Domain-Specific Dss Tools for Knowledge-Based Model Building

Abstract

The formulation of complex planning models, such as linearprogramming (LP) systems, is a difficult task that enjoys little supportby current decision support systems tools. It is hypothesized thatcurrent artificial intelligence technology is insufficient to buildgeneralized formulation tools that would be usable by OR-naive endusers. As an alternative, this paper presents a domain-specificapproach to knowledge-based model formulation which combines the use of"syntactic" knowledge about linear programming with â¬ÂSsemanticâ¬Â? guidanceby knowledge specific to some application domain. As a prototype of thisapproach, a model formulation tool for LP-based production management isunder development at New York University.