Combining Workflow and PDM: Enhancing the Workflow Module of axalant™ based on the WfMC and STEP Standards Kamel ROUIBAH 1i , Samia Rouibah 1 & Wil van der AALST 2 1 Department of Quantitative methods & Information systems, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 5486 Safat, Code No 13055, Kuwait 2 Department of Technology Management, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands Keywords Product data management, workflow management system, process modeling, axalant™, ProView, WfMC, STEP Abstract Product Data Management (PDM) supports management of both data and the product development process during the total life cycle of the product. However, current technology has several pitfalls such as lack compliance of workflow modules to standards as well as lack interoperability between PDM systems. This paper illustrates the extension of the current workflow management system (WfMS) part of the PDM system axalant™ to support engineering processes management. The paper describes the interface improvements done specifically to comply the WfMS of axalant™ with the WfMC and STEP standards, and to exchange workflow data with existing WfMS on the market. In this paper the STEP and WfMC standards are analyzed, the required PDM workflow architecture is specified, and the resulting implementation is described. The necessary enhancements include the extension of the data model of axalant™, the modification of the corresponding software, the modification of the user interface, and the link to the interface between ProView and axalant™. ProView helps to generate graphical process definitions. Major achievements consist of the enhancement of process design through the creation of building block (split- and join-operations) as well as the enhancement of organizational structure through the usage of roles as a resource for process activities. Moreover, the paper adds flexibility for axalant TM to handle changes. As consequence, axalant™ is able to generate workflow templates and ad-hoc processes and to communicate with external WfMS. Paper describes this efforts and point out to perspectives. 1. INTRODUCTION Companies around the world are increasingly implementing Product Data Management (PDM) to improve their competitiveness. The PDM market is increasing and has experienced a growth of 62% and reached $2.86 billion in 2000, and the forecast will exceed $13 billions in 2005 (www.CIMdata.com). According to the definition of CIMdata PDM systems support management of both engineering data and the product development process during the total life cycle of the product. They allow seamless interoperability between different departments and throughout the supply chain during product design. Participation/collaboration is especially eased by the use of latest web-based technologies (Chu and Fan 1999, Liu and Xu 2001). PDM systems are particularly important for companies in the engineering area, concerned with responding quickly, integrating large volume of