An Applied Framework for Classifying the Complexity of Knowledge-Based Systems.

Author List: Meyer, Marc H.; Curley, Kathleen Foley;
MIS Quarterly, 1991, Volume 15, Issue 4, Page 455-472.
The development and use of knowledge-based (expert) systems has grown dramatically across a broad range of industries. Yet despite its growing importance, the study of expert systems lacks a cohesive framework for differentiating and comparing expert systems initiatives across different applications and in different industrial settings. The problem for IS managers is that a system that works in one situation may not be appropriate for another. This article presents a classification methodology for the systematic evaluation of a broad range of expert systems. Of primary concern in this study is the measurement of the complexity of such systems. Complexity in the area of expert systems consists of two basic dimensions. The first dimension is the complexity of the underlying knowledge residing with the key experts. The second dimension of the framework focuses on the complexity of the technology incorporated into a given system. This framework is then applied to a sample of 50 successfully developed knowledge-based systems. The results can be used as a foundation for generating research hypotheses for development time, budget, staffing, organizational control, and organizational participation.
Keywords: Expert systems; MIS management; technical staffing; project planning; corporate strategy
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#125 0.192 framework model used conceptual proposed given particular general concept frameworks literature developed develop providing paper developing guidelines concepts appropriate set
#129 0.178 expert systems knowledge knowledge-based human intelligent experts paper problem acquisition base used expertise intelligence domain inductive rules machine artificial task
#27 0.122 secondary use primary data outcomes objective ways analysis range addresses development purpose budget past outcome wide direct generating occurs desired
#220 0.109 research study different context findings types prior results focused studies empirical examine work previous little knowledge sources implications specifically provide
#224 0.108 complexity task environments e-business environment factors technology characteristics literature affect influence role important relationship model organizational contingent actual map dimension
#77 0.098 information systems paper use design case important used context provide presented authors concepts order number various underlying implementation framework nature
#294 0.070 development systems methodology methodologies information framework approach approaches paper analysis use presented applied assumptions based proposed described examines basis proposes