Project Memory Capture in Globally Distributed Facility Design

Computer-based design in a globally distributed multi-disciplinary project environment remains a difficult problem. This paper describes experimentation with ProMem (Project Memory), a prototype for design evolution capture, visualization, and reuse in support of multi-disciplinary collaborative teamwork. We hypothesize that one of the key factors in reducing life-cycle cost is improved communication, coordination, and cooperation among team members. ProMem accommodates and integrates multiple perspectives within an Architecture/ Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) enterprise. The modeling methodology, search and reuse capabilities, and potential design metrics will be demonstrated with a product knowledge model captured by an A/E/C team. ProMem is distinguished from the state-of-the-art file-based document management systems and proposes a model-based and content-based approach for design evolution capture, visualization, and reuse. In t roduct ion For large manufacturing enterprises, international facilities development and construction are old concepts. What is new, however, is the scope of information and speed at which it can be transferred with modem computing technology. Computer-based design and analysis tools continue to rapidly increase in capability and complexity. New approaches to communication such as video conferencing, digital file sharing and email have enticed corporations to explore the potential benefits of global design. This approach, in combination with multidisciplinary teamwork and concurrent engineering practices bring a new level of challenge. Participants will frequently interact with the decisions and work produced by individuals who are not immediately accessible or are no longer active project members. The coordination of the team members becomes non-trivial and is a potential source of costly, time-consuming, breakdowns. The difficulties center on the capture, sharing and reuse of design knowledge, information, intents, decisions, and rationale. Over the last decade, academia and industry have explored the use of computing technology to address these problems. Related work can be found in the research areas of design rationale capture, design history archival and distributed collaborative design. Highly structured approaches to design knowledge capture include models based on issues and argumentation [Kunz et al. 1970] and on the device itself [Bandin et al. 1993]. The resulting knowledge bases are well organized and searchable but require significant modeling investment by the designer. Other approaches apply document indexing techniques [Yang et al. 1998] [Wood et al. 1996] or natural language processing i Ph.D. Candidate, Center for Design Research, Stanford University, kreiner@cdr.stanford.edu 2 Director of Project Based Learning Laboratory and Sr. Res. Assoc., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, fruchter@ce.stanford.edu