Ripple Down Rules: A Technique for Acquiring Knowledge

Knowledge is becoming increasingly recognized as a valuable resource. Given its importance it is surprising that expert systems technology has not become a more common means of utilizing knowledge. In this chapter we review some of the history of expert systems, the shortcomings of first generation expert systems, current approaches and future decisions. In particular we consider a knowledge acquisition and representation technique known as Ripple Down Rules (RDR) that avoids many of the limitations of earlier systems by providing a simple, user-driven knowledge acquisition approach based on the combined use of rules and cases and which support online validation and easy maintenance. RDR has found particular commercial success as a clinical decision support system and we review what features of RDR make it so suited to this domain. INTRODUCTION Knowledge, in particular tacit knowledge, has been recognised as a key factor in gaining a competitive advantage (van Daal, de Haas & Weggeman, 1998). The soft and intangible nature of knowledge has led to increased utilisation of techniques This chapter appears in the book, Decision Making Support Systems: Achievements, Trends and Challenges for the New Decade, edited by Manuel Mora, Guiseppi Forgionne and Jatinder Gupta. Copyright © 2003, Idea Group Inc. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB8729 IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING