مدیریت جریان کار بر اساس مدیریت اطلاعات

In manufacturing processes, the role of the underlying information is of the utmost importance. Based on three different types of integration (function, information and control), as well as the theory of information management and the accompanying information structures, the entire product creation process can be formulated in terms of the information requirements of distinct processes. So-called task chains can establish the correlation between processes. Using formal representations of the information content (ontologies), a flexible resolution of process-steps is achieved. Based on this, an improved method for workflow management comes within reach.

During the last century, different types of manufacturing organisation structures have been implemented. From the start of intentional formalisation in industry, decentralisation and specialisation were considered to contribute to both the efticiency and the effectiveness of production activities. In many cases, this has indeed been true as, for example, the introduction of both fabrication and assembly lines offered higher profitability. The tendency to shape non-production processes (like design and engineering processes) in the same manner as the production processes and to impose the decentralisation and specialisation of labour on these processes as well led to increasing formalism in all departments of manufacturing industries. The resulting lack of interdepartmental co-operation often counteracts the increased performance in specific departments to such an extent, that the overall performance decreases. This calls for an approach in which the interaction between departments (either in terms of co-operation or integration) gains undivided attention, but without the denial of the specific quality and significance of separate departments and processes.

Control of design and engineering processes requires a system that is able to monitor the evolution of the information content. The ontological description used for this purpose -the ontology of transition- can govern the design and engineering processes, and support their execution with all the required information and resources. This allows for a new approach in workflow management. Traditionally, workflow management applications follow a process centred approach in which a process is modelled as a (predefined) set of processesltasks that need to be executed sequentially. In the proposed approach, it is recognised that the execution of a task causes an evolution in the information content, upon which the execution of dependent tasks can be advised. The execution of a task can also be triggered when its output is demanded and its input is available (information pull).