Integration of Optimization to the Design of Pulp and Paper Production Processes - Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Application - page 241

The following observations could be made about issues concerning the differences
between requirements for current IT systems and IT systems when using optimizing
design :
The IT-architecture of an engineering company is usually quite heterogeneous, i.e.
there are several different IT-systems used during a design project. Sometimes there
are even several alternative IT-systems for same design tasks, e.g. due to customer
requests. The heterogeneity of IT-systems may hinder the implementation of IT-
support optimizing design.
There is a slowly progressing shift from document-centered design paradigm to da-
ta-centered design paradigm in plant design. The optimizing process design process
should be made to fit the data model -oriented design paradigm because its meaning
seems to be increasing in the future. It is also likely to be more suitable basis for op-
timizing design than the older document-oriented design.
The amount of data which is transferred during the optimization process is mod-
erate but the iterations between the problem formulation, model building, optimiza-
tion and decision making may justify the usage of a proper tool for data exchange and
version management.

5 Conclusions

In this paper a business process model for optimizing design in continuous process
facility engineering has been presented. This model was considered from the view-
points of stakeholders, process, knowledge, data, models and tools. The model for
optimizing design was assessed by applying it in an experimental case study and by
interviewing experts.
Based on this study, some conclusions can be made. The greatest change is the new
roles of optimizer and modeler, which make the process more iterative between opti-
mizer and process designer. The new roles require a shared knowledge, because the
work can be described as expert co-operation. The business process in optimizing
design is more iterative than in traditional design because of the need for negotiation
in the problem formulation and the uncertainties in the modeling. The presentation of
results of the optimization should be considered more carefully. The amount of objec-
tive functions presented simultaneously may not be too large, but some priorization
should be made.
In addition to this, the interviews also illustrate the importance of validation of
process designs. Validation of the designs so that the customer will trust them is a
primary concern to be observed in future research.
It must be noted that the design business process in this paper is presented at a gen-
eral level and it must be specified when used as actual process. The description of
roles should take the organization boundaries and current responsibilities into ac-
count. E.g. the customer organization usually has a business oriented decision maker
and technical decision maker roles. The roles in engineering organization should cor-
respond to these roles. In future, the process model is evaluated and specified in a
larger case study.