Building the KDD Roadmap: A Methodology for Knowledge Discovery

Knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) is an iterative multi-stage process for extracting useful, non-trivial information from large databases. Each stage of the process presents numerous choices to the user that can significantly change the outcome of the project. This methodology, presented in the form of a roadmap, emphasises the importance of the early stages of the KDD process and shows how careful planning can lead to a successful and well-managed project. The content is the result of expertise acquired through research and a wide range of practical experiences; the work is of value to KDD experts and novices alike. Each stage, from specification to exploitation, is described in detail with suggested approaches, resources and questions that should be considered. The final section describes how the methodology has been successfully used in the design of a commercial KDD toolkit.