Knowledge refinement for aircraft design and other processes with long cycle time

This paper is concerned with possible technical processes for collecting and refining knowledge and expertise within the Research and Development and Production and Support functions in the aircraft industry. It is also concerned with processes for facilitating the use of stored knowledge and expertise in providing for example continuity of good practice. Features of humans as processors of information, which will influence the collection and use of relevant knowledge and experience, are considered. The feasibility of 'solving' information processing problems with currently available techniques and hardware and software products is assessed. Indications are given of the kinds of developments that seem to be needed in the context of aircraft design and other activities considered in this paper. Human privacy considerations are identified as a possible problem and are discussed briefly.