Evaluation of the current state in a design schedule

摘要

Whilst the events and results of the design process are to some extent uncertain, planning and scheduling can be used to control and improve its performance. However, such plans and schedules should be flexible. For example, if unexpected events arise, schedules will need to be modified. These changes are ideally local. However, they may need to be more radical, involving modifications to the general design approach. This paper proposes a way of measuring the appropriateness and reliability of a design plan, based on the current state of the project. The decision to re-plan can thus be supported and the cost and disruption caused by changing plans controlled. The measures proposed are based on estimating the duration of the design process given the initial state, and are intended to monitor the need of change, and to prompt it, in semi-automated planning systems. They are appropriate for computational planning models based on time estimation that allow a state representation.