Process modelling has become an established tool whereby the information requirements of the
design team may be identified, mapped, modelled and then reviewed to ensure that the final design
and the design process take cognisance of all the stakeholders involved within the project. Over the
last decade several techniques and products based on this approach have emerged. The ADePT
technique developed from initial research at Loughborough University has been used for the
management of the design of a range of infrastructure projects and engineering products. The
methodology that has subsequently evolved has helped to: ensure the rigorous planning of design;
control design deliverables; manage customer expectations, assist with change management; and
ensure the development of robust process and control systems.
Over this period the approach described in this chapter has been implemented on over 40 projects
in the UK and worldwide, with a total contract value of over £4Bn Evidence of the overall impact of
ADePT implementations has been gathered by ongoing research undertaken by the writers,
feedback from individual project teams and by independent assessment. The writers’ close
association with the initial research that led to the ADePT technique, and the subsequent
methodology and its implementation have enabled them to fully monitor and review not only the
development of the methodology but also its adoption and use for collaborative design across
project teams.
This chapter considers collaborative design to be project based design involving multi-disciplinary
teams. It outlines both the ADePT technique, the original method, the subsequently developed
methodology, the body of methods that have been produced, and their adoption within a
collaborative design environment. Three case studies are introduced to highlight the use of process
mapping, the repeatable nature of design, and the control of workflow. Lessons learned for the
transfer of innovations are also discussed
