Practical considerations associated with expert systems

TLDR: In this paper, the authors discuss the practical difficulties facing managers who decide to venture into the field of expert systems and suggest a methodology for handling knowledge acquisition for expert systems, and suggest that the users of the system must be involved in its design and evaluation.

Abstract: There are many practical difficulties facing managers who decide to venture into the field of Expert Systems. They will have to cope with both technological and human problems. Care must be taken in choosing the application, software house, hardware and software. A company may decide to build an Expert System in‐house, in which case it will need the right sort of Knowledge Engineer(s). The system must be of obvious benefit to the user otherwise it will fail. Knowledge Acquisition for Expert Systems is difficult, but possible if handled properly. The users of the system must be involved in its design and evaluation and a methodology for doing so is suggested. Managers can no longer pay lip service to the concept of user involvement in the design and implementation of new technology.