A knowledge-based approach for improving information and decision making in a small business

This article describes the development of a prototype knowledge-based decision support system for a small manufacturing company. The prototype was designed to aid in the diagnosis and resolution of various production problems, as well as to assist in the collection and recording of information required for improved management decision making, as the first step toward a fully-integrated, real-time expert system for production management. The project illustrates a number of auxiliary issues and lessons arising from the development of the prototype system. These include: (1) the effectiveness of a multiple-expert approach in modeling the knowledge that comprises the system, (2) the need for prototyping during the incremental system development process, and (3) the growing impact of inexpensive software development tools and microcomputers on the ability of small companies to develop and implement highly-specialized knowledge-based systems.