An intelligent agent for Web-based process redesign

Process redesign is an expensive, time consuming and labor-intensive activity. Analysis of the redesign process indicates the "first generation" computer-based tools are inadequate for redesign today. Knowledge-based systems and intelligent agents have the ability to address the key, intellectual activities required for effective process redesign. An intelligent redesign agent called KOPeR is developed and employed, in an "industrial strength" reengineering engagement, to redesign processes from the procurement domain. This paper describes the KOPeR design and implementation and highlights its use as a redesign agent in the field. The field results reveal insights into the use, utility and potential of this agent technology, and the paper closes with a number of promising future directions for related research.