Process modelling the design of complex products in global enterprises

The majority of total product cost, although realised through production, i s committed during design. Manufacturing constraints must be applied during the design activity but this becomes especially difficult to accomplish wh en much of the component manufacture and sub-assembly work is completed in an international supply chain. This paper describes how business process mo delling techniques were applied to identify the problems inherent in design ing a major aerospace structure for ease of manufacture in such a global su pply chain. The results of the investigation and the utility of business pr ocess modelling approaches will be discussed.