An Ontology-Based Collaborative Framework for Decision Support in Engineering

Abstract

In this paper the MOKA framework as an expressive and generic model of design problem solving is extended by a model of design rationale. The MOKA framework is based on a product and process model which allows an explicit description of requirements, design descriptions, problem solving steps, decisions, etc. In this paper it is shown how decisions and their rationale can be integrated into this explicit product and process description. This tight conceptual integration of design decisions and their rationale into the MOKA framework is achieved by specifying a design rationale ontology which fits into the MOKA framework.