Process Optimization Based on Knowledge Flow in Engineering Change

In order to improve the efficiency of engineering change (EC) processes, the mechanism of knowledge flow in EC process is described via analyzing knowledge transformation and transmission between knowledge carriers. Given the parallel and discrete feature of EC activities and the tacit/explicit status variation of intellectual content, a modeling approach based on improved Petri net is proposed for the knowledge flow in EC process. The four kinds of knowledge activity unit (KAU) are used to depict the tacit/explicit status change in knowledge transmission process. A knowledge-flow-oriented Petri net (KF-OPN) model is established subsequently. Based on the KF-OPN model the knowledge transfer path searching algorithm is proposed, and the EC process optimization framework is constructed. A case of EC process in an aircraft manufacture enterprise was studied to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.