Knowledge managing major events: a case study of the Sydney Olympic Games

Abstract

Event management organisations are unique institutions in many ways. One of these is the manner in which they create, manage and transfer the information and knowledge they need to operate efficiently. Their finite project character requires innovative knowledge management (KM) solutions, however, to date, many event organisations have failed to capitalise effectively on recent KM advances. The 2000 Summer Olympic Games, held in Sydney, provides an excellent case study of how an event 'franchiser' (the International Olympic Committee) and an event 'franchisee' (the Sydney Organising Committee of the Olympic Games SOCOG) have successfully adopted KM strategies and practices to become 'learning organisations'. They now provide KM benchmarks for other event organisers. The paper is written from personal experience and outlines the IOC and SOCOG's KMgrowth and development from an information management approach into a wider knowledge management role, assisted by technology solutions. It will also identify some practical examples of KM practices that could be integrated into other event structures.