ProTest: a knowledge analysis tool for the development of expert systems

Abstract

This paper describes a knowledge analysis tool, ProTest, that assists knowledge engineers structure and validate knowledge. At ProTest's core is a Prolog program that tests elicited knowledge for logical consistency, logical loops, and redundancy. Experience gained from several expert system projects has shown the value of using an intermediate knowledge representation. This can be validated by domain experts before implementation, and then serves as a statement of the knowledge in the system. The intermediate representation that the authors use is inference nets. Practical problems in drawing up inference nets, managing sets of nets and testing sets for consistency, loops, and redundancy led them to design and implement their own tool. They discuss the motivation behind the program, its implementation, its use, and its potential for further development.<>