Christine Kocourek

Decision support, planning, and data management of complex, discrete event systems

Complex software environments, such as CAD systems, consist of many modules which are often created, maintained, and executed separately. When such systems are invoked, appropriate execution sequences and parameters must be determined for each module so that desired results are produced. The task of planning, executing, and supervising the CAD environments has become so complex that it requires advanced computer support facilities. A sophisticated design process management system (DPMS) that helps to manage globally the design process in order to achieve adequate (if not optimal) design results is introduced. It thus makes design systems more autonomous by freeing resources for the critical design steps. The architecture of the system, as well as its data management, decision support, and planning facilities are described in detail and a prototype system is presented. The system has been used in the electronic design automation area.<<ETX>>

Concepts for computer assisted engineering process management

This paper presents concepts for computer aided support of engineering processes. We briefly discuss the basic tenets of the engineering enterprise and fundamental design and analysis techniques. Then, process modeling definitions are given and extended to encompass engineering process capture. An architecture is introduced that comprises executive, coordination, and execution layers, intended to provide an information system infrastructure for computer assisted support of engineering activities.

Planning and execution support for design processes

This paper discusses concept and techniques supporting modeling, planning and execution of design activities in distributed design environments. The task of planning, executing, and supervising the design environments has become so complex that in itself requires advanced computer support facilities. We propose concepts which integrate design process models, knowledge representation schemes, and conventional decision support techniques. This integration is part of a larger framework for design decision support and consulting. In what follows, we discuss modeling of design processes, an architecture of a design process management system (DPMS), and design decision support. The DPMS architecture promotes highly autonomous execution of system designs. The system has been used in electronic design automation area. However, the concepts described here are applicable to other design domains.

An Architecture for Process Modeling and Execution Support

This paper discusses concepts and techniques supporting modelling, planning and execution of design activities in distributed design environments. The task of planning, executing, and supervising the design processes has become so complex that it itself requires advanced computer support facilities. We propose extended planning facilities exploiting old design projects. The planning functions form a basis for a larger framework for decision and execution support. In what follows, we discuss the phases of a design process, especially planning including process model generation using history based planning techniques. Finally, we present our prototype of an architecture for a design process management system (DPMS). The DPMS architecture promotes highly autonomous execution of system designs. The system has been used in the electronic design automation area. The concepts described here, however, are also applicable to other design domains.