Knowledge based systems: from research to practical application: pitfalls and critical success factors

Abstract In the Netherlands, many attempts have been made to introduce knowledge based systems (KBS) on the farm. Most innovations in information technology (IT) followed the traditional knowledge chain (top–down). The current theory of successful innovations puts the farmer in a much more central position (initiating, steering, controlling): a mix between top–down and bottom–up. Four introductory projects of knowledge based systems are described and critical success factors and pitfalls are analyzed. Decision support systems on operational level are more successful than the ones working on the tactical level. Systems with clear financial benefits have of course good potential. However, this is unclear for most systems. The central question for these systems is: does the farmer have a problem? If not, an application for solving this ‘problem’ will never be a success. End user involvement as well as close participation of the future marketing organization are also considered to be crucial.