Toward a computational framework for concurrent engineering

Discusses the requirements, both in terms of architecture and mode of operation, of a computational system to support concurrent engineering. A prototype system called Next-Cut is used to illustrate how certain of these capabilities can be provided. In particular, the authors discuss how the architecture of Next-Cut facilitates the interactions of people and software modules. Examples of how designs can be represented at different levels of detail for concurrent engineering are provided. How the concurrent engineering environment affects the design of individual software modules is considered, using Next-Cut's process planner as an example.<>