AL-TR-1995-XXXX INFORMATION INTEGRATION FOR CONCURRENT ENGINEERING (IICE) IDEF3 PROCESS DESCRIPTION CAPTURE METHOD REPORT Richard J. Mayer, Ph.D. Christopher P. Menzel, Ph.D. Michael K. Painter Paula S. deWitte, Ph.D. Thomas Blinn Benjamin Perakath, Ph.D. KNOWLEDGE BASED SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED ONE KBSI PLACE 1500 UNIVERSITY DRIVE EAST COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840-2335 HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE LOGISTICS RESEARCH DIVISION SEPTEMBER 1995 INTERIM TECHNICAL REPORT FOR PERIOD APRIL 1992 - SEPTEMBER 1995 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. September 1995 Interim - February 1991 to September 1995 IDEF3 Process Description Capture Method Report Richard J. Mayer, Ph.D. Michael K. Painter Christopher P. Menzel, Ph.D. Benjamin Perakath, Ph.D Paula S. deWitte, Ph.D. Thomas Blinn Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. One KBSI Place, 1500 University Drive East College Station, TX 77845 KBSI-IICE-90-STR-01-0592-02 Armstrong Laboratory Human Resources Directorate Logistics Research Division Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 AL-TR-1995-XXXX Approved for Public Release; distribution is unlimited A This document provides a method overview, practice and use description, and language reference for the Integration Definition (IDEF) method for Process Description Capture (IDEF3). IDEF3 is designed to help document and analyze the processes of an existing or proposed system. Proven guidelines and a language for information capture help users capture and organize process information for multiple downstream uses. IDEF3 supports both process-centered and object-centered knowledge acquisition strategies enabling users to capture assertions about real-world processes and events in ways paralleling common forms of human expression. IDEF3 includes the ability to capture and structure descriptions of how a system works from multiple viewpoints. As an integral member of the IDEF family of methods, IDEF3 works well in independent application or in concert with other IDEF methods to document, analyze, and improve the vital processes of a business. process, IDEF, method, methodology, modeling, knowledge acquisition, requirements definition, information systems, information engineering, systems engineering, integration, reengineering Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified UL C F33615-90-C-0012 PE 63106F PR 2940 TA 01 WU08 140 i TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS......................................................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... v PREFACE.............................................................................................................................................. ix FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................... x METHOD ANATOMY ................................................................................................................................. x FAMILY OF METHODS .............................................................................................................................xii INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 1 MOTIVATION............................................................................................................................................. 1 Enhance the Productivity of Business Systems Analysis ..................................................................... 2 Facilitate Design Data Life-Cycle Management................................................................................. 2 Support the Project Management Process..........................................................................................2 Facilitate the System Requirements Definition Process...................................................................... 2 Support Coordinated Activity and Integration of Effort ..................................................................... 3 DESIGN FEATURES OF IDEF3 ................................................................................................................... 3 APPLICABILITY.......................................................................................................................................... 7 BENEFITS .................................................................................................................................................. 8 DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION.................................................................................................................... 10 SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. 11 IDEF3 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 11 SCENARIOS: THE ORGANIZING STRUCTURE FOR IDEF3 PROCESS DESCRIPTIONS ................................. 11 PROCESS-CENTERED VIEWS: THE PROCESS SCHEMATICS ..................................................................... 13 OBJECT-CENTERED VIEWS: THE OBJECT SCHEMATICS ......................................................................... 17 IDEF3 PROCESS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE ............................................................................ 22 BASIC ELEMENTS OF IDEF3 PROCESS DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................ 22 PROCESS SCHEMATICS............................................................................................................................ 24 Units of Behavior .............................................................................................................................. 24 Links.................................................................................................................................................. 25 Junctions ........................................................................................................................................... 31 UOB Decompositions........................................................................................................................ 43 UOB Reference Numbering Scheme ................................................................................................. 45 Partial Descriptions.......................................................................................................................... 47 Referents ........................................................................................................................................... 48 OBJECT SCHEMATICS.............................................................................................................................. 52 Objects and Object States ................................................................................................................. 52 Transition Schematics....................................................................................................................... 53 Conditions......................................................................................................................................... 55 Using Referents in IDEF3 Object Schematics .................................................................................. 57 Transition Junctions.......................................................................................................................... 66 Hiding Object State Information....................................................................................................... 70 Enhanced Transition Schematics ...................................................................................................... 72 ELABORATIONS....................................................................................................................................... 89 Some Examples of the Elaboration Language .................................................................................. 90 NOTES .................................................................................................................................................... 93 iii REPRESENTING STOCHASTIC PROCESSES................................................................................................ 95 DEVELOPING IDEF3 DESCRIPTIONS.......................................................................................... 96 THE IDEF3 DESCRIPTION EVOLUTION CYCLE........................................................................................ 97 IDEF3 DESCRIPTION CAPTURE ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................ 98 Define the Project ............................................................................................................................. 98 Define the Purpose............................................................................................................................ 99 Establish the Context ...................................................................................................................... 100 ORGANIZE FOR DATA COLLECTION....................................................................................................... 100 COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA............................................................................................................