Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for implementing a diagnostic system pertaining to a complex system includes receiving, by a computer implemented system, an observed symptom that characterizes a discrepancy report of a complex system, associating the observed symptom with contents of at least one electronic manual to capture relevant information therefrom, and evaluating the relevant information by the computer implemented system to recommend at least one desired action for mitigation of the discrepancy report without assuming knowledge about a historical discrepancy report similar to the reported discrepancy.