THE WEP MODEL: ADEQUATE WORKFLOW-MANAGEMENT FOR ENGINEERING PROCESSES

Reducing costs of engineering processes like the design
or change 0/ components is a key issue in the automotive engineering area. Like in other domains, the use of process-oriented workflow management systems (WfMS) is a promising approach to achieve this goal. However, there are addit.ional features required which todays WfMSs do not offer. These application specific requirements are outlined in more detail. Then a new Wt1vlS, the WEP model (WorkfiowManagement for Engineering frocesses), is introduced. The WEP model offers new concepts for modelling the features req1.1ired in this application domain and provides new interact.ion forms at runtime. These are the
int.egration of unstructured creative subprocesses, the release and cont.rol of preliminary data, and the support
of coordination phases.