An adaptive wide-area design process manager for collaborative multichip module design

Multichip Module (MCM) design is a complex process that requires multiple tradeoffs and design iterations. It involves multiple core competencies that seldom reside in a single organization or geographical site. It typically requires multiple design tools that come from different vendors. Design process management in such an environment is key to infusing discipline as well as reducing design cycle time. This paper presents an innovative CORBA 2.0-compliant Internet/WWW-based wide-area design process management approach that is based on dynamically constructed "flows". At the heart of the design process manager is an object-oriented meta-model of the design process. This model captures and inter-relates all key design objects that are required to manage and improve the MCM design process. A key aspect of the design process manager is its multi-perspective visualization capability that allows both managers and designers to view the MCM design process from their respective perspectives.