Toward a more flexible Web-based framework for multidisciplinary design

In today's competitive environment, both industry and government agencies a re under pressure to reduce the time and cost of multidisciplinary design p rojects. New tools have been introduced to assist in this process by facili tating the integration of and communication among diverse disciplinary code s. One such tool, a framework for multidisciplinary design, is defined as a hardware-software architecture that enables integration, execution, and co mmunication among diverse disciplinary processes. An examination of current frameworks reveals weaknesses in various areas, such as sequencing, monito ring, controlling, and displaying the design process. The objective of this research is to explore how Web technology can improve these areas of weakn ess and lead toward a more flexible framework. This article describes a Web -based system that optimizes and controls the execution sequence of design processes in addition to monitoring the project status and displaying the d esign results. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.