Embedded knowledge service supporting product development process

The embedded knowledge service was proposed. Resource units were seamlessly integrated into the product development process so as to guarantee independence of design entity and resource units. The preconditions of embedded knowledge service were pointed out. The first was that the design entity should be able to conduct decomposition, integration of design tasks and be able to evaluate the knowledge service. The second was that there should be many hierarchical resource units, especially the applicable resource units which could assume massive design tasks. The third was that there should be an agency to support the search of resource units and the implementation of knowledge service. Analysis results demonstrated that if knowledge service environment was perfect, there would be strong design chain resulting from competitive selections. And this would ensure the smooth product development whenever the knowledge service environment was available.