METHOD FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF A PRODUCT OR PROCESS

摘要

A method for computer-aided design. The method includes the steps (1004-1014) of representing a computer-aided design activity as a design cycle (1000) and defining a goal of the design activity. The method also includes the steps of defining alternate design steps (1024-1028) toward achieving the goal. According to one embodiment, the design activity is represented as a graph (1002) containing the alternate design steps (1024-1028). According to this embodiment, a cost metric is assigned for each of the alternate design steps (1022) that includes elements representing relative costs of taking each of a plurality of paths in the graph. Element values and bounds on the cost metric are determined by searching the graph (1002) to project costs incurred upon execution of each of the alternate design steps (1024-1028) to achieve the goal. The cost of achieving the goal is then optimized by selecting one of the alternate design steps (1024-1028) associated with the smallest cost metric.