Knowledge Engineering: Applying the Process

Abstract

Current expert operators provide valuable information to developers of new systems. They can help inform the design of new systems, new interfaces, or new methods of training. Knowledge engineering is a process to extracts knowledge from expert operators that has been applied successfully in the past to redesign current systems and to develop training methods for complex tasks. In this paper we present a formal model of the process, a description of its steps, and an example of its application to a current system. The present study demonstrates the benefit of applying the knowledge engineering process to learn about the operation of a commercial lawn mower. In this study, nine operators were interviewed to obtain the knowledge and cues they used to perform a mowing task. Examples of the results from knowledge engineering are presented.