An Indexing Scheme for Case-Based Manufacturing Vision Development

This paper focuses on one critical element, indexing – retaining and representing knowledge in an applied case-based reasoning (CBR) model for supporting strategic manufacturing vision development (CBRM). Manufacturing vision (MV) is a kind of knowledge management concept and process concerned with the competence improvement of an enterprises manufacturing system. There are two types of cases within the CBRM – an event case (EC) and a general supportive case (GSC). We designed one set of indexing vocabulary for the two types of cases, but a different indexing representation structure for each of them. In this paper, after the background introduction of the MV, the CBRM and the indexing challenges of the MV cases, we present the structure and content of the index vocabulary and the two indexing representation structures, then illustrate briefly the indexing of cases with two examples. We also summarize the methods, primary conclusions of test runs with the indexing scheme. Further research work to refine the index vocabulary is discussed as well.