course hero why is understanding the business problem essential to knowledge discovery?

What is knowledge discovery?

Understanding the process of ‘knowledge discovery’ is a first step in order to unveil the ‘unknown unknowns’, but is often insufficient to actually do so succesfully. To this end, there are various methods and techniques which facilitate the action of knowledge discovery. By applying these methods, one increases the probability of discovering new knowledge.

What is the central theme of knowledge discovery?

A central theme in Knowledge Discovery is ‘learning ’. However, we should distinguish two types of learning that can and will occur during knowledge discovery and of which one should be aware: intuitive learning and rational learning.

What is viability in project?

Viability relates to whether the project outcome can deliver value in a sustainable and user-friendly way, such that it will be actually used by the end-user. A typical approach to challenge viability is by means of designing prototypes of the project outcome and testing them.

What is the risk of unknown unkonwns?

It is important to be aware that the risk of “unknown unkonwns ” already exists at the onset of a project. Typically, when a project is initiatied, the sponsor (internal or external) comes with a specific demand. However, there is a risk that this demand is not what is really needed in order to create value.

What is the process of dealing with unknown unknowns?

Dealing with “known unknowns” is the field or risk management. Once one is aware that each project contains “unknown unknowns”, it becomes clear that a process is needed to reveal these “unknown unknowns” and turn them either into things we know or things of which we now know that we don’t know. We call this process “knowledge discovery”.

How many phases are there in the intuitive learning cycle?

Four phases (OODA) can be distinguished in the intuitive learning cycle. It all starts by observing certain events which unfold themselves. These observations are the raw information on which decisions and actions will be based. Be aware that because of how our brain works, we filter our observations.

Is knowledge discovery a continuous effort?

While knowledge discovery has a very important role during project initiation, it is certainly not limited to the initial project lifecycle stage. Particularly in agile project methods (as we will discuss later), the discovery of unknown unknowns is a continuous effort.