ONGC to rope in Infosys for knowledge mgmt

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is planning to rope in Infosys for setting up a knowledge management system.

The project, to be implemented in a phase-wise manner, envisages a rich knowledge base built across the organisation. While the initial investment is estimated at Rs 50 crore, the total project size could go up to Rs 100 crore, said sources close to the development.

ONGC director (HR) AK Balyan said they were in discussion with the IT major and had conducted preliminary study on the project.

“E&P (exploration and production) and upstream activities are driven by knowledge. We are looking at creating a structured approach wherein using technology, knowledge remains with the worker. The project is currently under examination,” he added.

The project is also expected to do internal branding for ONGC. The company has approached IIM-A to set up a virtual knowledge park and will launch a portal ‘Gyan Udyan’ based on the name of the project.

“One of the unseen advantages of this project is that it will stop attrition to an extent. The initiative will further help in making ONGC a place of pride and pleasure to work. The scale and scope of this project could be the largest in the country,” said M Rajagopala Rao, chief knowledge officer of ONGC.

Under the new system, ONGC will form 30-40 communities including Community of Practice, Community of Interest and Community of Innovation.

In the first phase, about 10,000 people will be involved in the programme, of which 2,000-3,000 employees will be the 'initiators' — handling both the software and hardware parts of the system. When asked about the project cost, Rao refused to divulge any details.

Gujarat generates about 80 per cent of onshore revenues for the company.