Profiling PD processes by combining structural analysis and simulation

Abstract

This paper shows how two approaches to PD process analysis - structural metrics and simulation analysis - can be combined. Structural metrics can be used to provide a high level analysis of an existing network of tasks. Stochastic simulation can be used to obtain an overview of how tasks interact over time. Both approaches are applied to a process model that originates from the body-in-white design process of a premium class sedan as used in a major German automotive manufacturer. We demonstrate and contrast the analysis approaches, individually and in combination.