Petri Nets for Systems Concurrent Engineering

Abstract

The paper proposes a generic model to represent the workflow based on Petri Nets theory of the activities used in the Systems Concurrent Engineering process and to use Petri Nets to support decision making when architecting a complex system. Systems Concurrent Engineering is a method that integrates systems engineering and concurrent engineering in the same integrated product development framework. The framework is applicable to the development of complex products. The properties of the Petri Nets allow the design of the generic model through formal language, semantic formalism and techniques to supporting analysis of process and architecture performance through graphical and algebric tools. Currently to maintain the competitiveness the main productive segments must seek to apply methods to innovate and develop their complex products and services with lower costs, improved productivity and quality, and in less time. Addressing the needs of productive segments, the paper presents a generic model to support and encourage the development of complex products and services. The main benefit of the generic model is that despite the actual various ways of implementing a system and of performing the systems concurrent engineering process, Petri Nets would allow to assess the process and architecture alternatives at very early stages of a complex product development process, based only on the process and product Petri Net models.