Data integration in practice is usually accomplished through a series of pre-established “processes” that individually capture each discipline’s expert knowledge. Conventional geoscience software applications are not designed as quantitative data integration platforms, rather, they are typically built as expert toolkits focused on specific tasks that are lacking in interconnectivity.

We use the term “workflow” to describe both the conceptual sequence of steps followed by domain experts to discover solutions to geoscience business challenges, as well the specific software interfaces that embody them. Software workflow concepts and design, in this sense, are effectively unknown in conventional mining geoscience software. We have learned from several generations of software workflow design development over many years in the upstream oil and gas industry, to bring these concepts to fruition in the mining and geotechnical industries.

Software workflows are applications designed to execute a sequence of modelling tasks via a dynamic user interface presented in the appropriate earth science terminology. The expert’s knowledge is captured in the form of a “process tree” in which each branch is defined by a series of dynamically linked decision panels. The user makes decisions that are based on context-relevant choices, triggering appropriate subroutines to transform the input data into the expected output. Workflows are easily customizable, allowing the embedding of specifications to a company’s best practices.

Several benefits are associated with the use of defined workflows. Capturing the expert thought process leads to technically sound, reliable, and repeatable results. Workflows also have a direct positive impact on employees’ learning curve and productivity. Productivity increase is achieved through streamlined work processes based on proven methodologies that focus on the science at hand instead of on software mechanics. The workflow concept may in itself contribute to the emergence of a new type of geoscientist, able to cross boundaries between different disciplines at an advanced level.

Download "Software Workflows for 3D Quantitative Data Integration" from Exploration 07

Download "Gocad Workflows for Expert-System Decision Making" from the 29th Gocad Research Meeting