Constraint-based Workflow Management for Life-Cycle Analysis and Design

The development of large scale engineering projects for spacecraft and mission components taking into account life-cycle design criteria requires the integration of the efforts of experts with various backgrounds, diverse tools, located at remote locations, and over time-intervals of months and years. At the core of this challenge lies the uncovering of constraints that lie far ahead in the life-cycle of the designed component. To address this challenge we propose the development of an environment for Constraint-based Workflow Management for Life-Cycle Analysis and Design through the integration of collaboration and workflow technologies with constraint management techniques. The proposed environment uses collaboration functionality to support the early elicitation, detection and updating of constraints that define the designed component throughout its life-cycle. The detection of life-cycle constraints is further aided by the connectivity between designers and design tools facilitated through the same collaboration environment. A constraint management engine notifies designers of occurring constraint violations, while at the same time applying the constraints to the workflow configuration, to continuously re-shape the flow of design activities. The cycle of constraint definition, management and application to the design workflow ensures design consistency and quality for first-of-a-kind design projects, where little previous design knowledge is available.