Showing papers on "Process modeling published in 1996"
Book•
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Part I: Basic Principles: Enterprise modeling and integration: an introduction; reference architectures for enterprise modeling and Integration; and Conclusion.
Abstract: Part I: Basic Principles: Enterprise modeling and integration: an introduction Reference architectures for enterprise modeling and integration Part II: Enterprise modeling:Enterprise modeling Modeling functional aspects Modeling information aspects Modeling resource aspects Modeling organization aspects Comparison and enterprise modeling tools Part III: Enterprise Integration: Enterprise integration Integrating infrastructure principles Integrating infrastructures for CIM Conclusion Appendices
572 citations
TL;DR: Frameworks for both representation and process for a computational model of creative design are presented; the representational framework is based on design prototypes whilst the process framework isbased on an evolutionary model.
Abstract: This paper commences by outlining notions of creativity before examining the role of emergence in creative design. Various process models of emergence are presented; these are based on notions of additive and substitutive variables resulting in additive and substitutive schemas. Frameworks for both representation and process for a computational model of creative design are presented. The representational framework is based on design prototypes whilst the process framework is based on an evolutionary model. The computational model brings both representation and process together.
305 citations
Patent•
25 Oct 1996TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a system and method for detecting faults in wafer fabrication process tools by acquiring real-time process parameter signal data samples used to model the process performed by the process tool.
Abstract: A system and method for detecting faults in wafer fabrication process tools by acquiring real-time process parameter signal data samples used to model the process performed by the process tool. The system includes a computer system including a DAQ device, which acquires the data samples, and a fault detector program which employs a process model program to analyze the data samples for the purpose of detecting faults. The model uses data samples in a reference database acquired from previous known good runs of the process tool. The fault detector notifies a process tool operator of any faults which occur thus potentially avoiding wafer scrap and potentially improving mean time between failures. The fault detector also receives notification of the occurrence of process events from the process tool, such as the start or end of processing a wafer, which the fault detector uses to start and stop the data acquisition, respectively. The fault detector also receives notification of the occurrence of a new process recipe and uses the recipe information to select the appropriate model for modeling the data samples. The fault detector employs a standard data exchange interface, such as DDE, between the fault detector and the model, thus facilitating modular selection of models best suited to the particular fabrication process being modeled. Embodiments are contemplated which use a UPM model, a PCA model, or a neural network model.
243 citations
Book•
01 Feb 1996
TL;DR: The IDEF Process Mapping Methodology as mentioned in this paper is a set of guidelines for process mapping software tool selection and implementation, as well as a collection of data for process Mapping.
Abstract: Do You Need a Roadmap? Reengineer Your Business Processes. Role of Process Mapping in Reengineering. Do You Really Understand Your Processes? Process Mapping Success Stories. IDEF Process Mapping Methodology. Create a Process Mapping Team. Process Mapping Software Tool Selection. How to Collect Data for Process Mapping. Process Map Implementation. Change It! Notes. Suggested Reading. Acronyms. Points of Contact. Glossary. Index.
209 citations
TL;DR: This paper explores the conditions under which radical changes in system structure are likely to be appropriate, and finds that a fairly high degree of variability in task times seems to be necessary.
Abstract: Process reengineering advocates making radical changes in how processing systems are structured, such as moving away from systems that use the principles of division of labor and division of management. Using formal system models from queueing theory, this paper explores the conditions under which such radical changes in system structure are likely to be appropriate. In general, a fairly high degree of variability in task times seems to be necessary.
174 citations
TL;DR: The state of the art and current trends in computer-aided modeling are presented in this contribution which is intended to serve as a survey and a tutorial at the same time.
171 citations
Patent•
08 May 1996
TL;DR: In this article, a process modeling system and method develop a set of process model inputs for a process model, such as a neural network, from values for a number of process input variables and at least one process output variable.
Abstract: A process modeling system and method develop a set of process model inputs for a process model, such as a neural network, from values for a number of process input variables and at least one process output variable. The system and method first determine a correlation measurement between each of the process input variables and the process output variable and select a set of potential model input variables based on the correlation measurements. The system and method then iteratively determine a succession of sets of potential model input variables by performing a regression analysis on the selected set of potential model input variables and the model output variable and by then refining the set of potential model input variables based on the result of the regression analysis and on the correlation measurements. After a number of iterations, the system and method choose a set of potential model input variables as the set of model inputs and develop a process model from the chosen set of model inputs.
140 citations
TL;DR: The Modular Modeling System (MMS) as discussed by the authors is an integrated system of computer software that is being developed to provide the research and operational framework needed to support development, testing, and evaluation of physical-process algorithms, and to facilitate integration of user-selected sets of algorithms into operational physicalprocess models.
Abstract: The Modular Modeling System (MMS) is an integrated system of computer software that is being developed to provide the research and operational framework needed to support development, testing, and evaluation of physical-process algorithms, and to facilitate integration of user-selected sets of algorithms into operational physical-process models. MMS uses a module library that contains compatible modules for simulating a variety of water, energy, and biogeochemical processes. A model is created by selectively linking modules from the library using MMS model-building tools. A geographic information system (GIS) interface also is being developed for MMS to support a variety of GIS tools for use in characterizing and parameterizing topographic, hydrologic, and ecosystem features, visualizing spatially and temporally distributed model parameters and variables, and analyzing and validating model results. MMS is being coupled with the Power Reservoir System Model (PRSYM) to provide a database-centered decision support system for making complex operational decisions on multipurpose reservoir systems and watersheds. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation are working collaboratively on a project titled the Watershed Modeling Systems Initiative to develop and apply the coupled MMS — PRSYM models to the San Juan River basin in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
102 citations
02 Dec 1996
TL;DR: Endeavors' solution architecture achieves its goals and design strategies through application of five key design strategies by maintaining multiple object model layers and implementing the architecture as a set of highly componentized, lightweight, transportable, concurrent elements.
Abstract: As software projects evolve, possibly differing in size, complexity, scope and purpose, the development processes that support the project must evolve to reflect these changes. For a distributed project, maintaining proper communications, coordinating between project stakeholders, and maintaining managerial control become increasingly important and, unfortunately, increasingly difficult. The Endeavors system is an open, distributed process modeling and execution infrastructure that addresses communication, coordination, and control issues. Complex processes may require: (a) distribution of people and processes; event based and intermediate format integration of external tools; a low entry barrier through ease of use and incremental adoption; ability to customize and reuse objects, tools, and policies; and dynamic change of runtime processes, objects, and behaviors. Endeavors' solution architecture achieves these goals through application of five key design strategies: (1) maintaining multiple object model layers; (2) implementing the architecture as a set of highly componentized, lightweight, transportable, concurrent elements; (3) providing customization capabilities for each layer of the object model; (4) using a reflexive object model to support dynamic change; and (5) allowing dynamic loading and changing of objects including loading of executable handlers, new object types, and extensions. We discuss these goals and design strategies, describe the architecture, and describe the current status of the project and its relevance to its own development.
100 citations
03 Jan 1996
TL;DR: This model is used to explain the inconsistency in the literature regarding the benefits of EDI and other interorganizational systems, which are described as providing strategic competitive advantage in some articles, and as providing little or no benefits for implementing firms in other articles.
Abstract: Interorganizational business process reengineering is a logical extension of discussions in the 1980s of the potential for interorganizational systems to fundamentally redefine relationships between buyers and sellers and even competitors within an industry context. The paper presents a framework or model describing the relationship between technological and process innovations, and describes the interdependence of these two forces in the context of interorganizational business process redesign. This framework can be used to examine unique characteristics of reengineering within a single organization and across multiple organizations. This model is used to explain the inconsistency in the literature regarding the benefits of EDI and other interorganizational systems, which are described as providing strategic competitive advantage in some articles, and as providing little or no benefits for implementing firms in other articles. The framework describes the importance of merging technological and process innovations in order to achieve the potential to transform both organizations and interorganizational processes and relationships.
99 citations
TL;DR: A new technique for neural-network-based modeling of chemical processes is proposed, inspired by the technique of stacked generalization proposed by Wolpert, and results obtained demonstrate the promise of this approach for improved neural- network-based plant-process modeling.
Abstract: A new technique for neural-network-based modeling of chemical processes is proposed. Stacked neural networks allow multiple neural networks to be selected and used to model a given process. The idea is that improved predictions can be obtained using multiple networks, instead of simply selecting a single, hopefully optimal network, as is usually done. A methodology for stacking neural networks for plant-process modeling has been developed. This method is inspired by the technique of stacked generalization proposed by Wolpert. The proposed method has been applied and evaluated for three example problems, including the dynamic modeling of a nonlinear chemical process. Results obtained demonstrate the promise of this approach for improved neural-network-based plant-process modeling.
TL;DR: This paper discusses general modeling mechanisms and looks at several issues relating specifically to process modeling for AEC, comparing the approaches of the various core models described, and providing some recommendations.
Abstract: Computer-integrated construction (CIC) and concurrent engineering for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) require data standards or common information models through which computer systems can exchange project information High-level conceptual core models are required as unifying references for the more detailed, application-specific models used for the actual information exchange A variety of core models have been developed in the area of AEC process information This paper introduces several such models from a variety of projects It discusses general modeling mechanisms and looks at several issues relating specifically to process modeling for AEC, comparing the approaches of the various core models described, and providing some recommendations The overall objective is the eventual emergence of generally accepted standards in this area
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a general formulation for road cooling followed by results and their implications, and propose directions for future work, and discuss the complexity of the problems and characteristics of fused deposition.
Abstract: Explains the fused deposition process and examines the rationale behind the cooling process model. Outlines the complexity of the problems and characteristics of fused deposition. Presents a general formulation for road cooling followed by results and their implications. Concludes with proposed directions for future work.
DOI•
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: A selection of photos from the 2016/17 USGS report on quantitative hazard assessments of earthquake-triggered landsliding and liquefaction at the USGS Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Abstract: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TL;DR: A combined multiperiod/stochastic optimization formulation is proposed along with a decomposition-based algorithmic procedure for its solution and is illustrated with a process synthesis/planning example problem.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This paper commences by outlining notions of creativity before examining the role of emergence in creative design, and presents various process models of emergence based on notions of additive and substitutive variables resulting in additive and substitution schemas.
Abstract: This paper commences by outlining notions of creativity before examining the role of emergence in creative design. Various process models of emergence are presented; these are based on notions of additive and substitutive variables resulting in additive and substitutive schemas. Frameworks for both representation and process for a computational model of creative design are presented. The representational framework is based on design prototypes whilst the process framework is based on an evolutionary model. The computational model brings both representation and process together.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: The Matrix of Change as discussed by the authors is a change process reengineering tool that helps managers identify critical interactions among processes and deal with issues such as how quickly change should proceed, the order in which changes should take place, whether to start at a new site, and whether the proposed systems are stable and coherent.
Abstract: Business process reengineering efforts suffer from low success rates, due in part to a lack of tools for managing the change process. The Matrix of Change can help managers identify critical interactions among processes. In particular, this tool helps managers deal with issues such as how quickly change should proceed, the order in which changes should take place, whether to start at a new site, and whether the proposed systems are stable and coherent. When applied at a medical products manufacturer, the Matrix of Change provided unique and useful guidelines for change management.
TL;DR: The authors provide an overview of recent efforts at modeling mechanical aspects of MA and their computational implementations are qualitatively accurate, but since modeling complex processes like MA is a "hazardous" venture, the most that can be reasonably hoped for from such efforts is identification of trends imparted by changes in material and process variables, and order-of-magnitude estimates of alloying kinetics, powder size, morphology, microstructural scale and properties.
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: This paper shows that object-oriented system development methods can be applied to the field of business process modelling, but that certain steps are needed in advance.
Abstract: Faced with the intensive business process reengineering activities in many companies, it is not surprising that the issue of process modelling has become a central concern. This paper shows that object-oriented system development methods can be applied to the field of business process modelling, but that certain steps are needed in advance. For example, it is necessary to compose a goal-means hierarchy, to establish necessary activities and roles, and to determine the input and output for each activity. In this paper, we examine step by step how business processes can be modelled, which data are needed for each step and which result would be produced during each step.
Patent•
24 Sep 1996TL;DR: A semiconductor structure design and process visualization tool as discussed by the authors allows a user to add, edit or delete process steps (16a-f) to create a process flow in process flow window (12).
Abstract: A semiconductor structure design and process visualization tool (10). A main menu (30) allows a user to add, edit or delete process steps (16a-f) to create a process flow in process flow window (12). Main menu (30) provides a set of process models to be selected from. The set of process models are simple first-order geometric models that require only physical parameters of a resulting device layer. Specific process conditions are not required. Semiconductor process and wafer representation tool applies the physical parameters to the corresponding process model to quickly create a cross-section (20) in cross-section window (22) corresponding to a selected process step (16d) in process flow window (12).
TL;DR: In this paper, a transaction cost analysis of the internal business processes of firms is presented, where the overall costs of an organization are determined by losses due to imperfect motivation of process members, which flows from the incentive structure and imperfect information and coordination, which flow from the architecture, together with the resource costs associated with incentives and architecture.
Abstract: This chapter presents a transaction cost analysis of the internal business processes of firms. Business processes are collections of activities which are technologically or managerially linked so that they jointly affect value added. Their organisation is characterised by their ‘architecture’ - the allocation of responsibilities amongst individuals and groups and communication between them for information and coordination - and their incentive structure. The overall costs of organisation are determined by losses due to imperfect motivation of process members, which flows from the incentive structure, and imperfect information and coordination, which flow from the architecture, together with the resource costs associated with incentives and architecture. Perfect motivation corresponds to ‘team behaviour’ and a quantitative model, based on team theory, indicates how the best architecture depends on the degree interaction between activities comprising the business process.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a service process simulation model that identifies where and when process reengineering efforts should occur and analyzed the quantitative impact of changes in key process parameters, such as the error rate and staffing level of the service center.
Abstract: Motivated by technological innovation and increasingly competitive markets, U S WEST Communications has been reengineering its core service processes to improve customer loyalty, cost effectiveness, and efficiency of services. The operations research modeling group at U S WEST Advanced Technologies has developed a service process simulation model that identifies where and when process reengineering efforts should occur. In a successful implementation, we analyzed the quantitative impact of changes in key process parameters, such as the error rate and staffing level of the service center, in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. U S WEST is deploying an outgrowth of this process modeling to support process reengineering in other major metropolitan areas in its 14-state region.
15 Apr 1996
TL;DR: The paper presents the meta method, illustrates its use for the construction of requirements engineering centred methods and gives details of some method chunks necessary to support this construction.
Abstract: The need for process models which are easy to construct, adapt and change is acknowledged by both the information system community and the software engineering community. Our contribution to this problem is the definition of a systematic way by which fragments of process models can be generated by reusing method knowledge acquired in previous projects. We propose a method for generating methods i.e. a meta method. The meta method uses method construction patterns that are named method chunks. The paper presents the meta method, illustrates its use for the construction of requirements engineering centred methods and gives details of some method chunks necessary to support this construction.
TL;DR: A prototype package for the automatic generation of a mathematical model, describing the dynamic behavior of a process system, from a purely physical description, has been described.
TL;DR: An industrial batch process development example is presented to demonstrate both the scope of the problem and the benefits that can be achieved from the application of process modeling technology.
28 Jul 1996
TL;DR: A tool for automatic generation of structured models for complex dynamic processes by means of genetic programming based on a block oriented approach with a transparent description of signal paths is discussed.
Abstract: The article at hand discusses a tool for automatic generation of structured models for complex dynamic processes by means of genetic programming. In contrast to other techniques which use genetic programming to find an appropriate arithmetic expression in order to describe the input-output behaviour of a process, this tool is based on a block oriented approach with a transparent description of signal paths. A short survey on other techniques for computer based system identification is given and the basic concept of SMOG (Structured MOdel Generator) is described. Furthermore latest extensions of the system are presented in detail, including automatically defined sub-models and qualitative fitness criteria.
01 May 1996
TL;DR: A framework approach to evolving large software systems based on an integration of product and process modelling is described, represented as a Product Tower, a hierarchy of components which provides views of the product at multiple levels of refinement.
Abstract: Large software systems have a large number of components and are developed over a long time period frequently by a large number of people. We describe a framework approach to evolving such systems based on an integration of product and process modelling. The evolving system is represented as a Product Tower, a hierarchy of components which provides views of the product at multiple levels of refinement. The evolution process is component based with the cooperation between components being mediated by the Product Tower. This ensures that the evolution process is scaleable and that it maintains, and evolves, the design model. We illustrate our approach with an example, outlining an evolution both of the product and of the process. The reflexive facilities of the process are shown to be key in ensuring the framework's ability to evolve.
01 Apr 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, a grid generation tool, GEOMESH, is developed for finite element grid generation that maintains the geometric integrity of geologic structure and stratigraphy for computational flow and transport models.
Abstract: The construction of grids that accurately reflect geologic structure and stratigraphy for computational flow and transport models poses a formidable task. Even with a complete understanding of stratigraphy, material properties, boundary and initial conditions, the task of incorporating data into a numerical model can be difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, most tools available for representing complex geologic surfaces and volumes are not designed for producing optimal grids for flow and transport computation. We have developed a modeling tool, GEOMESH, for automating finite element grid generation that maintains the geometric integrity of geologic structure and stratigraphy. The method produces an optimal (Delaunay) tetrahedral grid that can be used for flow and transport computations. The process of developing a flow and transport model can be divided into three parts: (1) Developing accurate conceptual models inclusive of geologic interpretation, material characterization and construction of a stratigraphic and hydrostratigraphic framework model, (2) Building and initializing computational frameworks; grid generation, boundary and initial conditions, (3) Computational physics models of flow and transport. Process (1) and (3) have received considerable attention whereas (2) has not. This work concentrates on grid generation and its connections to geologic characterization and process modeling. Applications of GEOMESH illustrate grid generation for two dimensional cross sections, three dimensional regional models, and adaptive grid refinement in three dimensions. Examples of grid representation of wells and tunnels with GEOMESH can be found in Cherry et al. The resulting grid can be utilized by unstructured finite element or integrated finite difference models.
08 Nov 1996
TL;DR: It is argued that modelling problems can be much more difficult to overcome when more than one business is involved, mainly due to the multiplicity of decision making levels involved and the subsequent need for multi-level output analysis.
Abstract: Business process modelling (BPM) is an increasingly emerging field of simulation application. Although it has been practically demonstrated that simulation can be an effective tool for business redesign, there does not exist a comprehensive framework to explain the characteristics of business processes and identify specific requirements for their modelling. Furthermore, hardly any attention has been paid to the modelling of inter-organisational business systems. In this paper, we examine the nature of business processes in the light of modern change management approaches and propose a set of requirements for their modelling. We then concentrate on inter-organisational processes and argue that modelling problems can be much more difficult to overcome when more than one business is involved, mainly due to the multiplicity of decision making levels involved and the subsequent need for multi-level output analysis. Based on an empirical study, we illustrate the practical problems of modelling inter-organisational business systems and suggest desirable characteristics of simulation packages for that purpose.