There are numerous computer-based techniques for managing knowledge. Part Three examines over a dozen of the most prominent and important for use in decision support systems. Each of these knowledge management techniques is described from two angles. First, we outline the facilities a technique furnishes for representing knowledge as various kinds of objects in computer memory. Second, we consider the methods that it provides for computerized processing of those knowledge objects. The sequence in which we cover knowledge management techniques roughly progresses from the most elementary, familiar techniques to those that are perhaps more complex or likely to be less familiar.

Implementations of each technique vary from one development tool to another. Even for a particular tool, specific features change as new and improved versions of it reach the market. Thus, we make no attempt to cover the detailed workings of one or another implementation of a knowledge management technique. Instead, we focus on the core essentials of each technique. This provides an understanding of fundamental differences among techniques that are candidates for use in DSS development. It provides a basic grasp of the capabilities offered by each technique, thereby giving a solid foundation for learning about specific features of knowledge management techniques embodied in various development tools.

In concert with studying Part Three, we recommend that students (or instructors) identify the techniques of greatest interest. For instance, which would be of greatest benefit in a student project that aims to build some specific DSS? The identified techniques can then be studied and used in the context of a particular tool(s) to reinforce the more general coverage offered here. The selected tool(s) can be whichever happens to be already available to students or especially appropriate to their needs. Numerous tutorial supplements (e.g., softbound user guides or exercise workbooks) are available for popular tools.

Chapter 9 begins with an examination of expression management. This is perhaps the simplest of knowledge management techniques, but one which is often integrated with other techniques in DSS development tools. The bulk of this chapter is concerned with techniques that are especially useful for representing and processing descriptive knowledge: text management, hypertext management, and database management.

Chapter 10 concentrates on knowledge management techniques that are very suitable for the representation and processing of procedural knowledge: solver management, spreadsheet management, and program management. Closely related to these is menu management which involves linguistic and presentation knowledge about the use of alternative procedures in a DSS.

Chapter 11 considers other techniques oriented toward managing linguistic and presentation knowledge: forms, report, and graphics management. In addition, it surveys rule management - an important technique for dealing with reasoning knowledge - and message management which is concerned with the representation and processing of messages, regardless of the type of knowledge they carry.