An engineering design knowledge reuse methodology using process modelling.

This paper describes an approach for reusing engineering design knowledge. Many previous design knowledge reuse systems focus exclusively on geometrical data, which is often not applicable in early design stages. The proposed methodology provides an integrated design knowledge reuse framework, bringing together elements of best practice reuse, design rationale capture and knowledge-based support in a single coherent framework. Best practices are reused through the process model. Rationale is supported by product information, which is retrieved through links to design process tasks. Knowledge-based methods are supported by a common design data model, which serves as a single source of design data to support the design process. By using the design process as the basis for knowledge structuring and retrieval, it serves the dual purpose of design process capture and knowledge reuse: capturing and formalising the rationale that underpins the design process, and providing a framework through which design knowledge can be stored, retrieved and applied. The methodology has been tested with an industrial sponsor producing high vacuum pumps for the semiconductor industry

Analysing Supply Chain Strategies Using Knowledge-Based Techniques

Abstract. We are experiencing a digital revolution that is rapidly changing the way business is conducted. In this new economy, information is shared speedily and many participants are collaborating. Effective and seamless collaboration between distributed supply chain members is therefore crucial. To understand how this may be done, we describe a knowledge based framework for abstracting, enriching, analysing and improving supply chain models. We employ business process modelling as a useful methodology for capturing and analysing supply chain strategies. In addition, we use a meta-interpreter and workflow engine for simulating business processes to help understand business scenarios. Its declarative approach makes business rationale more transparent. Our work is demonstrated by looking at a case study of Dell’s supply chain management that depicts its PC supply chain operation logics and strategies

A Dynamic Approach to Process Design: A Pattern for Extending the Flexibility of Process Models

Part 4: Enterprise Modelling Approaches and Tools for Agility and FlexibilityInternational audienceThis paper presents a specific approach to Business Process design by combining selected principles of Adaptive Case Management, traditional modeling of processes executable in Business Process Management Systems, and a constraint-based approach to process design. This combined approach is intended for business situations, where traditional process models with rigid structures can lead to limitations of business flexibility. We propose a process design pattern that is suitable for the modeling of ad-hoc processes within common BPMS-based systems. The pattern can be used to define a process structure in a declarative constraint-based manner. Further, we present an application of the approach in an actual project, which is an end-to-end BPM project from an insurance business. The project uncovered needs for an extended flexibility of process structures. This along with requirements based on ad-hoc processes led to advancement in the presented approach. This paper presents a versatile, generally applicable solution, which was later tailored for the purpose of the aforementioned project and led to the successful satisfaction of the requirements. The approach is part of a more comprehensive research effort – complex BPM adoption methodology BPM4SME designed primarily for Small and Medium Enterprises, which put emphasis on the agility of the BPM adoption process and consequent flexible implementations of BPMS-based systems

Systems Approaches in the Enterprise Architecture Field of Research : A Systematic Literature Review

This study explores the use of the systems approaches (systems thinking and systems theories) as the theoretical underpinnings for Enterprise Architecture (EA) research. Both the academic and the practitioner communities have maintained an interest in EA due to its potential benefits, promising for the recent technological and business advances. EA as a research area is, however, characterized by diversified views depicted in different definitions of the concept, and no acknowledged common theoretical foundation. A number of prior studies have noticed this gap in the EA field of research, and called for a strengthening of the theory of EA. Variegated systems approaches have been suggested as a theory base. The aim of this study is to examine if, and to what extent the systems approaches could provide a common theoretical foundation. We contribute with a systematic literature review on the state-of-art of systems approaches in EA research. We find that the systems approaches are, indeed, frequently referred to in the EA studies. However, as of yet, the application of these theories appears to be fragmented, and the approaches are rarely systematically used in empirical studies. We discuss the findings, reflecting to the types of theory and the use of theory in our area of research.peerReviewe