Generic design flows for project management in a framework environment

Due to the increasing complexity of CAD systems, project managers, engineers and designers have to be supported in handling an increasing number and variety of highly specialized tools. Recent research activities follow the goal, to integrate these tools in a unified framework, which enables concurrent engineering based on a controlled execution of design activities within a common environment. Today, framework services are typically restricted to design data management and integration facilities. This paper addresses the often neglected, but very important problem of design flow management with special emphasis on project management strategies. In contrast to other approaches a generic procedure is proposed which is driven by the inherent interdependencies between project specification, design team and tools. This approach provides a flexible, adaptive and transparent design flow management system