Process Technology Appnote

• Model Driven Approach to Enterprise Integration - the process and data models developed were demonstrated on multiple benchmark programs.
• Configurable Work Processes present the right functionality (tools) and the right information to the right users - workflows implemented in the Design Methodology Manager control tool and data access on projects.
• Dynamic code generation for data access based on process model definition - DMM enhancements support runtime generation of execution scripts enabling flexible reuse of process models across projects.
• Integration of project management, workflow management, and information management concepts was developed to achieve a complete executable project definition.
• Concurrent project /process status access to the entire team was achieved through integration with project tools and email.
• Transparent configuration management for the design team was provided with Product Data Management (PDM).
• Templates for rapid deployment of the enterprise system for new organizations or projects within the same organization.
• Support for concurrent engineering - multiple special case process models were developed to support CE design styles
• Reusable encapsulations were developed for several leading ECAD tools.

RASSP design processes have been modeled in IDEF3 and IDEF3x. The to-be processes have been converted into DMM workflows to support design process automation. The information objects modeled in workflows represent place holders for instances of objects that will flow through the workflow. The workflows are hierarchical in nature - representing the various disciplines associated with electronic design. The workflows consist of reusable workflow segments, which can be combined in various configurations to address specific project needs. These segments consist of multiple process steps, each of which are also reusable. Thus, options available to a user organization are either to make use of the RASSP workflow templates in current form or to develop process plans based on a combination of reuse of RASSP workflow segments, individual process steps, and possible custom user steps.

In supporting concurrent engineering in the RASSP methodology, multiple special case workflow templates were developed and applied in domain specific workflows. These cases include:

• Mulitple concurrent tasks using parallel copies of the same dataset
• Multiple design alternatives developed concurrently with the same process
• Pipelining of datasets through a workflow
• Failback paths
• Multiple iterations in a workflow

To setup a new signal processor project, several process related activities occur (Figure 5 - 1). The project manager (PM) can make a copy of a previous project workflow and start tailoring it to the current project needs. The PM can add new workflow segments and modify existing ones based on the project requirements. Once the basic project plan is established, it is exported to a project planning software to schedule tasks and assign resources. The resulting workflows are updated with the business objects required for the project and appropriate objects are created in the PDM system. The workflows are now ready to be executed. The workflows provide appropriate configuration controlled information and tools to the users to perform a task. As the workflows are executed, appropriate project metrics are tracked and are also exported to project planning software. The workflows provide convenient mechanism for the entire project team to be aware of the project progress and status.

Several useful process related products have been developed on the RASSP program that will benefit a much broader community. These products are summarized as follows:

• RASSP Methodology Document that documents the TO-BE process models.
• RASSP Enterprise Data Model defining a standards based template for engineering information systems.
• Reusable workflow segments spanning the lifecycle, such as:
  System Requirements Analysis & Refinement, Functional Analysis, System Partitioning, Functional Design, Architecture Selection, Architecture Verification, Chassis Design, Backplane Design, etc.
• Enhancements for Intergraph's DMM Workflow Management Tool including integration with PDM tools, and project support functions
• Enhancements for Intergraph's AIM Product Data Management System for engineering project support.
• High Level Models for Configuration Management and Authorization Management which are implementable in multiple information systems hence can provide a baseline rule set for environments with heterogeneous information systems.
• Various Electronics CAD Tool encapsulations with the DMM workflow tool
• Neutral Language for Process Modeling (PML) based on the IDEF standards
• Process Model Repository (REMR) for management and reuse of PML / IDEF process models