Knowledge management system and knowledge management method

Abstract

To provide a knowledge management system and an knowledge management method, allowing quick and proper response to a question from a questioner.SOLUTION: A knowledge management system 10 includes a question receiving unit 110 that receives a question about the construction industry from a questioner 20, a question analysis unit 120 that analyzes the question received by the question receiving unit 110, an answering means determination unit 130 that determines answering means for the question on the basis of the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120, an answer generation unit 140 that generates an answer to the question by the answering means determined by the answering means determination unit 130, and a response unit 150 that responds to the questioner 20 with the answer generated by the answer generation unit 140.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a knowledge management system and a knowledge management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been provided in which a user (questioner) posts a question and other users (answerers) reply to the question.

[0003] When a questioner has a question, they may be able to use such a system to ask a question and have their question resolved or obtain valuable information.

[0004] Furthermore, in such systems, a system that emphasizes the accuracy of answers has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to an information processing system that accepts a question from a first user, accepts an answer to the question from a second user, and allows the first user to view the answer after the deadline for answering the question has arrived. This information processing system reduces the motivation for respondents to compete with other respondents over the speed of their answers, allowing them to conduct sufficient research and consideration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-51667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the information processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the questioner cannot view the answer until the answer deadline, making it impossible to quickly obtain an accurate answer. For example, if a questioner has a question about work and asks it, they cannot view the answer to that question until the answer deadline arrives, causing a problem that work stagnates during that time.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a knowledge management system and a knowledge management method that can provide a prompt and appropriate answer to a question from a questioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A knowledge management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a knowledge management system that answers questions from questioners, and includes a question reception unit that receives questions about the construction industry from questioners, a question analysis unit that analyzes the questions received by the question reception unit, an answer means determination unit that determines an answer means for the question based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit, an answer generation unit that generates an answer to the question using the answer means determined by the answer means determination unit, and a response unit that responds to the questioner with the answer generated by the answer generation unit, wherein the answer means includes an expert answer that is provided by collaborating with an expert who has knowledge of the construction industry.

[0009] According to this aspect, the question receiving unit receives a question about the construction industry from a questioner, and the question analysis unit analyzes the question. The answering means determination unit determines an answering means, including an expert answer that answers the question by collaborating with an expert, based on the analyzed question. The answer generation unit generates an answer to the question using the answering means, and the response unit responds to the questioner with the answer generated by the answer generation unit. This makes it possible to provide a quick and appropriate answer to the question from the questioner.

[0010] In the above aspect, the question analysis unit analyzes the question field corresponding to the content of the question, and when collaborating with an expert, the answering means determination unit may select at least one expert from among the pre-registered experts based on the question field analyzed by the question analysis unit.

[0011] According to this aspect, the answering means determination unit selects at least one of the pre-registered experts based on the question field, thereby enabling a faster and more appropriate answer to be provided from an expert with the expertise appropriate to the content of the question.

[0012] In the above aspect, the experts include at least a confirmation inspection agency related to building inspections, and if the questions analyzed by the question analysis unit include questions related to laws and regulations, the answering means determination unit may select a confirmation inspection agency.

[0013] According to this aspect, the response means determination unit selects a verification inspection agency when the question includes a question regarding laws and regulations, thereby enabling a quicker and more appropriate response to the question regarding laws and regulations.

[0014] In the above aspect, the question field may be selectable by the questioner.

[0015] According to this aspect, since the questioner can select the question field, the answering means determination unit can select an appropriate expert with the expertise according to the content of the question, thereby enabling a quicker and more appropriate answer to the question from the questioner.

[0016] In the above aspect, the questioner may be able to select at least one expert from among the experts registered in advance.

[0017] According to this aspect, since the questioner can select the expert, the answering means determination unit can select an appropriate expert with expertise according to the content of the question, thereby enabling a quicker and more appropriate answer to the question from the questioner.

[0018] In the above aspect, if no response is obtained from the selected expert, the response means determination unit may select an expert other than the selected expert from among pre-registered experts.

[0019] According to this aspect, if an answer cannot be obtained from the selected expert, the answering means determination unit selects a different expert, thereby enabling an appropriate answer to be provided in response to the question from the questioner.

[0020] In the above aspect, the experts may be composed of individuals and organizations including companies.

[0021] This approach will enable a wider range of experts to be recruited, which will also lead to the revitalization of the platform.

[0022] In the above aspect, the system may further include a memory unit that stores questions and answers in response to the questions, and the answering means determination unit may determine, based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit, whether the answer is an automatic answer based on the answers stored in the memory unit or an expert answer.

[0023] According to this aspect, since the device further includes a storage unit that stores questions and answers, the answering means determination unit determines whether the answer is an automatic answer based on the answers stored in the storage unit or an answer from an expert. If the question is highly related to the questions stored in the storage unit, automatic answering allows for a faster and more appropriate answer. This also reduces the burden on the expert.

[0024] In the above aspect, the means for answering a question may be such that the questioner can select either an automatic answer or an expert answer.

[0025] According to this aspect, the questioner can select either an automatic answer or an answer from an expert, so the questioner can select the speed and accuracy of the answer they require depending on the content and situation of their question.

[0026] In the above aspect, the questioner may be able to select at least one of an automatic answer and an expert answer depending on the type of membership using the knowledge management system.

[0027] According to this aspect, the questioner can select between an automatic answer and an expert answer depending on the type of membership using the knowledge management system, and can therefore use the knowledge management system appropriately, taking into account, for example, the usage costs.

[0028] In the above aspect, the system may further include an incentive granting unit that grants an incentive to a selected expert when a response is received from the expert within a predetermined time.

[0029] According to this aspect, if an answer is received from an expert within a specified time, the incentive granting unit grants the expert an incentive, which motivates the expert to answer questions and, as a result, enables the expert to respond to questions from questioners more quickly and appropriately.

[0030] In the above aspect, the incentive granting unit may grant the expert a first incentive for each answer to a question, or a second incentive on the condition that the expert uses the knowledge management system for a predetermined period of time.

[0031] According to this aspect, the incentive granting unit can grant appropriate incentives to the expert, which motivates the expert to answer questions, and as a result, the expert can respond to questions from the questioner more quickly and appropriately.

[0032] In the above aspect, the incentive granting unit may grant a first incentive if the expert is an individual, and grant a second incentive if the expert is an organization including a company.

[0033] According to this aspect, the incentive granting unit can grant appropriate incentives depending on whether the expert is an individual or an organization, which motivates the expert to answer questions and, as a result, allows the expert to respond to questions from questioners more quickly and appropriately.

[0034] In the above aspect, the system may further include an advertisement section that posts information about the construction industry in an area that can be viewed by the questioner.

[0035] According to this aspect, the advertising department posts information about the construction industry in an area that can be viewed by questioners, and therefore functions as a place for sharing knowledge and also has the function of advertising to those interested in architecture, thereby contributing to the development of human resources in the construction industry and the development and revitalization of the industry.

[0036] A knowledge management method according to one aspect of the present invention is a knowledge management method executed by a knowledge management system that answers questions from questioners, and includes a question reception step that receives questions about the construction industry from questioners, a question analysis step that analyzes the questions received in the question reception step, an answer means determination step that determines an answer means for the question based on the question analyzed in the question analysis step, an answer generation step that generates an answer to the question using the answer means determined in the answer means determination step, and a response step that responds to the questioner with the answer generated in the answer generation step, wherein the answer means includes an expert answer that is provided by collaborating with an expert who has knowledge about the construction industry.

[0037] According to this aspect, in the question receiving step, a question about the construction industry is received from a questioner, and in the question analysis step, the question is analyzed. In the answering means determination step, an answering means including an expert answer that answers the question by collaborating with an expert is determined based on the analyzed question. In the answer generating step, an answer to the question is generated by the answering means, and in the responding step, the answer generated in the answer generating step is responded to the questioner. This makes it possible to respond to the question from the questioner with a quick and appropriate answer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0038] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a knowledge management system and a knowledge management method that can provide a prompt and appropriate answer to a question from a questioner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a knowledge management system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram showing each function of a server device (platform) 100 constituting a knowledge management system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the state of experts 30 who are linked by a reply means determination unit 130 in the server device 100. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in a knowledge management method M100 executed by the knowledge management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration in which the server device (platform) 100 shown in FIG. 2 further has additional functions. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a knowledge management system 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals wherever possible, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0041] First Embodiment [Knowledge Management System Overview] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a knowledge management system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the knowledge management system 10 includes a server device (platform) 100. The server device 100 is capable of communicating with terminals of questioners 20 and experts 30 who use the knowledge management system 10, for example, via a network such as the Internet.

[0042] The questioner 20 uses a terminal such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone to ask a question about the construction industry and obtain an answer. The questioner 20 may be, for example, a construction-related company 21 or a construction-related individual 22, and may include people engaged in construction-related work and people engaged in work peripheral to construction-related work.

[0043] The experts 30 answer questions about the construction industry using devices such as personal computers, tablets, and smartphones. The experts 30 are experts with knowledge about the construction industry, and may include, for example, private inspection agencies 31, building material companies 32, housing equipment companies 33, and electrical equipment companies 34, as well as people working in construction-related work and peripheral work at these agencies and companies.

[0044] The server device 100 accepts questions related to construction from questioners 20 (construction-related companies 21 and construction-related individuals 22), receives answers to the questions from experts 30, and responds to the questioners 20.

[0045] In response to a construction-related question from a questioner 20, the server device 100 may generate an answer to the question based on the accumulated history (questions and answers), or may generate an answer to the question in cooperation with an expert 30. Furthermore, the server device 100 may select and cooperate with an appropriate expert 30 (such as a private inspection and verification organization 31, a building material company 32, a housing equipment company 33, or an electrical equipment company 34) depending on the content of the question. Details of the answering means for generating an answer will be described later.

[0046] [Knowledge Management System Configuration] 2 is a functional block diagram showing each function of a server device (platform) 100 constituting a knowledge management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 100 includes a question receiving unit 110, a question analyzing unit 120, a reply means determining unit 130, a reply generating unit 140, a responding unit 150, and a storage unit 160, and responds to a question from a questioner 20 in cooperation with an expert 30.

[0047] The question receiving unit 110 receives a question about the construction industry from the questioner 20. For example, the questioner 20 uses a terminal such as his / her own smartphone to write a question in an inquiry form using a dedicated application or a web system that has been pre-installed, and the question receiving unit 110 receives the question.

[0048] The question analysis unit 120 analyzes the questions received by the question receiving unit 110. The question analysis unit 120 analyzes the content of the question to determine, for example, whether the question includes matters related to confirmation reviews and on-site inspections based on laws such as the Building Standards Act, whether the question includes matters related to building materials, whether the question includes matters related to home appliances, and whether the question includes matters related to electrical equipment. In other words, the question analysis unit 120 analyzes the content of the question to determine the field of the question. Note that AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the like may be used for these analyses.

[0049] The question field may be selectable by the questioner 20. For example, when the questioner 20 writes a question in the inquiry form, the question field may be selected from pre-registered question fields according to the content of the question. The question analysis unit 120 can appropriately grasp the question field selected by the questioner 20.

[0050] The answering means determination unit 130 determines the answering means to the question based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120. For example, the answering means determination unit 130 selects and cooperates with an appropriate expert 30 (such as a private inspection and verification organization 31, a building material company 32, a housing equipment company 33, or an electrical equipment company 34) depending on the content of the question.

[0051] Specifically, the answering means determination unit 130 selects an appropriate expert 30 to answer the question based on the field of the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the experts 30 include a private inspection agency 31, a building material company 32, a housing equipment company 33, and an electrical equipment company 34, and are registered in advance, and each expert has their own expertise in the construction industry.

[0052] The answering means determination unit 130 selects and collaborates with an appropriate expert 30 from among pre-registered experts 30 (such as a private inspection agency 31, a building material company 32, a housing equipment company 33, and an electrical equipment company 34) based on the field of the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120. If the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120 includes matters related to inspection reviews and on-site inspections based on laws such as the Building Standards Act (if the question includes a question related to laws and regulations), the answering means determination unit 130 selects the private inspection agency 31. Similarly, if the question includes matters related to building materials, the answering means determination unit 130 selects the building material company 32, if the question includes matters related to housing equipment, the answering means determination unit 130 selects the housing equipment company 33, and if the question includes matters related to electrical equipment, the answering means determination unit 130 selects the electrical equipment company 34. Note that information about the experts 30 is pre-stored in the storage unit 160.

[0053] The answer generation unit 140 generates an answer to the question using the answering means determined by the answering means determination unit 130. For example, the answer generation unit 140 generates an answer (expert answer) from the linked expert 30 as the answer.

[0054] The response unit 150 responds to the questioner 20 with the answer generated by the answer generation unit 140. For example, the response unit 150 responds to the questioner 20 with the answer to the question accepted by the question acceptance unit 110 by using a dedicated application, a web system, email, or the like.

[0055] Furthermore, if the response unit 150 is unable to provide an answer to the questioner 20 within a predetermined time, it may respond to that effect to the questioner 20. For example, if the response generation unit 140 is unable to obtain an answer (expert answer) from the linked expert 30 and is unable to generate an answer to the questioner 20, and a predetermined time has passed since the reception unit 110 received the question from the questioner 20, the response unit 150 will respond to that effect to the questioner 20. At that time, the response unit 150 may provide contact information (such as a telephone number or email address) of the help desk so that the questioner 20 can make an inquiry to the help desk.

[0056] Here, the answering means determination unit 130 selects an appropriate expert 30 to answer the question based on the field of the question, but it may also cooperate with multiple experts 30.

[0057] 3 is a diagram showing the state of experts 30 who are linked by the response means determination unit 130 in the server device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the response means determination unit 130 may be linked in order with a private inspection and verification agency 31, a building material company 32, a housing equipment company 33, and an electrical equipment company 34.

[0058] For example, the response means determination unit 130 first cooperates with the private confirmation and inspection agency 31 and waits for a response to the question, and if the response is not received within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes), it then cooperates with the building materials company 32 and waits for a response to the question. Similarly, if the response means determination unit 130 does not receive a response from the building materials company 32 within the predetermined time, it cooperates with the housing equipment company 33, and then cooperates with the electrical equipment company 34 and waits for a response. In this way, the response means determination unit 130 cooperates with the pre-registered experts 30 in order, and when the response generation unit 140 receives a response (expert response) from the cooperated expert 30, it generates the expert response as a response to the question.

[0059] It should be noted that which of the multiple pre-registered experts 30 to collaborate with and in what order to collaborate may be set, for example, according to the degree of relevance between the content of the question (question field) and the expertise of each expert 30, so as to obtain a quick and appropriate answer. Also, while collaboration with each of the multiple experts 30 is performed in order here, this is not limited to this, and collaboration with two or more experts 30 may be performed in duplicate. It should be noted that AI or the like may also be used in these settings.

[0060] Furthermore, the asker 20 may be able to select at least one expert 30 from among the pre-registered experts 30. For example, when the asker 20 writes a question in an inquiry form, the asker 20 may select an expert 30 from the pre-registered experts 30 that he or she wants to answer the question. The asker 20 may select an expert 30 that he or she wants to answer the question because he or she received an appropriate answer when asking a question in the past, or because the expert 30 is a manufacturer of housing equipment that the asker 20 is currently using (or considering). This allows the answering means determination unit 130 to appropriately select an expert 30 to answer the question from the asker 20.

[0061] Furthermore, the server device 100 may store questions received by the question receiving unit 110 and answers given to the questions by the response unit 150 in the storage unit 160. In addition to the past records of questions and answers in the knowledge management system 10, the storage unit 160 may store in advance, or may register periodically or irregularly, questions and answers from other systems and anticipated questions and answers. The storage unit 160 may be configured as a storage device (database) separate from the server device 100.

[0062] As described above, the answer generation unit 140 generates answers (expert answers) from the experts 30 as answers to questions received by the question receiving unit 110, but it may also generate answers stored in the memory unit 160 as answers to questions received by the question receiving unit 110 without cooperating with the experts 30 (automatic answers).

[0063] For example, the answering means determination unit 130 may determine, based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120, whether to provide an automatic answer based on answers stored in the storage unit 160 or an answer from an expert. Specifically, the answering means determination unit 130 determines, based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120, whether there is an identical or similar question (a question highly related to the question) among the questions stored in the storage unit 160, and if there is a question highly related to the question, determines to provide an automatic answer. Then, the answer generation unit 140 generates an answer to the question received by the question receiving unit 110 based on the answer to the question stored in the storage unit 160.

[0064] The questioner 20 may be able to select either an automatic answer or an expert answer. For example, when the questioner 20 writes a question in the inquiry form, the questioner 20 may select either an automatic answer or an expert answer. In the case of an automatic answer, the questioner 20 can obtain a response more quickly because the response is based on the answers to the question stored in the storage unit 160 without linking with the expert 30. In the case of an expert answer, the questioner 20 can obtain a more appropriate response because the response is from an expert 30 who has expertise according to the content of the question.

[0065] [Knowledge management methods] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in a knowledge management method M100 executed by the knowledge management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the knowledge management method M100 includes steps S110 to S190 executed by a processor included in the knowledge management system 10.

[0066] In step S110, the question receiving unit 110 receives a question about the construction industry from the asker 20 (question receiving step). As a specific example, the question receiving unit 110 receives a question written by the asker 20 in an inquiry form.

[0067] In step S120, the question analysis unit 120 analyzes the question received in step S110 (question analysis step). As a specific example, the question analysis unit 120 analyzes the question received in step S110 to determine the question field.

[0068] In step S130, the answering means determination unit 130 determines the answering means for the question based on the question analyzed in step S120 (answering means determination step). As a specific example, the answering means determination unit 130 determines, based on the question analyzed in step S120, whether the answering means is an automatic answer based on answers stored in the storage unit 160 or an expert answer in cooperation with the expert 30 (answering means determination step).

[0069] If there is a question stored in the memory unit 160 that is identical or similar to the question analyzed in step S120 (a question with a high degree of relevance), the answering means determination unit 130 determines that it is an automatic answer ("Yes" in step S130), and if there is no question, it determines that it is an expert answer ("No" in step S130).

[0070] In step S140 (if "Yes" in step S130), answer generation unit 140 generates an automatic answer based on the answers to the question stored in storage unit 160 (automatic answer generation step). Also, answer generation unit 140 may automatically generate an answer to the question using AI.

[0071] In step S150 (if "No" in step S130), the answering means determination unit 130 selects an appropriate expert 30 to answer the question based on the question analyzed in step S120 (expert selection step). As a specific example, the answering means determination unit 130 selects and collaborates with an expert 30 who has expertise in accordance with the question field of the question analyzed in step S120.

[0072] In step S160, the answer generation unit 140 determines whether or not there is an answer from the expert 30 linked in step S150 (expert answer determination step). As a specific example, if the answer generation unit 140 is unable to obtain an answer within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) (in the case of "No" in step S160), the process proceeds to step S190, and in step S190 the response unit 150 responds to the questioner 20 that no answer has been obtained (answer not possible response step).

[0073] On the other hand, if the answer generation unit 140 is able to obtain an answer within a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (if "Yes" in step S160), it proceeds to processing in step S170 and generates the answer from the expert 30 as an expert answer to the question (expert answer generation step).

[0074] In step S180, the response unit 150 responds to the questioner 20 with the automatic response generated in step S140 or the expert response generated in step S170 as a response to the question accepted in step S110 (response step).

[0075] As described above, in the knowledge management system 10 and knowledge management method M100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the question receiving unit 110 receives a question about the construction industry from the questioner 20, and the question analysis unit 120 analyzes the question. The answering means determination unit 130 determines whether to provide an automatic answer or an expert answer for the question analyzed by the question analysis unit 120, and if an expert answer is to be provided, determines the answering means to select an expert 30 with expertise appropriate to the field of the question. The answer generation unit 140 generates an answer based on the answering means determined by the answering means determination unit 130, and the response unit 150 responds to the questioner 20 with the answer generated by the answer generation unit 140. This allows for a prompt and appropriate answer to be provided to the question from the questioner 20.

[0076] [Effects on questioners and experts] For the questioner 20, by using a smartphone or the like to resolve questions and uncertainties in a timely manner, the flow of work can be reduced and work can be promoted even during a meeting or while working.

[0077] For companies, employees can reduce their working hours and improve work efficiency by using the knowledge management system 10 as questioners 20. As a result, it is possible to contribute to work style reform for engineers in the construction industry, improve work-life balance, and improve the working environment in the industry as a whole.

[0078] For companies that act as experts 30, using the knowledge management system 10 can reduce the effort and costs involved in operating the company's own system to respond to questions from users who are using (or considering using) the company's products.

[0079] Furthermore, since each expert 30 responds according to their field of expertise, the company serving as the expert 30 can reduce the number of opportunities to respond to questions outside their field of expertise. Furthermore, since questions and answers are accumulated in the knowledge management system 10, identical or similar questions (questions with high relevance) can be automatically answered. As a result, the burden of responding on the company serving as the expert 30 can be reduced.

[0080] Furthermore, companies acting as experts30 can promote their own services by answering the questions. For example, they can introduce their own products in their answers or make specific sales pitches, including visiting the companies.

[0081] [How questioners and experts use the service] When using the knowledge management system 10, the questioner 20 may have, for example, a subscription contract such as a yearly or monthly fee, or a contract in which a fee is charged for each question. Note that, depending on the type of contract (membership type), for example, a free member may be able to select only an automatic answer to a question, while a paid member may be able to select both an automatic answer and an expert answer.

[0082] Similarly, companies serving as experts 30 may have a subscription contract, such as an annual or monthly contract, and may also be able to receive incentives if they answer questions as experts 30.

[0083] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration in which the server device (platform) 100 shown in Fig. 2 has additional functions. As shown in Fig. 5, the server device (platform) 100 further includes an incentive granting unit 170 and an advertising unit 180 in addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0084] For example, the server device 100 further includes an incentive granting unit 170 that grants incentives to the experts 30. Specifically, when a selected expert 30 answers a question from the questioner 20 within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes), the incentive granting unit 170 may grant an incentive to the expert 30 according to the number of answers. Information regarding the number of answers and answering time of each expert 30 may be stored in the storage unit 160 each time, and the incentive granting unit 170 may grant incentives to each expert 30 based on the information stored in the storage unit 160. Here, incentives may include reducing or waiving fees for the subscription contract, such as the annual or monthly fee described above, granting rewards or points for each answer, or even publicizing the expert 30 as a top expert.

[0085] [others] The server device 100 may further include an advertising section 180 that posts information about the construction industry. When the questioner 20 uses the knowledge management system 10, the advertising section 180 posts information about the construction industry in viewable areas of the screens, such as the top page of the knowledge management system 10, the login page, the inquiry form screen for writing a question, and the screen for checking the answer to the question.

[0086] The information posted by the advertising department 180 may include, for example, companies in the construction industry (including private inspection agencies 31 as experts 30, building material companies 32, housing equipment companies 33, and electrical equipment companies 34), construction magazines, architectural qualification schools, and other items that companies in the construction industry wish to advertise (disseminate) to employees and other people interested in the construction industry.

[0087] The rights to these advertisements may be granted as an incentive to the above-mentioned experts 30, or may be granted separately by companies (or individuals) who wish to advertise (disseminate) the information in accordance with the advertising expenses.

[0088] In this way, the knowledge management system 10 functions as a knowledge sharing forum that provides quick and appropriate answers to questions from questioners 20 in the construction industry, and also has the function of advertising to people interested in architecture, thereby contributing to the development of human resources in the construction industry and the development and revitalization of the industry.

[0089] Second Embodiment Next, in a second embodiment of the present invention, an aspect in which construction-related individuals participate as experts will be described. In this embodiment, mainly, configurations different from the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, and detailed descriptions of the same configurations as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified by assigning the same reference numerals.

[0090] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a knowledge management system 11 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, the knowledge management system 11 is different from the knowledge management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 in that construction-related individuals (experts) 40 are added to the experts 30.

[0091] The experts 30 are experts with knowledge of the construction industry who will answer questions from the questioners 20, and are mainly composed of private institutions and companies in the construction industry, and further include construction-related individuals (experts) 40.

[0092] Construction-related individuals (experts) 40 are people with expertise in the construction industry, and may include, for example, qualified architects, construction management engineers, construction machinery construction engineers, and electricians, as well as people currently working in the construction industry or who have worked in the industry (retirees, those on maternity leave, or childcare leave).

[0093] The construction-related individuals (experts) 40 may be registered as appropriate individuals to answer questions from the questioner 20, based on, for example, whether they have certain qualifications, work experience in the construction industry, or other certain specialized knowledge. This makes it possible to ensure that questions from the questioner 20 are answered appropriately.

[0094] [Effects on questioners and experts] For questioners 20, an increase in the number of experts 30, including construction-related individuals (experts) 40, will enable them to receive faster and more appropriate answers. Furthermore, an increase in the number of experts 30 will also lead to the activation of the platform.

[0095] For the company as an expert 30, the construction-related individual (expert) 40 can reduce the opportunity to answer questions from the questioner 20.

[0096] For construction-related individuals (experts) 40 as knowledgeable persons 30, in addition to working on the front lines in the construction industry, they can also work as a side job by utilizing their qualifications, experience, and knowledge. For example, they can work not only on-site or in the office, but also remotely (from home, while traveling, etc.) or by utilizing their spare time.

[0097] When a construction-related individual (expert) 40 selected as an expert 30 answers a question from a questioner 20 within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes), the incentive granting unit may grant an incentive to the construction-related individual (expert) 40 according to the number of answers or for each answer. Here, the incentive may include granting a reward or points for each answer, or even publicizing the individual as an excellent expert.

[0098] <Other> The knowledge management systems 10 and 11 may be configured to provide a suggestion assist function when the asker 20 writes a question in an inquiry form. The suggestion assist function performs predictive conversion on the input text so that the asker 20 is prevented from writing abbreviations and in-house terminology that they normally use as much as possible, and is prompted to write (select) terms (technical terms) that are commonly used in the construction industry, for example.

[0099] This allows questions from questioner 20 to be standardized and easily understood by expert 30. As a result, expert 30 can easily and quickly give an appropriate answer.

[0100] Furthermore, the inquiry form may allow the questioner 20 to attach drawings (images) such as reference drawings and standard drawings in addition to text input.

[0101] Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described using the construction industry as an example, the present invention is not limited to the construction industry and can also be applied to other industries, such as the real estate industry, medical industry, automobile industry, electronics industry, information and communications industry, finance and insurance industry, and specialized fields such as law.

[0102] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10, 11...knowledge management system, 20...questioner, 21...construction-related company, 22...construction-related individual, 30...expert, 40...construction-related individual (expert), 31...private inspection agency, 32...building material company, 33...housing equipment company, 34...electrical equipment company, 100...server device (platform), 110...question reception unit, 120...question analysis unit, 130...answer means determination unit, 140...answer generation unit, 150...response unit, 160...storage unit, 170...incentive granting unit, 180...advertising unit, M100...knowledge management method, S110 to S190...each step in knowledge management method M100

Claims

1. A knowledge management system that answers questions from questioners, a question receiving unit that receives questions about the construction industry from the questioner; a question analysis unit that analyzes the question received by the question receiving unit; a response means determination unit that determines a response means to the question based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit; an answer generation unit that generates an answer to the question using the answering means determined by the answering means determination unit; a response unit that responds to the questioner with the answer generated by the answer generation unit, The response means includes an expert response provided in collaboration with an expert with knowledge of the construction industry. Knowledge management system.

2. the question analysis unit analyzes a question field corresponding to the content of the question, When collaborating with the expert, the answering means determination unit selects at least one expert from among the experts registered in advance based on the question field analyzed by the question analysis unit. The knowledge management system according to claim 1 .

3. The said experts include at least a confirmation inspection agency for building inspections, When the question analyzed by the question analysis unit includes a question regarding laws and regulations, the response means determination unit selects the verification inspection agency. The knowledge management system according to claim 2 .

4. The question field can be selected by the questioner. The knowledge management system according to claim 2 .

5. At least one of the pre-registered experts can be selected by the questioner. The knowledge management system according to claim 2 .

6. If no response is received from the selected expert, the response means determination unit selects an expert other than the selected expert from among the experts registered in advance. The knowledge management system according to claim 2 .

7. The experts consist of individuals and organizations, including companies. The knowledge management system according to claim 1 .

8. a storage unit that stores the questions and answers to the questions; the answering means determination unit determines, based on the question analyzed by the question analysis unit, whether the answer is an automatic answer based on the answers stored in the storage unit or the expert answer. The knowledge management system according to claim 1 .

9. The answering means for the question allows the questioner to select either the automatic answer or the expert answer. The knowledge management system according to claim 8.

10. The questioner can select at least one of the automatic answer and the expert answer depending on the membership type of the user of the knowledge management system. The knowledge management system according to claim 9.

11. an incentive granting unit that grants an incentive to the selected expert when a response is received from the expert within a predetermined time; The knowledge management system according to claim 2 .

12. the incentive granting unit grants the expert a first incentive for each answer to the question, or grants the expert a second incentive on the condition that the expert uses the knowledge management system for a predetermined period of time; The knowledge management system of claim 11.

13. the incentive granting unit grants the first incentive when the expert is an individual, and grants the second incentive when the expert is an organization including a company; The knowledge management system of claim 12.

14. The system further includes an advertisement section that displays information about the construction industry in an area that can be viewed by the questioner. The knowledge management system according to claim 1 .

15. A knowledge management method executed by a knowledge management system that answers questions from questioners, comprising: a question receiving step of receiving a question about the construction industry from the questioner; a question analysis step of analyzing the question received in the question receiving step; a response means determination step of determining a response means for the question based on the question analyzed in the question analysis step; an answer generating step of generating an answer to the question by the answering means determined in the answering means determining step; a replying step of replying to the questioner with the answer generated in the answer generating step, The response means includes an expert response provided in collaboration with an expert with knowledge of the construction industry. Knowledge management methods.

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