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    Using Knowledge Rich Plan Representations for Process Management Using Knowledge Rich Plan Representations for Process Management

    O-Plan2 has a three level modelling approach (What is being done is to augment earlier methods and approaches, rather than starting afresh and replacing or reinventing what has already been achieved.) that relates a high level of executive strategic decision making, analysis and direction with middle level tactical planning and scheduling capabilities and on to effective lower level operations management within an organisation.

    Our approach is to offer an overall vision of an Executive Communication and Control environment in which an enriched corporate model (knowledge and data bases) is utilised to offer an "add-on'' to existing tools used in companies such as those for option analysis, risk analysis, business case analysis, project management, workflow management, etc. In this framework, we are seeking to improve the types of process models that can be captured and to enrich these models in ways that may be done informally in today's requirements capture and modelling tools. The enriched representations allow for improved analyses and open the way to a new generation of tools for business process management that will provide enhanced aids to:

    • reliably capture and maintain process knowledge and models
    • make decisions using knowledge based simulation and analysis
    • synthesise processes
    • re-engineer parts of a process
    • reliably execute processes
    • simulate, animate, explain and justify processes

    Our approach uses open and inspectable knowledge based representations of processes, tasks, plans and schedules in which dependencies, constraints and preferences are maintained. Our work in process management draws on experience with Nonlin [7], O-Plan, O-Plan2, PLANIT and OPTIMUM-AIV as follows:

    • the use of a 3-level view (at strategic, tactical and operational levels) with task assignment, planning and control roles (O-Plan2).

    • knowledge rich plan representations summarised in the triangle model of activity (Nonlin, O-Plan and O-Plan2).

    • process and plan impact assessment/critiquing (Nonlin, PLANIT).

    • constrained plan editing and single step plan modification option review (O-Plan and PLANIT).

    • plan generation technology (O-Plan).

    • plan question answering, state generation, simulation and animation (Nonlin and O-Plan2).

    With enriched process representations and using knowledge based approaches, it is possible to go beyond what if? option analysis and to generate how to? option proposals. Higher level component processes can be selected, combined and tailored to specific requirements. Intentions and dependencies captured in process models allow for the enhancement of the capabilities which can be provided to the executive and operational staff.