6NF Conceptual Models and Data Warehousing 2.0

Sixth Normal Form (6NF) is a term used in relational database theory by Christopher Date to describe databases which decompose relational variables to irreducible elements. While this form may be unimportant for non-temporal data, it is certainly important when maintaining data containing temporal variables of a point-in-time or interval nature. With the advent of Data Warehousing 2.0 (DW 2.0), there is now an increased emphasis on using fully-temporalized databases in the context of data warehousing, in particular with next generation approaches such as Anchor Modeling. In this paper, we will explore the concepts of temporal data, 6NF conceptual database models, and their relationship with DW 2.0. Further, we will also evaluate Anchor Modeling as a conceptual design method in which to capture temporal data. Using these concepts, we will indicate a path forward for evaluating a possible translation of 6NF-compliant data into an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) Schema for the purpose of describing and presenting such data to disparate systems in a structured format suitable for data exchange

Modeling Data Lake Metadata with a Data Vault

International audienceWith the rise of big data, business intelligence had to find solutions for managing even greater data volumes and variety than in data warehouses, which proved ill-adapted. Data lakes answer these needs from a storage point of view, but require managing adequate metadata to guarantee an efficient access to data. Starting from a multidimensional metadata model designed for an industrial heritage data lake presenting a lack of schema evolutivity, we propose in this paper to use ensemble modeling, and more precisely a data vault, to address this issue. To illustrate the feasibility of this approach, we instantiate our metadata conceptual model into relational and document-oriented logical and physical models, respectively. We also compare the physical models in terms of metadata storage and query response time

Culture dimensions in software development industry: The effects of mentoring

Software development is a human centric and sociotechnical activity and like all human activities is influenced by cultural factors. However, software engineering is being further affected because of the globalization in software development. As a result, cultural diversity is influencing software development and its outcomes. The software engineering industry, a very intensive industry regarding human capital, is facing a new era in which software development personnel must adapt to multicultural work environments. Today, many organizations present a multicultural workforce which needs to be managed. This paper analyzes the influence of culture on mentoring relationships within the software engineering industry. Two interesting findings can be concluded from our study: (1) cultural differences affect both formal and informal mentoring, and (2) technical competences are not improved when implementing mentoring relationships

Human systems integration: training and education needs analysis

Over the past decade, the military (both US and foreign) has developed a wide range of tools, techniques, and technologies for integrating human factors into systems engineering. Human Systems Integration (HSI) came forth as a new multidisciplinary field of study composed of several basic areas including Human Factors Engineering, System Safety, Health Hazards, Personnel Survivability, Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Habitability. An online survey was designed to examine education and training in HSI. 19 HSI experts responded to the survey. The feedback showed that there is a lack of high qualified practitioners in HSI. Many HSI practitioners are lacking of required skills due to limited resources of education and training in HSI area. A common opinion shared by all the experts is that there are limited programs in HSI or the education programs are not focused on HSI. Many major universities do not have an adequate program. Majority of the HSI programs are focused on mostly Human Factors and are not really on HSI. All aspects of the domains in HSI are not covered in the programs. The experts recommend more applications or hands-on. A series of HSI education and training programs are discussed and recommendations are made to provide a path of future improvement for future students and employers in the field of HSI. Predictions are also made concerning the potential that HSI and Human Factors could be merged into one systematic science that could be used in both industrial and military complex systems --Abstract, page iii

Relational model of temporal data based on 6th normal form

Ovaj rad povezuje dva različita područja istraživanja, tj. Temporalne podatke i Relacijsko modeliranje. Temporalni podaci su podaci koji predstavljaju stanje u vremenu, a temporalna baza podataka je baza podataka s ugrađenom podrškom za baratanje s podacima koji uključuju vrijeme. Većina temporalnih sustava pruža dovoljno temporalnih karakteristika, ali su relacijski modeli nepravilno normalizirani, a pristupi modeliranju nedostaju ili nisu uvjerljivi. Ovim se prijedlogom daju prednosti modeliranja temporalne baze podataka, prvenstveno korištene u analitici i izvještavanju, gdje tipična pretraživanja uključuju mali podniz atributa i veliku količinu zapisa. U radu se definira posebni logički model koji podržava temporalne podatke i konzistenciju, zasnovan na vertikalnoj dekompoziciji i šestoj normalnoj formi (6NF). Primjena 6NF omogućuje neovisnost u promjeni atributnih vrijednosti i tako sprečava redundanciju i anomalije. Naš je model uspoređen s drugim temporalnim modelima i demonstrirano je super brzo pretraživanje postignuto eliminacijom spajanja baze podataka (database join elimination). Svrha je rada pomoći stručnjacima koji se bave bazama podataka u primjeni temporalnog modeliranja.This paper brings together two different research areas, i.e. Temporal Data and Relational Modelling. Temporal data is data that represents a state in time while temporal database is a database with built-in support for handling data involving time. Most of temporal systems provide sufficient temporal features, but the relational models are improperly normalized, and modelling approaches are missing or unconvincing. This proposal offers advantages for a temporal database modelling, primarily used in analytics and reporting, where typical queries involve a small subset of attributes and a big amount of records. The paper defines a distinctive logical model, which supports temporal data and consistency, based on vertical decomposition and sixth normal form (6NF). The use of 6NF allows attribute values to change independently of each other, thus preventing redundancy and anomalies. Our proposal is evaluated against other temporal models and super-fast querying is demonstrated, achieved by database join elimination. The paper is intended to help database professionals in practice of temporal modelling

Streamlining the Decision-Making Process on Tubular Rigid Busbar Selection During the Planning / Designing Stage by Utilizing 3D Substation BIM Design Software

For Utilities, each substation is regarded as an asset. Managing of assets is one of domains of Asset Management including Life Cycle Costing (LCC) as a decision-making criterion. However, LCC as a decision-making criterion should be applied on an entire substation taking into account all of the potential cost influences for the purpose of achieving of an effective substation management. Asset management as a decision-making process should be observed within a larger context and should be more focused on risk management, as all real decisions include an element of risk due to present uncertainties. Two promising avenues are explored in regards to more comprehensive and rigorous up-front planning through usage of Information Technology (IT). While up-front planning falls under the domain of Lean philosophy, Building Information Modeling (BIM) falls under the category of agile decisionsupport tools. Utilization of both is explored from a perspective of design-uncertainties under both product and process design. Standard specifications and standard designs are another form of applied Lean Philosophy that reduces design-uncertainty and variability. However, a range of technical solutions stemming out of the standardization can be quite wide. Customization involves specification and design of new / innovative designs with wide range of technical solutions as well. Due to external pressures focused on shortening of the project delivery time, there is a need for a faster project time throughput. This is reflected in the form of a requirement for more rapid engineering decision-making and faster decision cycles. Streamlining of a decision-making process related to the engineering is all about engineers’ awareness of the situation from the project level perspective coupled with utilization of decision-support tools for creation and reuse of knowledge. Plan – Do – Study – Orient (PDSO) cycle is a decisionmaking model that supports creation and reusability of knowledge along with providing an explanation in regards to the time dimension relating to decision-making, and as such is presented in this paper. The rigid busbar system design is an iterative process influenced by many factors, defined either as design variables or design constraints. As rigid busbars are gaining more popularity for both greenfield and brownfield investments, the rigid busbar system design is explored from a perspective of decision-making streamlining. The case of the rigid busbar system design of El Chaparral project in El Salvador is given

Tradespace and Affordability – Phase 1

One of the key elements of the SERC’s research strategy is transforming the practice of systems engineering – “SE Transformation.” The Grand Challenge goal for SE Transformation is to transform the DoD community’s current systems engineering and management methods, processes, and tools (MPTs) and practices away from sequential, single stovepipe system, hardware-first, outside-in, document-driven, point-solution, acquisition-oriented approaches; and toward concurrent, portfolio and enterprise-oriented, hardware-software-human engineered, balanced outside-in and inside-out, model-driven, set-based, full life cycle approaches.This material is based upon work supported, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)) under Contract H98230-08- D-0171 (Task Order 0031, RT 046).This material is based upon work supported, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)) under Contract H98230-08- D-0171 (Task Order 0031, RT 046)