Christine Van Toorn

Evaluating an Approach to Sharing Software Engineering Knowledge to Facilitate Learning

This chapter explores learning from repositories of software engineering knowledge— stores of practice created through knowledge sharing over time. Knowledge sharing is acknowledged as one of the most important processes to enhance organizational knowledge. A general model describing how the unique aspects of a software engineering environment shape knowledge sharing is introduced; this framework is known as software engineering knowledge sharing. In addition, CORONET, a system that provides functionality for knowledge sharing and for lifelong learning of software engineers in an organizational context, is briefly addressed. CORONET is a Web-based environment and incorporates knowledge management as an integral component. This chapter seeks to associate the two by fitting CORONET into the software engineering knowledge-sharing framework. We believe that the proposed model is useful for small projects, even those with different characteristics, and has the potential to be extended and refined by other researchers and practitioners.