Extending Multiple Domain Matrices to Allow for the Modeling of Boolean Operators in Process Models
Year: 2009
Editor: Norell Bergendahl, M.; Grimheden, M.; Leifer, L.; Skogstad, P.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Kreimeyer, Matthias; Braun, Stefanie; Gürtler, Matthias; Lindemann, Udo
Series: ICED
Section: Design Processes
Page(s): 1-12
Abstract
This paper suggests an approach to combine the analytical advantages of matrix-based notation with the modeling capabilities of graphical notation to model process flows including logic operators. Matrix-based notation is exemplified by Design Structure Matrices (DSM) and Multiple Domain Matrices (MDM), graphical notation by Event driven Process Chains (EPC), both being established standards in industry. DSM and MDM offer algorithmic methods for analyses, but so far without a means of modeling decision points (AND, OR, XOR). EPC allows easy modeling of process flows with parallel and alternative paths. However, it does not feature comprehensive analyses, making it difficult to systematically analyze a process model. In this research, MDM was therefore extended to include logical operators, thus combining the two approaches to transfer EPC and similar models into a matrix-based description and vice versa; this makes graphical model that use Boolean logic accessible to algorithmic analysis available in MDM. Generally spoken, the proposed modeling scheme opens up a way of generic modeling of logic operations in design matrices.
Keywords: Boolean operator, Design Structure Matrix (DSM), Multiple Domain Matrix (MDM), process model