An Innovative Knowledge Management Methodology and Software Development, AVDKBS, for Aerospace Engineering Conceptual Design

Knowledge is the most precious ingredient facilitating aerospace engineering research and product development. Inefficient knowledge retention methods have become a primary obstacle for knowledge transfer from the experienced to the next generation of engineers. Consequently, aerospace progress is impeded since few engineers pay attention to how to efficiently manage past-to-present data, information and knowledge for future decision-making. Therefore, the task of how to efficiently manage data, information, and knowledge is vital to the future of aerospace growth. In order to provide development environments with pragmatic knowledge management mindsets and toolsets, a best-practice knowledge management methodology – AVDKBS is proposed, resembling a dedicated aerospace design Knowledge-Based System (KBS). The research motivation, background and methodology of AVDKBS is explained in detail. In addition, a quantitative evaluation criterion is proposed for the first time to measure the performances of the knowledge management methods, which works as an objective scale to determine their efficiencies. Based on the unique knowledge engineering methodology, a dedicated functional software prototype AVDKBS is developed, which introduces seven knowledge management functions: Knowledge Educating, Knowledge Updating, Knowledge Deleting, Trend Predicting, Data Updating, Data Deleting and Parametric Sizing Analysis. The advantages of AVDKBS are illustrated through a case study: Launch Vehicle Design.