Original Date: 11/03/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

In the 1980s, Oak Ridge conducted a study that identified 110 highly-skilled key individuals who were approaching retirement age. As a result, Oak Ridge began examining intelligent advisor systems as a means to capture and preserve the knowledge and skills of its experts. These systems rely on the integration of models, executable data, and graphics; a software development environment; and a knowledge architecture.

To develop an intelligent advisor system, Oak Ridge first gathered knowledge from experienced personnel through interviews. Next, an electronic paradigm was created using information, models, and analysis tools to reflect the relevant context of experience and rationale for decision-making. All of Oak Ridge’s intelligent advisor systems include four basic elements: capturing process and expert knowledge; linking graphics, computer aided design, and product definitions; integrating nongraphic data; and seamlessly integrating models, information, and data into an easy-to-use man-machine interface.

Intelligent advisor systems integrate design expertise, methods, and models which allow users to determine a project’s manufacturability early in the design cycle. In addition, these systems can decrease turnaround time, reduce labor costs, and ensure the inclusion of concurrent engineering principles and optimum production planning.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.