Experimental assessment of a process-workflow redesign agent

Today, a second generation of computer based reengineering tools employ knowledge systems technology to automate and support key, intellectual activities required for effective process-workflow redesign. But a central question remains as to the effectiveness of redesign through such knowledge systems. The research described in the paper is focused on testing the effectiveness of knowledge based, process-workflow redesign systems. We employ one such system called "KOPeR-lite" as a platform for experimentation to assess the relative efficacy of redesigns generated by computer versus those developed by people. In this sense, we conduct a modified Turing Test to compare redesign performance of reengineering analysts with that of the knowledge system. A number of important conclusions have implications for process-workflow redesign and practice, including issues associated with leading adoption of knowledge system technology and extension of redesign automation systems such as KOPeR-lite.