Redesign support framework for complex technical processes

An approach to manage the complexity involved in the redesign of technical processes is proposed. This approach uses hierarchical models (functions and goals) of the process to be redesigned together with a CBR engine that helps to decide the elements of the process that should be modified. The framework consists of four main stages: design-description acquisition, identification of candidates, generation of alternatives, and adaptation and evaluation. This approach has been tested in the chemical engineering domain.