Complexity of IT systems constantly increases and different professions need to cooperate to develop the IT systems that fits its purpose. The study is based on a qualitative interview study of 9 practitioners in software development projects, in large or medium size businesses with the aim to investigate how models are used in software development projects, interpreted from an organizational learning perspective. The study reveals a situation where the practitioner bases their work process on experiences and common view of the team members. Occasionally they implement elements of new models by searching actively on the internet, inviting speakers or getting inspired by newcomers' experiences.

To coin a new expression, the findings show an episodic organizational learning pattern.  Firstly, learning from using models occurs in episodes and the models are subject to reflection-in-action prior to introducing them to the project activity system. Secondly, knowledge from experience in a previous project does not reside in the organization, it is rather an inherent property of an individual, and thus depending on the composition of the team at that particular moment. Thirdly, to learn from academia or other practitioners seem to be episodic by occasionally inviting a lecturer or benchmarking another projects use of models.