Methodology of knowledge-based process modeling for concurrent product development

The main purpose of the study on knowledge-based process modeling for concurrent product development is to explore the theory and methods on multiagent architecture of PDPM, principle of knowledge-based process modeling, rule-based process implementation and so on, and to integrate the knowledge both into the process of process modeling and into the architecture of the PDPM in the lifecycle of the product development including mainly the acquisition and usage of design history and domain knowledge. Modeling the product development process is the first step of PDPM. This work provides an overview on PDPM and modeling methods. The architecture of multiagent based integrated process modeling is presented including the basic principle and knowledge-based framework of process modeling. The rule-based mechanism for process implementation is expatiated including the status of process, the status of flow and the rules of process implementation. The integrated supporting environment of knowledge-based process modeling is developed and used successfully during the process modeling of a type of railway rolling stock development in a Chinese enterprise.