Analysis of information flows to enhance the coordination of production processes

This paper proposes a methodology to describe the information flows involved in the coordination of production processes. To this end, a process is represented as a set of interdependent tasks accomplished by resources. To manage task interdependencies, resources make decisions and exchange messages according to their decision-making responsibilities. By the assessment of a process coordination load, namely the effort required for resources to address coordination problems, the methodology can help managers enhance the adopted coordination form or improve the performed process as well as support the selection of the coordination technologies that better satisfy the information requirements. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.