A multi-agent architecture for distributed design

Due to current trends in the design field towards virtual teams that collaborate over computer networks to achieve global optima in design, there is an increasing need for design teams to establish and maintain a cooperative work through effective communication, co-location, coordination and collaboration at the knowledge level. As problems become more complex, teamwork is becoming increasingly important. This paper proposes a multi-agent architecture to support multi-disciplinary design teams that cooperate in a distributed design environment. Using ontologies and multi-agent systems, the proposed framework addresses resource allocation problems and aims to optimise design process operation and management.