Computer based system for imaging and analyzing a process system and indicating values of specific design changes

Abstract

A computer system for analyzing and automatically modifying existing process system models that includes (i) an Initial Data stage that prompts the user to enter qualitative and quantitative objectives in designing or re-designing a Process System, (ii) a Component Model stage that displays an image of the sequence of components produced or added during the process and that allows the user to edit or complete the Component Model display that includes components, which are produced during the process, operations that produce them, and functions, each consisting of an element or tool that causes an action and an element or tool that receives the action, (iii) a Process (Functional) Analysis stage that includes functional and interaction relationships of the functions and operations designating each function as harmful or useful, and ranking each useful function according to the value of its contribution to the respective operation, and performing a value link analysis of each function including the level of the function performance (insufficient, excessive), defining parameters and designating their values and their dependencies in time and space, and comparing between actual and required parameters, (iv) a trimming routine for eliminating or simplifying an operation in a process, while retaining or transferring its useful functions by calculating the values of and ranking the operations or functions to identify the best-to-least function candidate for elimination or transfer, and (v) a trimming routine that generates a recommended list, in priority, of problem, to be solved to achieve the function trimming.