A system and method are provided for using a plurality of knowledge acquisition approaches to provide a solution to a task. The method includes providing at least one input parameter to define the task and at least one solution parameter to define the solution. A determination is made whether to use a Task-Method-Knowledge approach or a Structure-Behavior-Function approach for processing the task and the task is processed based on the input parameter. If the determined approach is the Task-Method-Knowledge approach, the processing may include determining whether a first portion of the task should be processed independently and whether to use the Task-Method-Knowledge approach or the Structure-Behavior-Function approach for processing the first portion. If the determined approach is the Structure-Behavior-Function approach, the processing may include determining whether a second portion of the task should be processed using the Task-Method-Knowledge approach. The solution is examined relative to the solution parameter.