Knowledge engineering is the process of digitizing the knowledge and utilizing it to resolve complicated problems. The knowledge is usually converted into a format that makes it easy for the end users to access the information and utilize it optimally. This is a very complex procedure and is divided in different phases. The roles or the responsibilities of a knowledge engineer are to develop these specialized systems by gathering the relevant information and putting it into a systematic format before deploying it for the end users.
Basically, the intent of knowledge engineering is to reduce the time and efforts put in resolving complex and unexpected problems that would otherwise consume a lot of time and efforts if resolved manually. Therefore, the engineer who develops the knowledge system has to understand the problem first and derive a method with the subject matter experts to resolve the issue.
Once all the necessary information is collected, the engineer has to develop a knowledge base into which the necessary information is put in a valid and structure. Post the inclusion of information into the knowledge base, the accuracy and usability of the data is tested and validated by the system engineers and other experts.
Knowledge engineers belong to a breed of specialists who are involved in developing expert systems that might not entirely, but partly replace human beings and provide outputs that are as efficient as to those the humans might provide. They are responsible for providing solutions in the form of expert systems that perform like us and help to achieve higher levels of productivity and accuracy while being cost efficient.
More information that will make you aware of what a knowledge engineer does has been provided below:
Assessing the Problem
The step that initiates the process of knowledge engineering is the assessment of the problem for which the solution has to be devised. This assessment is done with the experts of the subject, and the problem and the solution are looked at from different perspective and accordingly a solution that is most feasible is decided.
Developing the Knowledge Structure
Once the necessary information is collected for resolving the problem, the engineer involved in the development of knowledge or expert systems creates a format within which the information is to be put.
Incorporating Information into the Structure
Once the design and the format of the data structure is finalized, the engineer incorporates the information into the systems.
Testing and Validating the Information
Post the insertion of the information into the database, the engineer developing the expert systems conducts different tests to assess the utility of the database and validates it if functions as needed. If not, then necessary changes are made by the engineer to make the system functional for the end user.
Maintaining Systems
The expert systems, as they are called, need to be maintained regularly. The engineer needs to handle this responsibility and ensure that the systems continue to function well and the applications continue to be useful.
To become an efficient knowledge engineer, you need to be:
With a bachelor or master's degree in computer applications, software engineering, or a closely related course, and an experience of few years of working in systems and applications engineering will give you enough knowledge and insight to be able to become an efficient engineer of knowledge systems development.
While working in this position, you can earn around $87,000 annually. Amount for additional allowances such as performance incentives, bonuses, insurance, travel allowances, etc., vary with each organization. This sector holds tremendous opportunities for those who have the potential to perform well and deliver solutions that are highly useful for the clients in the long run.
Although we have put in all our efforts to gather and compile the most accurate and updated information about this profession, there might be a slight change in the knowledge engineer responsibilities by the time you join an organization. You should discuss all the responsibilities that will be assigned to you when you join the organization.