Gestão do conhecimento em arquiteturas de software: uma análise experimental

Abstract

The software industry has experienced exponential growth, driven by digital transformation and the increasing demand for automation. Knowledge Management (KM) has become essential for sustaining this progress, enabling the efficient storage and reuse of learning. Within KM, Architectural Knowledge Management (AKM) plays a crucial role in documenting and enhancing strategic decisions, ensuring system evolution and the development of scalable, innovative solutions. This research aims to improve the application of AKM in a software organization by identifying its challenges and proposing a more practical, collaborative, and agile solution. To achieve this, an extension of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted to understand the evolution of KM in the software industry. The results highlighted the need for further investigation in the field of Architectural Knowledge (AK), its management, and the evaluation of specific tools for its application. Through an action research approach, it was observed that architectural knowledge already exists within the studied organization but is dispersed across multiple channels, hindering access and dissemination, especially for new employees. As a solution, a process was developed to centralize this knowledge within a single tool already in use by the organization but not previously leveraged for this purpose. Evaluation based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) demonstrated that centralizing AKM led to time savings, improved software development quality, and enhanced knowledge exchange among teams. The process was adapted to the organization’s needs and accepted by the architecture team, with further refinements under consideration. Key contributions include improved communication between managers and teams, quick access to decision records, and standardization of practices, facilitating system integration and strengthening organizational collaboration. The findings presented in this dissertation open new research perspectives for AKM, such as creating a catalog of practical actions to enhance project structures and feedback mechanisms, as well as improving the proposed AKM model in terms of usability. Keywords: Architectural Knowledge Management; Software Engineering; Software Architecture.