Analysing system-user cooperation in KADS

With the introduction of active, knowledge based systems (KBS), the need for truely cooperative systems grows. In this article we present a framework is presented for the analysis and specification of the way the user and a KBS should cooperate. This framework for user/system cooperation (KADS‐FUSC) is part of the KADS methodology. KADS‐FUSC is an extension of [Moran, 1981]’s view on successive levels of abstraction in specifying user interfaces of conventional systems. KADS‐FUSC supports decisions all the way down from ‘job‐design’ in automation via ‘system design’ ´ a la KADS to the specification of the user‐interface of a KBS. The advantage of the approach is that functionality is specified before the required expertise is analysed, which enables an integrated approach of software and knowledge engineering. Moreover, the communication functions are viewed as direct consequences of the distribution of tasks between user and system, which provides a rationale for designing the user interface of a KBS. Here KADS‐FUSC is a complement to the vast literature on human computer interaction, which is concerned with the “how” of the communication, because KADS‐FUSC is first concerned with the “why” and “what” of this communication. KADS‐FUSC not only provides a top‐down framework for developing the functionality of KBS, but also defines the role of collecting empirical data which are used for testing asumptions in the models about roles and competences of the user. A worked out example is presented in a domain of expertise where many may be amateurs, few may be experts, but only professionals, or a lunatic fringe are master: cooking diners. KADS‐FUSC has also been tried out, and in practical use by many European knowledge engineering divisions, or companies, even if they have not adopted the full KADS methodology.