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Expert systems: a manager’s guide
Wiig K., International Labour Office, Geneva, Switzerland, 1990. Type: Book (9789789221064466)
Date Reviewed: May 1 1991

Titles in the International Labor Organization Management Development Series focus on selected issues of concern to practicing managers and administrators as well as to management trainers, teachers, and consultants. According to the preface, the aim of this volume is to give managers practical guidance on how to establish and use expert systems technology confidently and decisively, avoiding various pitfalls on the way. The book is divided into six parts: introduction to the commercial use of knowledge-based systems; business considerations; preparation for application; building a technical team and acquiring technology; deployment and maintenance of knowledge-based systems; and the nature of knowledge-based systems. A glossary, appendix, and bibliography are provided at the end of the book.

Part 1 introduces the commercial use of knowledge-based systems. Wiig discusses the evolution of expert and knowledge-based systems in industry and points out the main business reasons for this evolution. An example illustrates how two different companies introduced expert systems. The author gives a brief overview of an approach to developing a knowledge-based system, with some discussion of how this differs from the development of a conventional system. The section ends with a discussion of the expert systems industry in terms of products; it lists hardware, software, tools, service suppliers, and their functions.

Part 2 discusses the business considerations that underlie the development of expert systems. A chapter describes how knowledge-based systems can be justified and considers the role of management in promoting their introduction. The author itemizes typical roles and applications of knowledge-based systems and presents the various known strategies for introducing knowledge-based systems in a company.

Part 3 describes how to gear up for developing an expert system application, from building up the technical team and acquiring the appropriate technology base to requirements for managers, planners, personnel managers, and informatics staff involved in such an endeavor. This section includes a detailed analysis of how the strengths of the constituents of a technical team should be adjusted depending upon the size and goals of the intended system.

Part 4 is about managing knowledge-based system development projects--this material is the core of the book. Wiig discusses project phases and schedules, managing initial and functional tasks, and the functional development process. Every major technical step in the development process is discussed in fair detail. These steps include the application selection process; task environment analysis and modeling; KBS conceptualization (task and system role selection); elicitation and acquisition of knowledge and task environment particulars; knowledge analysis and modeling; selection of the development environment; knowledge encoding; rapid and interactive prototyping; interfaces; and system design, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance. The author remarks on some factors to be observed during the phases of a development project and mentions the potential risks and rewards of such projects in applied artificial intelligence.

Part 5 covers issues related to the deployment and maintenance of knowledge-based systems. This part touches on factors to be considered while designing knowledge-based systems for installation and field use. It discusses the integration of knowledge-based systems into an existing infrastructure. Finally, maintenance of knowledge bases is briefly dwelt upon.

Part 6 is a general summary of artificial intelligence. It discusses the relationship between knowledge-based systems and artificial intelligence. In particular, it provides details about knowledge and automated reasoning. The author covers the perceived different kinds of knowledge, areas of expert knowledge, knowledge holders, and knowledge management.

Many books have been written on expert systems, and many more on the management of software engineering projects. This book is an unusual mix of the two and, in that sense, very much on the mark. The author has done all the necessary groundwork and obviously has the required experience to write such a book. The contents are highly informative, and even seasoned expert system development leaders may find this a handy deskside companion for that occasional checklist reference. The book is well illustrated with many figures, tables, and charts. It contains an adequate glossary and bibliography, but surprisingly does not have an index. Project managers experienced in managing software development may find some of the details in this book unnecessary. The advent of expert systems is causing many a manager not well versed in information systems to look at information technology for the first time, however. For such mangers, it is well worth having all the necessary details packed within the covers of one volume.

Reviewer:  C. Apte Review #: CR114744
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Applications And Expert Systems (I.2.1 )
 
 
Project And People Management (K.6.1 )
 
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