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The IDEF techniques have been developed in projects sponsored by the US Air Force in order to describe, specify and model manufacturing systems in a structured graphical form. These techniques can be classified in two categories: the “modelling” and the “descriptive” varieties. Compares two IDEF methods (one of the modelling type and one of the descriptive type) in order to represent (model or describe) two different aspects of an industrial organization. The methods compared are IDEF0, function modelling method, and IDEF3, process flow description capture method. Concludes that when considering the sequencing of the activities in process, aiming at highlighting their eventual simultaneity, then IDEF3 is more suitable, for its capability of splitting the flow of control from a single stream into several branches or joining several branches into a single stream. However, when it is necessary to direct attention on the objects which participate in the process, whether control, input, output or mechanism, then the use of IDEF0 is preferable.

The purpose of this research is to develop a building information modelling (BIM)-enabled sustainable design process model that identifies critical decisions actions in the design process along with the information and level of detail that facilitate an informed and timely decision. Building performance analysis is usually performed after the design and construction documents are produced, resulting in lost opportunities.

A number of research methods have been adopted; these include extensive literature review and 11 in-depth exploratory interviews with industry practitioners (sustainable building design experts, early BIM adopters).

Project delivery methods have a significant effect on the sustainable outcome of buildings. The development of a structured process can assist sustainable design practice among building professionals. Learning from implemented projects, that have utilised BIM processes, facilitates the scope of creating this process and advises future projects to prevent failures. Process mapping is essential to streamline the process, support key project processes and help the design team manage their own responsibilities and deliverables required by them.

The identification of the gap and the need for a structured process for sustainable building design for BIM execution is discussed. The synergies that exist between BIM, building performance modelling, Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method assessment and the Royal Institute of British Architects Plan of Work are shown. The effect that project delivery has on sustainable design outcome has been established. A coordinated collaborative design process model is presented based on the findings from interviewing early adopters.

Process models are a valuable tool in the design and configuration of enterprises. However, current modeling techniques have shortcomings that prevent them from fully supporting the analysis required to design an enterprise. This is especially true when considering the needs of modeling highly distributed and temporary multi‐company enterprises such as fractal or virtual enterprises. This paper presents a modeling scheme that supports a process‐centered approach to the analysis and design of both conventional and extended enterprises. Using a holon‐based approach to model the components of an enterprise, it allows for the development of integrated business rule, activity, resource, business process, and organizational views of the enterprise using the IDEF suite of modeling methods. The scheme is built around a central IDEF5 model of the enterprise from which the other views are extracted. The paper also describes the technique for developing an enterprise model using the scheme.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and improve two popular business process modelling languages (BPMLs) the Integration definition for function modelling (IDEF0) and event‐driven process chain (eEPC).

The paper aims to select, compare and evaluate against a proposed criteria framework two popular BPMLs. In order to meet end‐user requirements, it suggests concrete improvements for either language. Evaluation findings and improvement attempts are documented over a case study within the context of a large European aerospace industry. The languages are applied through the use of appropriate software such as BPWin and Arena Simulation Software for IDEF0 and Architecture of Integrated Information Systems (ARIS) Toolset for eEPC.

Improved languages seem to overcome several deficiencies and increase their modelling performance. Improvements in IDEF0 include: classification of component information and insertion of logical operators. In this approach the language describes not only the information flow within the process, but also the time sequences via component discrimination. Improvements in eEPC include event chain diagram in ARIS house of business engineering methodology, which represents the interrelations between functions of different diagrams and the linkages among components and resources to include resources planning.

Results showed that language deficiencies were clarified. Thus, the improvements made, constitute better modelling performance and the development of more reliable models.

The paper outlines a systematic evaluation framework with concrete criteria. Furthermore, the improvements made, are a further step towards increased modelling performance, lean and comprehend diagrams.

Notes that, in order to remain competitive, manufacturing industries seek to eliminate inefficiency and speed innovation, perhaps by joining together traditionally distinct functions (the internal “micro companies”) in order to build up an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project. This process of integrating, and then possible automating, business processes has resulted in a need for improved business process modelling techniques and tools. This article explains the importance of first establishing clear guidelines for, and parameters of, any improvement exercise in the organisation. This may involve the creation of a model that accurately describes the existing business processes, exposing the opportunities for improvement. Based on a real‐world model, developed at Xerox of Brazil (Resende Plant), demonstrates the difficulties and the gains throughout the modelling process. Concludes that modelling can assist understanding and engagement within the company as part of a change programme.

Business process re‐engineering and total quality management both emphasise the benefits that a process orientated view of company operations can bring. Acquiring a clear definition of the “as‐is” business process and developing an understanding about how the process may be re‐engineered is a crucial stage in any business process reengineering project. This early phase normally has three objectives: to achieve a full understanding of the process to be re‐engineered so as to clarify its objectives and characteristics; to create a shared vision and understanding among the re‐engineering team; and to have a basis for starting the redesign. To support this phase, there is a range of tools : manual, computer supported and computer enabled which are traditionally used to help in the activities of process definition and analysis. This paper describes some of the newer approaches. The product introduction process is examined in a general sense, and specific examples from the automotive industry are taken as a basis for evaluation of the available tools and applications. A sample from the process analysis tools identified was used to model the production introduction process, and from the difficulties and successes an understanding of the attributes required in such an analysis tool was derived.

This paper aims to provide a review of techniques that support risk management in product development projects using the concurrent engineering (CE) philosophy.

The Australia/New Zealand risk management standard AS/NZS 4360:1999 proposes a generic framework for risk management. This standard was adapted for product development projects in the CE environment. In this paper, existing techniques were reviewed for their applicability to processes in risk management; namely, techniques for establishing context, risk identification, risk assessment and treatment.

Risk management is an activity within project management that is gaining importance due to current business environment with a global focus and competition. The techniques reviewed in this paper are used on an ad hoc basis currently. A more risk focused approach is likely to result in an integration of several of these techniques, resulting in an increased effectiveness of project management.

The techniques reviewed in this paper can be used for the development of risk management tools for engineering and product development projects.

This paper provides a gist of techniques categorized in the form that they are applicable for implementation of risk management functions in product development projects using CE philosophy.

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the business processes of a bank by considering a graphical and a descriptive view in order to find critical processes and to improve them.

A methodology with which the business processes are modeled based on the flow diagram (FD) and integrated definitions (IDEF0) techniques.

Detects the descriptive and graphical view of the main critical business processes of a bank. Allows to propose correct and effective improvements to them and considers different views and degrees of detail.

This study considers a static view of the processes. A future line of research includes the simulation of the critical business processes of the bank detected with the modeling techniques herein proposed.

The business process modeling techniques apply to one subsidiary of a bank company, and can thus be extended to all subsidiaries to compare their performance and to apply the improvements by considering global objectives.

This paper proposes a structured modeling to capture the critical business processes of a bank through well‐known techniques, such as the FDs and IDEF0, and helps compare and detect these relevant aspects for the bank.

The healthcare industry is facing several challenges such as the reduction of costs and quality improvement of the provided services. Engineering studies could be very useful in supporting organizational and management processes. Healthcare service efficiency depends on a strong collaboration between clinical and engineering experts, especially when it comes to analyzing the system and its constraints in detail and subsequently, when it comes to deciding on the reengineering of some key activities. The purpose of this paper is to propose a case study showing how a mix of representation tools allow a Manager of a Radiology Department to solve some human and technological resource re‐organizational issues, which have to be faced due to the introduction of a new technology and a new portfolio of services.

In order to simulate the activities within the radiology department and examine the relationship between human and technological resources, different visual diagrammatic language (VDL) techniques have been implemented to get knowledge about the heterogeneous factors related to the healthcare service delivery. In particular, flow charts, IDEF0 diagrams and Petri nets have been integrated each other with success as a modelisation tools.

The simulation study performed through the application of the aforementioned VDL techniques suggests the opportunity of re‐organizing the nurse activities within the radiology department.

The re‐organization of a healthcare service and in particular of a radiology department by means of joint flow charts, IDEF0 diagrams and Petri nets is a poorly investigated topic in literature. This paper demonstrates how flow charts and IDEF0 can help people working within the department to understand the weak points of their organization and constitute an efficient base of knowledge for the implementation of a Petri net aimed at improving the departmental performance.

The increasing reliance of organisations on information systems connected to or extending over open data networks has established information security as a critical success factor for modern organisations. Risk analysis appears to be the predominant methodology for the introduction of security in information systems (IS). However, risk analysis is based on a very simple model of IS as consisting of assets, mainly data, hardware and software, which are vulnerable to various threats. Thus, risk analysis cannot provide for an understanding of the organisational environment in which IS operate. We believe that a comprehensive methodology for information systems security analysis and design (IS‐SAD) should incorporate both risk analysis and organisational analysis, based on business process modelling (BPM) techniques. This paper examines the possible contribution of BPM techniques to IS‐SAD and identifies the conceptual and methodological requirements for a technique to be used in this context. Based on these requirements, several BPM techniques have been reviewed. The review reveals the need for either adapting and combining current techniques or developing new, specialised ones.