Abstract: “XSteps” are modular data objects that model performance of various operations in a manufacturing process. Designers of manufacturing processes can build complex manufacturing systems from the modular XSteps and may enter parameter information that defines inputs to the corresponding XSteps. An XStep may include a parameter array defining different variables that determine behavior of the manufacturing operation represented by the XStep, a process instruction attribute that includes instructions to be delivered to automatic- or manually-driven manufacturing processes when the manufacturing operations are performed and an actuals attribute to capture manufacturing data as the manufacturing operations are performed. Thus, the present invention provides an integrated view into automatic, semi-automatic and manually-driven manufacturing processes.