Empowering End-users to Collaboratively Manage and Analyze Evolving Data Models

In order to empower end-users to make well-founded decisions based on domain-specific knowledge, companies use end-user oriented business intelligence (BI) software like spreadsheets. Moreover, many decisions require the collaboration of multiple and autonomous knowledge workers. However, prevalent BI software does not provide elevated collaboration features as known from traditional Web 2.0 technologies. There is also a lack of research on how to integrate collaboration features into BI systems, and which challenges arise as a consequence. In the paper at hand we address this issue by proposing the Spreadsheet 2.0 approach, which integrates Web 2.0 features with the spreadsheet paradigm as most-common representative of end-user-oriented business intelligence tools. Therefore, we derive requirements for a Web 2.0-based approach to collaborative BI, and present the conceptual design for a Spreadsheet 2.0 solution. Subsequently, we demonstrate a corresponding prototypical implementation, and elaborate on key findings and main challenges identified by its application and evaluation

EPOS : evolving personal to organizational knowledge spaces

EPOS will leverage the user´s personal workspace with its manyfold native information structures to his personal knowledge space and in cooperation with other personal workspaces contribute to the organizational knowledge space which is represented in the organizational memory. This first milestone presents results from the project´s first year in the areas of the personal informational model, user observation for context elicitation, collaborative information retrieval and information visualization

Using Unified Personal Information in Workspaces

Knowledge workers (KWers) deal with personal information and use tools like, e.g., desktop workspaces to support their work. But KWer support is hindered by personal information fragmentation, i.e., applications keep a set of personal information while not interconnecting it. This thesis addresses this in the domains personal task management and meeting management by using a common unified personal information model as offered by the semantic desktop personal information management (PIM) system

Compliance flow: an intelligent workflow management system to support engineering processes

This work is about extending the scope of current workflow management systems to support engineering processes. On the one hand engineering processes are relatively dynamic, and on the other their specification and performance are constrained by industry standards and guidelines for the sake of product acceptability, such as IEC 61508 for safety and ISO 9001 for quality. A number of technologies have been proposed to increase the adaptability of current workflow systems to deal with dynamic situations. A primary concern is how to support open-ended processes that cannot be completely specified in detail prior to their execution. A survey of adaptive workflow systems is given and the enabling technologies are discussed. Engineering processes are studied and their characteristics are identified and discussed. Current workflow systems have been successfully used in managing "administrative" processes for some time, but they lack the flexibility to support dynamic, unpredictable, collaborative, and highly interdependent engineering processes. [Continues.

Application of a knowledge-based ontology of the legal domain in collaborative workspaces

Informatie en Communicatie Technologie (ICT) en rech

Application of a knowledge-based ontology of the legal domain in collaborative workspaces.

Informatie en Communicatie Technologie (ICT) en rech

ONTOLOGY-ENABLED TRACEABILITY MODELS FOR ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

This thesis describes new models and a system for satisfying requirements, and an architectural framework for linking discipline-specific dependencies through inter- action relationships at the ontology (or meta-model) level. In a departure from state-of-the-art traceability mechanisms, we ask the question: What design concept (or family of design concepts) should be applied to satisfy this requirement? Solu- tions to this question establish links between requirements and design concepts. The implementation of these concepts leads to the design itself. These ideas, and support for design-rule checking are prototyped through a series of progressively complicated applications, culminating in a case study for rail transit systems management

4D Simulation of Capital Construction Projects: Levels of Development and Ontology for Delay Claims Applications

4D simulation is commonly used in building construction projects as part of Building Information Modeling (BIM) processes. A construction project progresses through different phases. At each of these phases, the project schedules and 3D models have various levels of development (LODs) ranging from summarized to detailed models. Therefore, 4D simulation should consider multiple LODs. However, the literature does not define 4D-LODs adequately. On the other hand, there is limited research related to the visualization of complex delay claims using 4D simulation. Moreover, although BIM, 4D simulation, Delay Effects and Causes (DEC), and claims are knowledge domains with active research in the construction industry, there is a gap in integrating these domains in a more formal and overarching ontology-based approach to link essential concepts such as liability, causality and quantum in a delay claim using 4D simulation. The long-term goal of this thesis is to propose a systematic approach for the development of 4D simulation to fulfill the needs of different applications focusing on the area of delay claims. The thesis has the following specific objectives: (1) Providing a guideline about 4D-LODs definitions that are based on needs and project progress; (2) Introducing a formal method for developing 4D simulation of capital construction projects considering different time horizons; (3) Investigating the current usage, efficiency and value of 4D simulation in construction delay claims and applications such as analyzing delay DEC and assigning responsibilities; (4) Developing a multidisciplinary ontology for linking delay claims with 4D simulation to analyze DEC and responsibilities; and (5) Developing a method for delay claim visualization and analysis using 4D simulation. The selection of the suitable 4D-LOD based on the proposed guideline enables an effective simulation considering the needs of the project and the available information. The proposed 4D-LODs are useful in identifying the different representations of workspaces created at each LOD. Furthermore, the proposed 4D simulation development method is efficient and useful for project owners and contractors to streamline the simulation process by focusing on needs. This method has been applied in several large-scale projects, and resulted in reducing project cost and duration by quickly identifying feasible scenarios, as well as avoiding claims and minimizing site conflicts. A survey has been conducted to understand the potential applications of 4D simulation in forensic investigation of delay claims in construction projects. The results of the survey show that 4D simulation is efficient for all roles involved in delay claims negotiations and litigations including judges, lawyers, experts and witnesses. However, 4D simulation would provide more benefits if it is required in the contract. 4D simulation can facilitate the identification, visualization, quantification and responsibility assignment of delay events by identifying spatio-temporal conflicts and generating a better collaboration environment for finding appropriate mitigation measures. Finally, an ontology (called Claim4D-Onto) has been developed for linking delay claims with 4D simulation to analyze effects-causes and responsibilities. Claim4D-Onto has been validated with legal experts and delay claims professionals considering the criteria of clarity and completeness. Claim4D-Onto can facilitate a systematic and clear representation of the DEC and responsibilities in 4D simulation for delay claims management and avoidance. Using the concepts of Claim4D-Onto, it has been demonstrated that visual analytics based on 4D simulation can clarify the causality and analyze delay responsibilities and entitlements as a complementary tool to the cause-effect matrix. The main contributions developed in the context of this thesis are: (1) Defining 4D-LODs with a guideline based on the available information and needs; (2) Introducing the development of 4D simulation with a formal method considering different time horizons; (3) Identifying the efficiency and value of 4D simulation in construction claims as a tool for supporting legal arguments, stakeholder’s viewpoints and interrogatory considerations; (4) Developing a visualization method to facilitate the identification and quantification of events in delay claims using 4D simulation; (5) Developing a multidisciplinary ontology (Claim4D-Onto) for linking delay claims with 4D simulation; and (6) Extending the benefits of 4D simulation in the area of delay claims with visual analytics of DEC and responsibilities

Improving reproducibility and reuse of modelling results in the life sciences

Research results are complex and include a variety of heterogeneous data. This entails major computational challenges to (i) to manage simulation studies, (ii) to ensure model exchangeability, stability and validity, and (iii) to foster communication between partners. I describe techniques to improve the reproducibility and reuse of modelling results. First, I introduce a method to characterise differences in computational models. Second, I present approaches to obtain shareable and reproducible research results. Altogether, my methods and tools foster exchange and reuse of modelling results.Die verteilte Entwicklung von komplexen Simulationsstudien birgt eine große Zahl an informationstechnischen Herausforderungen: (i) Modelle müssen verwaltet werden; (ii) Reproduzierbarkeit, Stabilität und Gültigkeit von Ergebnissen muss sichergestellt werden; und (iii) die Kommunikation zwischen Partnern muss verbessert werden. Ich stelle Techniken vor, um die Reproduzierbarkeit und Wiederverwendbarkeit von Modellierungsergebnissen zu verbessern. Meine Implementierungen wurden erfolgreich in internationalen Anwendungen integriert und fördern das Teilen von wissenschaftlichen Ergebnissen

EPOS : evolving personal to organizational knowledge spaces

EPOS will leverage the user´s personal workspace with its manyfold native information structures to his personal knowledge space and in cooperation with other personal workspaces contribute to the organizational knowledge space which is represented in the organizational memory. This first milestone presents results from the project´s first year in the areas of the personal informational model, user observation for context elicitation, collaborative information retrieval and information visualization