Process Modelling From Reflective Practice for Engineering Quality

Reflective practice, as previously introduced (Schon, 1983; Dias, Blockley, 1995), is used to begin the development of a language for the modelling of processes be they physical, human or organisational. The aim is to improve the quality of both products and processes in the short term for immediate application with ‘passive’ data and in the longer term for process enactment in inter/intranet systems with ‘active’ data. One simple advantage will be improved handling of problems with often occur at the interface between difficult technical problems and human and organisational issues. The hypothesis presented is that everything is an holistic process. The theory is based on the reflective practice loop. Attributes of process models are presented and an algorithm is given for determining them. Some suggestions for generic organisational processes are presented. The models can be used with standard project management tools if deemed necessary. The potential benefits from adopting these ideas are improved clarity of roles, clearer definitions of success, improved safety and avoidance of complex ‘incubating’ hazards and savings of time and money. The methods are currently being tested on a number of practical projects which will be reported in future papers.