THE DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS ADVISORY SYSTEM - A KNOWLEDGE-BASED DSS TOOLFOR PROJECT ASSESSMENT

This research investigates whether the knowledge-based decision suppor t system (KBDSS) paradigm provides the necessary supporting structure and developmental framework for product development evaluation. To add ress the research questions posed in this study, it is necessary to de velop and implement KBDSS's at specific decision points along the prod uct development cycle. This paper describes the design, development, a nd implementation of a KBDSS to support a product development manager' s decision concerning full-scale development of a new product. From th e systems design perspective, this paper addresses the integration and innovative use of a variety of techniques for knowledge acquisition, modeling, and processing. The approach utilized obtains the benefits o f normative modeling as well as the flexibility and developmental adva ntages of knowledge-based systems. Since its implementation, the syste m has been successfully used by a development manager to support his r ecommendation for an ongoing project. His complete satisfaction with t his system served as the impetus for the design and development of a m ulti-expert system which was implemented at the strategic level.