Product configuration using knowledge based system

Product configuration is focused on achieving customer satisfaction. Configuration methods should use previous experiences related to product changes One of the methods of storing experiences is elaboration of knowledge bases with the use of proper knowledge representation method. In the paper identification of customer needs was discussed, as well as product decomposition methods were presented. The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method was suggested to be applied as a product and process data integration tool, where engineering characteristic of a product was combined with its trade characteristic. The paper shows that thanks to the application of knowledge based system in production preparation it is possible to support decision making connected with product selection and evaluation for a particular customer.