Objective: In order to improve the quality of Chinese medicine in the production

knowledge organization method was applied to the identification of critical process parameters (CPPs) of Chinese medicine under the guidance of quality by design (QbD). Method: Taking literatures related to ethanol extraction process of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma as research object

rank-sum ratio (RSR) method was used to achieve CPPs recognition in ethanol extraction process of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

containing knowledge extracting

knowledge restructuring and result analyzing. Result: By using knowledge organization method and RSR method

the importance of CPPs in the research object was recognized successfully.Ethanol concentration and ethanol consumption were in the first level

their RSR values were 0.319 3 and 0.252 1

respectively.Followed by number of extraction

extraction time and extraction temperature

their RSR values were 0.180 7

0.205 9

0.067 23

respectively. Conclusion: Within the QbD framework

knowledge organization method can identify CPPs effectively and provide guidance for quality control in production process of Chinese medicine.