1. A method of generating a process plan comprising: i) storing at least one generic process plan, ii) storing at least one non-generic process element containing a predetermined pattern, iii) searching said at least one generic process plan for the predetermined pattern contained by at least one non-generic process element, iv) on detection of the predetermined pattern, inserting content from said at least one non-generic process element into the generic process plan to generate a process plan, and v) outputting the generated process plan.