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The DILIGENT knowledge processes

Denny Vrandečić (Researcher at the University of Karlsruhes Institute of Applied Informatics and Formal Description Methods (Institute AIFB).)
Sofia Pinto (Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Instituto Superior Tecnico (Technical University of Lisbon).)
Christoph Tempich (PhD student at the Institute of Applied Computer Science and Formal Description Methods (AIFB) at the University of Karlsruhe from which he received his Master in May 2001.)
York Sure (Assistant Professor at the Institute of Applied Computer Science and Formal Description Methods (AIFB) at the University of Karlsruhe from which he received his PhD in May 2003.)

Journal of Knowledge Management

ISSN: 1367-3270

Article publication date: 1 October 2005

3182

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to present the ontology engineering methodology DILIGENT, a methodology focussing on the evolution of ontologies instead of the initial design, thus recognizing that knowledge is a tangible and moving target.

Design/methodology/approach

First describes the methodology as a whole, then detailing one of the five main steps of DILIGENT. The second part describes case studies, either already performed or planned, and what we learned (or expect to learn) from them.

Findings

With the case studies it was discovered the strengths and weaknesses of DILIGENT. During the evolution of ontologies, arguments need to be exchanged about the suggested changes. Identifies those kind of arguments which work best for the discussion of ontology changes.

Research implications

DILIGENT recognizes ontology engineering methodologies like OnToKnowledge or Methontology as proven useful for the initial design, but expands them with its strong focus on the user‐centric further development of the ontology and the provided integration of automatic agents in the process of ontology evolution.

Practical implications

With DILIGENT the experience distilled from a number of case studies and offers the knowledge manager a methodology to work in an ever‐changing environment.

Originality/value

DILIGENT is the first methodology to put focus not on the initial development of the ontology, but on the user and his usage of the ontology, and on the changes introduced by the user. We take the user's own view seriously and enable feedback towards the evolution of the ontology, stressing the ontology's role as a shared conceptualisation.

Keywords

Citation

Vrandečić, D., Pinto, S., Tempich, C. and Sure, Y. (2005), "The DILIGENT knowledge processes", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 9 No. 5, pp. 85-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270510622474

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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