Modelling Data Mining Processes on a Conceptual Level

Today many different software tools for Decision Support exist; the same is true for Data Mining which can be seen as a particularly challenging sub-area of Decision Support. Choosing the most suitable tool for a particular industrial data mining application is becoming difficult, especially for industrial decision makers whose expertise is in a different field. This paper provides a conceptual analysis of crucial features of current data mining software tools, by establishing an abstract view on typical processes in data mining. Thus a common terminology is given which simplifies the comparison of tools. Based on this analysis, objective decisions for the application of decision supporting software tools in industrial practice can be made.