A Framework for Work Package Optimization

Impact Technologies, LLC proposes to further develop a framework for work package optimization. The proposed work is based on historical and current operational and maintenance data available in a number of disparate databases. Data mining techniques will be applied to operational data and depot level maintenance records obtained from these databases. These techniques will make it possible to forecast future maintenance needs and assess different variability in overhaul workflow. Workflow models will be used to implement an interface to allow interchangeability of such models and develop optimization capabilities that take into account all aspects of workflow problems. Using the data mining results, work package and workflow optimization in the face of limited resources, short timelines and increasing requirements will be implemented. Shop floor managers will be able to use the work package optimization tool with their own custom workflow models to investigate different “what-if” scenarios and work around contingencies as they arise. Specifically the core innovations of the proposed work include: 1) a data mining module for analyzing historical data; 1) an interface to “plug-n-play” proprietary workflow models; and 3) a work package optimization module that provides decision support for proactive maintenance planning, contingency management, and capacity planning. BENEFIT: This framework for work package optimization technology will help existing and future Air Force and DoD programs reach improved fleet readiness objectives and total ownership cost initiatives. The technology will play an important role in providing the war fighter with significant combat advantage by maximizing asset availability and reducing maintenance down-time. The software will take full advantage of the large amounts of maintenance data available in multiple disparate databases. It will also be able to benefit from and provide added value to High Velocity Maintenance (HVM) initiatives that are gaining traction at US Air Force Air logistics Centers (ALC) and widely used in the industry. The objectives will be achieved through the development of a framework for workflow and work package optimization leveraging data from multiple databases. The data will be mined for interesting patterns and trends which in-turn will provide inputs to workflow models and enable work package optimization. Because effective military operations hinge on the ability to quickly and accurately perform maintenance tasks, there exist numerous potential military applications for the proposed work package optimization tool in all branches of the U.S. DoD. The development effort will include an interface to “plug-n-play” workflow models instead of being restricted to one or a few specific ones thus allowing the user to drop in the appropriate model that represents their workflow of interest. Given the adaptable nature of the core analysis and optimization techniques proposed, the developed approach could easily be adapted for a variety of commercial applications. Such applications include: commercial airlines, land and marine propulsion systems, large utilities and independent power producers, oil and gas transmission companies, and processing industries.