Given the continuous, complex nature of process chain evaluation and selection, a computer aided approach is most appropriate. To select a software tool for implementing the methodology, all functional and IT technical criteria were first described in a specification documentation. Afterwards, the documentation was used to enquire adequate software tools for the implementation of the methodology. A systematic software tool enquiry process was initialised. The identified software tool providers were provided with information about the developed methodology and some test data. With this information they were requested to elaborate methodology specific presentations. Within these presentations a broad range of production planners evaluated the functionalities of the different software tools and the approach to realise the methodology. For the evaluation process a detailed proceeding with evaluation sheets was elaborated, so that a qualitative assessment of the different solutions was possible. The result was the identification of the most adequate software tool.

The following diagram illustrates software requirements regarding the generation and recirculation of production process chains.