A Comprehensive Methodology for Computer-Family Selection

This paper presents a selection methodology for a computer-family. The proposed methodology incorporates the Analytic Hierarchy Process in the evaluation procedure and aims at helping organizations in selecting a family of computers from a manufacturer's product line, rather than a specific computer model. The practice of computer selection and the existing solutions for a computer-family selection procedure are briefly described. Then, Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process is presented and incorporated into the selection methodology. The result is a structured and comprehensive methodology that allows decision makers to rank the alternatives more objectively and select a computer-family that best fits the needs of the entire organization. Illustrative examples are embedded in the text to demonstrate the application of the various steps in the proposed methodology. (kr)Research Council of the Naval Postgraduate School.http://archive.org/details/comprehensivemet00zvirO&MN, Direct FundingNAApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

A prolog implementation of pattern search to optimize software quality assurance

Quality Assurance (QA) is a critical factor in the development of successful software systems. Through the use of various QA tools, project managers can ensure that a desired level of performance and reliability is built into the system. However, these tools are not without cost. Project managers must weight all QA costs and benefits for each development environment before weigh all QA costs and benefits for each development environment before establishing an allocation strategy. The development of a system dynamics model has provided project managers with an automated tool that accurately replicates a project's dynamic behavior. This model can be used to determine the optimal quality assurance distribution pattern over a given project's life cycle. The objective of this thesis was to enhance a prototype expert system module that interacts with the system dynamics model for determining QA effort allocation schemes. The new module uses a pattern search algorithm to derive an optimal distribution scheme from a given set of project parameters. This system not only resolves all limitations discovered in the prototype model but also achieved significant reductions in total project cost.http://archive.org/details/aprologimplement1094530680Lieutenant, United Sstates NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

On the Optimal Decentralization of Data Processing in an Organization

Due to the developments in micro electronics, there is today a wider choice than ever of computer sizes and networks to choose from. There are many factors like investments, installation, system development, education, organizational consequences and many others to be taken into account when an organization faces such a decision. A model of a set of those costs has been developed along with a computer program to carry out the tedious numerical work to compare different system design alternatives. The report does not include quantitative simulations but focuses on qualitative aspects. It is shown that in contrast to the earliest computer technologies, there exists now a true minimum representing the optimal level of decentralization. For a given task distribution, this level is shifting in time towards greater decentralization

A modelling approach to the evalution of computer system performance

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Interaktive Ad-hoc-Evaluation von Desktopsoftware durch Endbenutzer: Eine explorative Studie

Das Problem der Auswahl einer geeigneten Software wird in der Literatur in der Regel präskriptiv behandelt, d. h. es wird untersucht, wie man am besten vorgehen sollte, um zu einem guten Ergebnis zu kommen. Vereinzelte deskriptive Forschungsarbeiten befassen sich mit der Frage, was passieren würde, wenn man sich auf eine bestimmte Art und Weise verhielte. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellt die vorliegende Untersuchung den ersten Versuch dar, zu beschreiben und zu erklären, wie sich Individuen bei der Auswahl von „kleinen“ Softwaresystemen tatsächlich verhalten (im Gegensatz dazu, wie sie sich idealerweise verhalten sollten) und aus welchen Gründen sie sich für ein bestimmtes Programm entscheiden.In the extant literature, the problem of selecting appropriate software is usually dealt with in a prescriptive manner, i. e. by investigating the ideal procedure for achieving an optimal result. A few descriptive studies address the question of what would happen if one proceeded in a certain way. Against this background, this dissertation is the first attempt to describe and explain how individuals actually behave in the selection of „small“ software systems (as opposed to how they should behave ideally) and for what reasons they decide in favour of a certain program