PROCESS PLANNING FOR DISTRIBUTED MANUFACTURING AND REPAIR

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the performance of a process, especially where the process is performed at several different locations. In one embodiment, one or more experts produce a decision tree for use in determining a recommended sequence of steps for the process. A computer network, such as the World Wide Web, is used to convey a request to a computer that has access to the decision tree for a recommended sequence of steps. The request includes any information that is needed by the decision tree to determine the recommended sequence of steps. In response to the request, the computer uses the information in the request and the decision tree to produce the recommended sequence of steps. The recommended sequence of steps is then directed over the network to the user.