42,860 research outputs found
Boundary Objects and their Use in Agile Systems Engineering
Agile methods are increasingly introduced in automotive companies in the
attempt to become more efficient and flexible in the system development. The
adoption of agile practices influences communication between stakeholders, but
also makes companies rethink the management of artifacts and documentation like
requirements, safety compliance documents, and architecture models.
Practitioners aim to reduce irrelevant documentation, but face a lack of
guidance to determine what artifacts are needed and how they should be managed.
This paper presents artifacts, challenges, guidelines, and practices for the
continuous management of systems engineering artifacts in automotive based on a
theoretical and empirical understanding of the topic. In collaboration with 53
practitioners from six automotive companies, we conducted a design-science
study involving interviews, a questionnaire, focus groups, and practical data
analysis of a systems engineering tool. The guidelines suggest the distinction
between artifacts that are shared among different actors in a company (boundary
objects) and those that are used within a team (locally relevant artifacts). We
propose an analysis approach to identify boundary objects and three practices
to manage systems engineering artifacts in industry
Improving root cause analysis through the integration of PLM systems with cross supply chain maintenance data
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a system architecture for integrating Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems with cross supply chain maintenance information to support root-cause analysis. By integrating product-data from PLM systems with warranty claims, vehicle diagnostics and technical publications, engineers were able to improve the root-cause analysis and close the information gaps. Data collection was achieved via in-depth semi-structured interviews and workshops with experts from the automotive sector. Unified Modelling Language (UML) diagrams were used to design the system architecture proposed. A user scenario is also presented to demonstrate the functionality of the system
On Using Blockchains for Safety-Critical Systems
Innovation in the world of today is mainly driven by software. Companies need
to continuously rejuvenate their product portfolios with new features to stay
ahead of their competitors. For example, recent trends explore the application
of blockchains to domains other than finance. This paper analyzes the
state-of-the-art for safety-critical systems as found in modern vehicles like
self-driving cars, smart energy systems, and home automation focusing on
specific challenges where key ideas behind blockchains might be applicable.
Next, potential benefits unlocked by applying such ideas are presented and
discussed for the respective usage scenario. Finally, a research agenda is
outlined to summarize remaining challenges for successfully applying
blockchains to safety-critical cyber-physical systems
Safety-Critical Systems and Agile Development: A Mapping Study
In the last decades, agile methods had a huge impact on how software is
developed. In many cases, this has led to significant benefits, such as quality
and speed of software deliveries to customers. However, safety-critical systems
have widely been dismissed from benefiting from agile methods. Products that
include safety critical aspects are therefore faced with a situation in which
the development of safety-critical parts can significantly limit the potential
speed-up through agile methods, for the full product, but also in the
non-safety critical parts. For such products, the ability to develop
safety-critical software in an agile way will generate a competitive advantage.
In order to enable future research in this important area, we present in this
paper a mapping of the current state of practice based on {a mixed method
approach}. Starting from a workshop with experts from six large Swedish product
development companies we develop a lens for our analysis. We then present a
systematic mapping study on safety-critical systems and agile development
through this lens in order to map potential benefits, challenges, and solution
candidates for guiding future research.Comment: Accepted at Euromicro Conf. on Software Engineering and Advanced
Applications 2018, Prague, Czech Republi
Unleashing the Effectiveness of Process-oriented Information Systems: Problem Analysis, Critical Success Factors, Implications
Process-oriented information systems (IS) aim at the computerized support of business processes. So far, contemporary IS have often fail to meet this goal. To better understand this drawback, to systematically identify its rationales, and to derive critical success factors for business process support, we conducted three empirical studies: an exploratory case study in the automotive domain, an online survey among 79 IT professionals, and another online survey among 70 business process management (BPM) experts. This paper summarizes the findings of these studies, puts them in relation with each other, and uses them to show that "process-orientation" is scarce and "process-awareness" is needed in IS engineering
A3 thinking approach to support knowledge-driven design
Problem solving is a crucial skill in product development. Any lack of effective decision making at an early design stage will affect productivity and increase costs and the lead time for the other stages of the product development life cycle. This could be improved by the use of a simple and informative approach which allows the designers and engineers to make decisions in product design by providing useful knowledge. This paper presents a novel A3 thinking approach to problem solving in product design, and provides a new A3 template which is structured from a combination of customised elements (e.g. the 8 Disciplines approach) and reflection practice. This approach was validated using a case study in the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) design issue for an automotive electrical sub-assembly product. The main advantage of the developed approach is to create and capture the useful knowledge in a simple manner. Moreover, the approach provides a reflection section allowing the designers to turn their experience of design problem solving into proper learning and to represent their understanding of the design solution. These will be systematically structured (e.g. as a design checklist) to be circulated and shared as a reference for future design projects. Thus, the recurrence of similar design problems will be prevented and will aid the designers in adopting the expected EMC test results
SAT-based Analysis, (Re-)Configuration & Optimization in the Context of Automotive Product documentation
Es gibt einen steigenden Trend hin zu kundenindividueller Massenproduktion (mass customization), insbesondere im Bereich der Automobilkonfiguration. Kundenindividuelle Massenproduktion führt zu einem enormen Anstieg der Komplexität. Es gibt Hunderte von Ausstattungsoptionen aus denen ein Kunde wählen kann um sich sein persönliches Auto zusammenzustellen. Die Anzahl der unterschiedlichen konfigurierbaren Autos eines deutschen Premium-Herstellers liegt für ein Fahrzeugmodell bei bis zu 10^80.
SAT-basierte Methoden haben sich zur Verifikation der Stückliste (bill of materials) von Automobilkonfigurationen etabliert. Carsten Sinz hat Mitte der 90er im Bereich der SAT-basierten Verifikationsmethoden für die Daimler AG Pionierarbeit geleistet. Darauf aufbauend wurde nach 2005 ein produktives Software System bei der Daimler AG installiert. Später folgten weitere deutsche Automobilhersteller und installierten ebenfalls SAT-basierte Systeme zur Verifikation ihrer Stücklisten.
Die vorliegende Arbeit besteht aus zwei Hauptteilen. Der erste Teil beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung weiterer SAT-basierter Methoden für Automobilkonfigurationen. Wir zeigen, dass sich SAT-basierte Methoden für interaktive Automobilkonfiguration eignen. Wir behandeln unterschiedliche Aspekte der interaktiven Konfiguration. Darunter Konsistenzprüfung, Generierung von Beispielen, Erklärungen und die Vermeidung von Fehlkonfigurationen. Außerdem entwickeln wir SAT-basierte Methoden zur Verifikation von dynamischen Zusammenbauten. Ein dynamischer Zusammenbau repräsentiert die chronologische Zusammenbau-Reihenfolge komplexer Teile.
Der zweite Teil beschäftigt sich mit der Optimierung von Automobilkonfigurationen. Wir erläutern und vergleichen unterschiedliche Optimierungsprobleme der Aussagenlogik sowie deren algorithmische Lösungsansätze. Wir beschreiben Anwendungsfälle aus der Automobilkonfiguration und zeigen wie diese als aussagenlogisches Optimierungsproblem formalisiert werden können. Beispielsweise möchte man zu einer Menge an Ausstattungswünschen ein Test-Fahrzeug mit minimaler Ergänzung weiterer Ausstattungen berechnen um Kosten zu sparen. DesWeiteren beschäftigen wir uns mit der Problemstellung eine kleinste Menge an Fahrzeugen zu berechnen um eine Testmenge abzudecken.
Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit haben wir einen Prototypen eines (Re-)Konfigurators, genannt AutoConfig, entwickelt. Unser (Re-)Konfigurator verwendet im Kern SAT-basierte Methoden und besitzt eine grafische Benutzeroberfläche, welche interaktive Konfiguration erlaubt. AutoConfig kann mit Instanzen von drei großen deutschen Automobilherstellern umgehen, aber ist nicht alleine darauf beschränkt. Mit Hilfe dieses Prototyps wollen wir die Anwendbarkeit unserer Methoden demonstrieren
Fighting Irrelevance: The Role of Regional Trade Agreements in International Production Networks in Asia
This chapter contains the sectoral case study on the automotive industry in China. The objective of this chapter is to consider the role, if any, of RTAs in the growth of IPNs in automobile sector in China. Without a doubt, IPNs preceded RTAs. However, with the uncertainly associated with the prolonged negotiations under the WTO Doha Round, additional regional agreements can be expected, while existing ones might expand in depth and scope. Thus, the objective here is to consider these factors that are important to these RTAs and which could therefore encourage greater use of IPNs in China. This is done by considering the automotive sector in China.trade liberalization, international production networks, regional trade agreements, value chain, Asia, automotive, East Asia, China
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