Abstract: To generate a problem solving plan and/or a system control plan respectively in association with the contents of the problem and/or the system operation conditions, there are disposed element knowledge for storing therein problem solving methods and system control guidelines and harmonizing knowledge for selecting and/or modifying the element knowledge. Depending on the contents of the problem and/or the system operation conditions, selections and modifications are executed on the problem solving methods and system control guidelines so as to produce an optimal problem solving method and/or an optimal system control guideline. Even when the solving method, the problem solving condition, and system executing situation vary depending on a given problem solving condition and a given system executing situation, an appropriate solving plan can be proposed.

Abstract: On knowledge information processing and especially in a plan making system such as a system for generating schedule diagrams of trains and personnel, it becomes necessary to make or modify a plan by using a plurality of work stations when the plan becomes large-sized. At this time, the work stations are provided with equal plan making function. Thus, the work stations can divide planning responsibilities. Further, work stations are provided with priorities. Thus, management of competition among a plurality of work stations is facilitated and overhead caused by communication among a plurality of devices is reduced.

Abstract: A problem solving system including apparatus for representing a relationship between a goal including subgoals and its lower level subgoals and for achieving the goal as a strategy of a first kind. Apparatus is provided for repetitively dividing a goal including subgoals into its lower level subgoals according to the relationship between the goal and the subgoals. A strategy of a second kind is used to specify the functions to be performed by the apparatus to achieve the lowest subgoal. Apparatus is also provided for simplifying and solving a complicated problem by executing the goal including subgoals by use of the strategies of the first and second kinds.