Knowledge process and system design for the Coast Guard

Although knowledge management has been investigated in the context of decision support and expert systems for over a decade, interest in and attention to this topic have exploded. But until recently, integration of knowledge process design with information system design has been strangely missing from the knowledge management literature and practice. The research described in this paper builds upon recent work that focuses on knowledge management and system design from three integrated perspectives: (1) reengineering process innovation, (2) expert systems knowledge acquisition and representation, and (3) information systems analysis and design. With this work, we have integrated a framework for knowledge process and system design. This integrated framework covers the gamut of design considerations from the enterprise process in the large, through alternative classes of knowledge in the middle, and on to specific systems in the detail. We illustrate the use and utility of the approach through a specific enterprise example addressing Coast Guard ship boardings on the high seas, which addresses many factors widely considered important in the knowledge management environment. Using the integrated methodology illustrated in this paper, the reader can see how to identify, select, compose and integrate the many component applications and technologies required for effective knowledge process and system design. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.