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Operations & Maintenance

The Secret to Getting Great Answers from HxGN Alix: Ask the Right Question!


Why Does the Way You Ask Questions Matter? 

Imagine you have a magical personal librarian who can fetch any book you need. You'd only get the right book if you told the librarian exactly what you were looking for, right? In AI speak, all the information it has stored across volumes of documents and the based knowledge used to train it works pretty much like that librarian: it searches through its treasure trove of information, trying to piece together a relevant answer. 

  • Be as specific as possible! If your question is too broad or lacks details, the AI will not know which part of its library to look for the answer you seek. 

  • What's the goal? A well-structured question helps the AI figure out your end goal. Are you looking for a product specification, a step-by-step how-to, or tips on best practices?


The Trouble with Ambiguous Questions 

Ambiguity is the archnemesis of AI. Why? When AI is confronted with a question like "What's the best way to set this up?" it doesn't know: Set what up? For what purpose? On which application? If we're talking about HxGN Alix, with comprehensive knowledge about AKMS, J5, OpenCAD and a giant technical product like HxGN EAM, with tons of features and many different ways to achieve the same objective, the possibilities are endless. 

  • Information overload: Large technical products often have pages upon pages of specs, instructions and use cases. Without clear direction, the AI might just pull out random chunks of info that might not help you. 

  • No context, no clue: If you don't clarify the context like which part of what product you're focusing on AI systems have to guess, and that guess can easily be wrong.


How to Ask a Question the "Right" Way 

So, how do you become a superstar at asking the right questions? 

    1. Give enough context: "In HxGN EAM, how do you generate a meter-based PM work order?" This is far more useful than "How do I set a PM work order?" The latter question will provide you with an answer, but would it be the answer you wanted? 

    2. Be specific: Instead of "What's the best way to get notifications?" try "How can I configure HxGN EAM mobile to receive email notifications?" 

    3. Mention your constraints: If you have special requirements or limitations like "I only have little memory on the mobile devices" or "I need this to work offline" make it clear in your question. 

Remember, the AI isn't a mind reader. It relies on your question to guide its search and generation process. Think of it like cooking instructions if your recipe doesn't say how much salt to use, you might end up with a soup that's too bland or too salty! 

 

Why AI Can't Just "Guess" Your Intent 

Imagine going to a restaurant and telling the waiter, "Just surprise me." That might be fun once, but you could end up with something you really didn't want. Have you ever had omakase (chef's special) at a Japanese restaurant and gotten "konowata"? I have, and trust me, it's an acquired taste. AI is similar it can't magically know which "surprise" you'll enjoy. Sure, AI can estimate based on patterns in data, but if you give it no clues, it can't predict whether you're hungry for salmon or sea cucumber intestines sushi. 

  • Patterns vs. mind reading: An AI system can detect patterns in language, but it can't read your thoughts or guess your personal preferences unless you provide clues. 

  • Too many possibilities: Technical products often have countless configurations, features, and scenarios. HxGN EAM certainly does, which is why it's the best enterprise asset management solution in the market. Without a clear question, the AI doesn't know which path to take. 

 

Conclusion 

Asking questions is an art form especially when dealing with Enterprise GenAI systems, like HxGN Alix or any kind of GenAI. If your question is too vague, you'll get a muddled answer. If it's too ambiguous, you'll get a guess that might leave you more puzzled than before. Remember "konowata"? But if you craft your question like a pro offering context, specifics and a clear goal you'll unlock the AI's full potential, just like having a magical librarian who always grabs the perfect book. 

So, next time you're chatting with HxGN Alix or any other GenAI about a complex product or subject, remember to be clear and specific about your intent. That way, you'll both walk away feeling like brainiacs! 

About the Author

Julio P. Roque Vice President, Software Development Julio is a technology leader with 20+ years of Enterprise Software experience. Equally comfortable building a new product or leading a major digital transformation. Julio joined Hexagon's Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division by the Infor EAM acquisition and has held roles at top enterprise software leaders, including NA and APAC Services GM at IONA, Senior Director at SAP, and NOLA-APAC GM at Oracle. At Hexagon's Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division, Julio is one of the leaders of the HxGN EAM team. He leads the software development for HxGN EAM Flex Python, Constraint Optimizer, and Asset Investment Planning. He also performs other functions within the HxGN EAM development team. Julio attended the University of Puerto Rico and the University of Maryland. He is named in over seven patents and is a proud disabled US Army Veteran. Julio lives in Coconut Grove, FL, is a husband to Shannon, and a father to four daughters, including triplets.

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