A process data warehouse for tracing and reuse of engineering design processes

The design and development processes of complex technical systems are of crucial importance to the competitiveness of an enterprise. These processes are characterised by high creativity and strong non-deterministic dynamics. Traditional information science methods, however, are intended for more deterministic work processes. They cannot be effectively applied to support creative activities like conceptual synthesis, analysis, and decision-making. Therefore methods of experience management need to be exploited here. This paper presents a new integrated approach to such design process guidance based on capturing the process traces in a Process Data Warehouse (PDW). Both the products to be designed and the process steps corresponding, are structured and stored as extended method traces. This trace capture facilitates the processing and subsequent reuse of the information through a process-integrated development environment. The concept of the PDW has been evaluated in an engineering design case study which focuses on the phases of conceptual design and basic engineering in designing a chemical production plant.