Managing the Introduction of Expert Systems

Abstract

Considers the importance of knowledge management for competitive advantage and the contribution which expert systems may make to the process. Explains the structure and role of expert systems, and outlines the advantages they may offer. Explores different methods of introducing them into an organization and subsequently developing their potential, comparing the traditional life‐cycle approach with that of evolutionary methods including prototyping. Concludes with a description of the early stages of introducing an expert system into a large engineering company, based on an action research approach.