Deriving Event Graphs through Process Mining for Runtime Change Management

Abstract

Engineering Changes (ECs) refer to any modifications in forms, fits, functions, materials, services and so on in product design, development and the subsequent manufacturing operations. In a broad sense, EC is an alteration made to parts, drawings or softwares that have already been released during the product design process. The change can be of any size or type. The change process can involve any number of people and can take any length of time (Jarratt, 2004). Business changes, organisational changes, schedule changes, order changes and so on are not directly related to product design and therefore are not usually considered as ECs. However, they may be consequences of ECs or they may become the dominating causes for ECs. In practice, any ECs occurring after the design which are approved and released are referred to as late changes. On the contrary, any ECs triggered before the design is approved and released are named early changes. Late ECs are much more costly and time-consuming to implement than early changes. The best approach in managing ECs is to avoid them as far as possible. However, ECs are often deemed indispensable in many real scenarios. Thus, it has become a research issue as to how ECs can be managed effectively and efficiently.