Expert Systems Technology

Share on social

Table of Contents

In environments where knowledge is fragmented and implicit, Expert Systems provide a robust framework for dynamic problem-solving. This white paper reveals how Expert Systems excel in capturing expert knowledge, managing complex logic, and rapidly adapting to real-world challenges.

By leveraging advanced tools like inference engines and prototyping, Expert Systems offer a powerful solution to problems that traditional methods can’t address. Discover the applications, benefits, and opportunities Expert Systems technology brings to modern decision-making.

What is Expert Systems technology?

Expert Systems technology is more than a collection of hardware and software products.  The techniques used to develop an Expert System are a critical component of the technology.  These techniques, particularly in the areas of knowledge engineering and rapid prototyping, differ substantially from conventional development techniques. 

Why use Expert Systems technology? 

Expert Systems technology and conventional systems technology are best-suited to different types of situations.  Neither technology is a universal solution, nor does every situation demand the exclusive use of one technology or the other.  The following table lists aspects of applications which suggest either an Expert System or a conventional approach:

Why are Expert Systems development tools useful?

The measure of a development tool is how easily the developer can translate requirements and knowledge into an application.  For example, the requirements of most business applications are more easily translated into COBOL than FORTRAN.  In the context of scientific applications, however, FORTRAN usually provides a more natural translation. 

In a problem situation conducive to the application of Expert Systems technology, the central task of application developers is to capture a precious but elusive commodity:  expertise.  As a result, the primary requirement for an Expert Systems development tool is that it provides an efficient and natural means to translate expertise into an application.  This translation is easiest when the development tool represents knowledge in a manner that closely resembles the form in which knowledge is obtained from an expert.   

Expert Systems development tools provide superior knowledge representation capabilities in two areas.  First, all these types of development tools include an inference engine which enables the developer to use “chunks” of knowledge (rules) as building blocks for the overall system.  Many Expert Systems development tools also include object oriented capabilities, which allow the developer to represent concepts and relationships between concepts. 

Not only do these capabilities help the developer to transfer knowledge into an application, they also help the developer communicate the knowledge back to the expert(s) in order to verify its correctness. 

Are there any similarities between Expert Systems and conventional systems? 

There are some loose parallels between Expert Systems and conventional systems, although the terminology used in describing Expert Systems is unique.  The following list provides the most closely related conventional concept for a number of Expert Systems concepts, along with a brief comment concerning the key difference between the two:

How does knowledge engineering differ from conventional systems analysis? 

As discussed in Question 2, an Expert System is appropriate in situations where knowledge is fragmented, implicit, complex and not easily communicated.  For this reason, the knowledge engineering task is substantially more involved than most conventional systems analysis.  Expertise is not easily communicated in the form of simply stated requirements or problem-solving methods.  Instead, the knowledge engineer participates in a joint process of questioning and discovery with the expert(s).  Understanding evolves in “chunks” over time, and the system specifications evolve along with that understanding.  The knowledge engineer plays a critical role in ensuring that knowledge is not only obtained, but also represented and structured for optimal use and reuse within the Expert System.  As discussed in the next question, the responsibilities of a knowledge engineer are likely to encompass tasks, such as testing, not typically associated with a systems analyst. 

How does the Expert Systems life cycle differ from the traditional systems development life cycle? 

As discussed in the previous question, the requirements and behavior of an Expert System are extremely difficult to state in advance during formal analysis and design stages.  Instead, the knowledge, captured by the Expert System, increases in depth and scope over time through the knowledge engineering process.  Rapid prototyping enables the Expert System to develop incrementally in the same manner that knowledge is obtained incrementally.  Each prototype facilitates additional analysis, design and verification.  Because of the overlap between these activities, the knowledge engineer is involved in virtually all phases of the Expert Systems life cycle, not just analysis. 

Leverage The Power of Churchill AI.

Your trusted partner in making the complex world of retail, Predictable.

To learn more, contact an expert today.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2025 · Churchill Systems

Complete the form below

This content will be available after you complete this form.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.