Resource and activity simulation in a knowledge-based planning system

Using a knowledge-based system capable of generating an activity sequence for the manufacture of a well-defined product, the authors have been concerned with generating `plans´ as opposed to simple activity sequences, improving the quality of project plans generated and applying the techniques more widely within the planning domain. This has been realized by extending the knowledge models to capture more, relevant knowledge, refining the knowledge representation techniques to increase expressivity while retaining their simplicity and simulating the execution of plans to identify potential problems, risks, triggers and generate evasions and contingencies