METHOD FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF A PRODUCT OR PROCESS

A method for computer-aided design. The method includes the steps of representing a computer-aided design activity as a design cycle and defining a goal of the design activity. The method also includes the steps of defining alternate design steps toward achieving the goal. According to one embodiment, the design activity is represented as a graph containing the alternate design steps. According to this embodiment, a cost metric is assigned for each of the alternate design steps 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 the determined by searching the graph to project costs incurred upon execution of each of the alternate design steps to achieve the goal. The cost of achieving the goal is then optimized by selecting one of the alternate design steps associated with a smallest cost metric.