevent repeated mistakes, optimize resources, and foster innovation. Although various review methods exist (e.g., lessons learned), not all knowledge can be fully documented. Capturing knowledge is crucial for innovation, especially in product development. Hence capturing knowledge within the context of innovative product development even more critical. This paper proposes using Campbells Hero Journey framework to harness generative AI for capturing project knowledge more effectively. This research includes an updated literature review on project reviews, knowledge sharing and creation, storytelling in project management, and the use of generative AI for storytelling. To validate the findings, four sample projects and project teams were investigated. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and future research opportunities are also discussed.
Keywords: Tacit Knowledge Capture, Product Innovation, Project Reviews, Generative AI, Storytelling.
1 Introduction
Projects are vital to organizations, driving strategic objectives and innovation (Von Zedtwitz, 2003). Williams (2003) notes that businesses have become project-oriented, leading to flexible structures focused on strategic projects. Most organizational work is now project-based (Keil et al., 1995). However, many organizations struggle to systematically learn from projects, as knowledge and experiences often aren't integrated into organizational memory (Schindler & Eppler, 2003). Ayas and Zeniuk (2001) argue that learning isn't automatic, resulting in valuable project knowledge not being shared across other projects.
This gap highlights a critical problem. While projects are crucial for generating new knowledge and driving innovation, there is a pressing need for effective mechanisms to capture and disseminate this knowledge. This research proposes using Campbells Hero Journey framework (1949) in combination with Generative AI (GAI) as a method to capture project knowledge more effectively. The Heros Journey framework, introduced by Campbell (1949) and later adapted by Vogler (2007), offers a structured narrative approach that can help share explicit and tacit knowledge across different cultures. By employing this storytelling framework in project management, organizations may improve their ability to capture detailed insights and lessons that might be missed otherwise.
Capturing and sharing project knowledge is vital for continuous innovation therefore sustainable competitive advantage, particularly considering the case of technology startups. This study explores how storytelling frameworks combined with generative AI can improve knowledge capture, advance what is known...