Metrics-based control in outsourced software development projects

Measurements have been recognised as vital instruments to improve control in outsourced software development projects. However, project managers are still struggling with the design and implementation of effective measurement programs. One reason for this is that although there is a large body of research literature on metrics, practical guidelines for choosing among concrete measurements are scarce. The authors address this gap between research and practice by synthesising knowledge from frameworks and guidelines presented in the software process improvement (SPI) literature. The contribution comprises a framework that provides a set of measurements (selected from the research literature) for control of software development in cooperative settings, and a set of principles and guidelines for the design of an information infrastructure that provides managers with control information. As implication for research, the authors identify the need to develop new theories of SPI through the lens of inter-organisational networks, and taking into account relevant practices from the world of open-source software development. Also lessons for managers of outsourced software development projects are discussed. The results have been validated via expert interviews and by a panel of experts

Six Sigma

In the new millennium the increasing expectation of customers and products complexity has forced companies to find new solutions and better alternatives to improve the quality of their products. Lean and Six Sigma methodology provides the best solutions to many problems and can be used as an accelerator in industry, business and even health care sectors. Due to its flexible nature, the Lean and Six Sigma methodology was rapidly adopted by many top and even small companies. This book provides the necessary guidance for selecting, performing and evaluating various procedures of Lean and Six Sigma. In the book you will find personal experiences in the field of Lean and Six Sigma projects in business, industry and health sectors

Space station automation of common module power management and distribution

The purpose is to automate a breadboard level Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) system which possesses many functional characteristics of a specified Space Station power system. The automation system was built upon 20 kHz ac source with redundancy of the power buses. There are two power distribution control units which furnish power to six load centers which in turn enable load circuits based upon a system generated schedule. The progress in building this specified autonomous system is described. Automation of Space Station Module PMAD was accomplished by segmenting the complete task in the following four independent tasks: (1) develop a detailed approach for PMAD automation; (2) define the software and hardware elements of automation; (3) develop the automation system for the PMAD breadboard; and (4) select an appropriate host processing environment

Partnering with Profs

This thesis will focus on the study of corporate universities and the development of a business plan for the implementation of Bi-State University. Research presented will cause the reader \O consider alternatives 10 accomplish strategic organizational training and development objectives. The reader should keep in mind their organizational culture and the developmental needs of their organization\u27s human resources. The purpose of this commentary is to identify the various options available beyond traditional training methods to develop a corporate university for Bi-State Development Agency. The best way to research approaches to human development is to ask the subject matter experts. Several approaches were used in this research including phone interviews, interviews with practitioners in HR publications, teleconference interviews, journal articles from training/HR national publications, published works of professional trainers and books from the American Society of Training and Development Best Practices Series. The business plan will act as a proposal for a partnership with a local university to offer an on-sight Bachelors program at Bi-State. The degree program will be a study in Management with a major in Transportation. Over twenty Bi-State employees have a Masters or Ph. D. that qualifies their participation as instructors m this joint venture. Many of these people have or are currently teaching in local colleges and universities. The education plan will go beyond theory into practical application using real-world transportation problems and opportunities. Students will learn through a unique challenge of combining classroom theory with practical application of the learned theory on tl1e job at Bi-State. This developmental approach will provide participants with education and practical career building learning. This project is one of a series of HR initiatives to assist Bi-State in creating a Learning Organization and help become the employer of choice in the public sector in the St. Louis region

Applying Real Options Thinking to Information Security in Networked Organizations

An information security strategy of an organization participating in a networked business sets out the plans for designing a variety of actions that ensure confidentiality, availability, and integrity of company’s key information assets. The actions are concerned with authentication and nonrepudiation of authorized users of these assets. We assume that the primary objective of security efforts in a company is improving and sustaining resiliency, which means security contributes to the ability of an organization to withstand discontinuities and disruptive events, to get back to its normal operating state, and to adapt to ever changing risk environments. When companies collaborating in a value web view security as a business issue, risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis techniques are necessary and explicit part of their process of resource allocation and budgeting, no matter if security spendings are treated as capital investment or operating expenditures. This paper contributes to the application of quantitative approaches to assessing risks, costs, and benefits associated with the various components making up the security strategy of a company participating in value networks. We take a risk-based approach to determining what types of security a strategy should include and how much of each type is enough. We adopt a real-options-based perspective of security and make a proposal to value the extent to which alternative components in a security strategy contribute to organizational resiliency and protect key information assets from being impeded, disrupted, or destroyed

The development and evaluation of a lean six sigma advanced manufacturing methodologies course for aeronautical engineering technology curriculum

Successful completion of the Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing methodologies practicum course provides undergraduate Aeronautical Engineering Technology (AET) students with the experience and knowledge appropriate to perform successfully in an advanced manufacturing environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine (a) Did the knowledge level of AET students increase following exposure to Lean Six Sigma and completion of the advanced manufacturing methodologies course? and (b) Did the course meet the AET students’ expectations following participation in the Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing course? The expected outcomes of the course included: 1. AET students will have the competencies to utilize required advanced manufacturing processes to operate a manufacturing facility. 2. AET students will have the ability to utilize advanced process quality planning methods to implement a quality program in a manufacturing facility. 3. AET students will have the knowledge and experience required to effectively implement supply chain management techniques and logistic programs in a manufacturing facility. 4. An effective continuous improvement process will be utilized and promoted throughout the curriculum. Currently, students are using the lab space in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology (SATT) to perform practical hands-on projects related to their aviation major. This study required undergraduate AET students to receive instruction in logistics, quality, and manufacturing terms and descriptions. Students utilized the information learned and basic lean manufacturing and continuous improvement philosophies to complete course projects. The course projects included a focus on transforming the School’s powerplant laboratory into a more typical aerospace manufacturing cell layout, enabling students to explore ways of operating an advanced manufacturing facility. Students in the advanced aviation manufacturing course developed and implemented manufacturing simulations. This study focused on developing a world-class course utilizing an operating laboratory facility to prepare future aviation manufacturing professionals with industry leading skill sets. This study was used to gather data for the development and evaluation of a Lean Six Sigma advanced manufacturing course with future goals of scaffolding with other SATT courses to provide a minor for the AET curriculum in advanced aviation manufacturing. The findings of the study indicated that student knowledge levels of Lean Six Sigma methodologies increased significantly after receiving instruction. Additional findings of the study revealed that students felt the course met their expectations. However, due to several limitations of this study, further research is recommended in focused areas to provide students the tools to compete in the aviation and advanced manufacturing world

The process of design for environment within global manufacturing companies

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1996, and Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1996.Includes bibliographical references.by Neha Shah, J. Douglas Winter.M.S

Total Quality Management and Six Sigma

In order to survive in a modern and competitive environment, organizations need to carefully organize their activities regarding quality management. TQM and six sigma are the approaches that have been successful in solving intricate quality problems in products and services. This volume can help those who are interested in the quality management field to understand core ideas along with contemporary efforts done in the field and authored as case studies in this volume. This volume may be useful to students, academics and practitioners across diversified disciplines

Reducing Customer Waiting Time of Commercial Banking Industry (A Case Study)

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the College of Business and Technology Morehead State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Feng Gao April 26, 2016

Augmented reality applied in safety equipment inspections

The construction industry, and in particular a construction site, is a hazardous place for workers who are exposed to several risks. The dynamism and the complex interaction between the workers, machinery and the environment can lead to dangerous risks that need to be resolved. According to the European Union, the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry possess one of the highest accident rates among other industries, primarily due to the significant exposure to a construction site's risks compared to others. The accident rate is still relatively high despite the effort that the industry has made in terms of Occupational Risk Prevention (ORP) during the last years. The vision is to achieve the philosophy of zero accidents, which requires more effective methodologies that improve the capacity and the knowledge of the people involved in a construction site. These innovative solutions, consisting of building up risk-preventive data, training, and developing new technological tools to use on-site, are being studied and implemented by the industry. Nevertheless, there is still potential for enhancement on new methodologies that guarantees the safety of the workers