The requirements management practices: A study at UUM IT

Requirements engineering is a main process in software engineering that focusing on development and managing the user requirements. One of the requirements engineering activities is requirements management. It plays an important role when it comes to the support of product development teams. Despite this, there is a lack of practice in requirements management activity in the software project development. Malaysian software markets are still facing several problems in requirements management practices such as requirements quality, requirements inadequately, and identification of requirements; with limited studies that address it. In this study, UUM IT as computer services provider in a local universities in Malaysia is design as case study, to represent as one organization in Malaysia software markets. This study aims to investigate the current situation for the requirement management in UUM IT, and assess the relationship CMMI level 2 with the requirements management practices in UUM IT. This study adopted mixed method through used questionnaire with the UUM IT team, as well as, interviews with managers of UUM IT for more reliability. The outcome of study showed that the UUM IT are used requirements management activities but there is a need for more attention and improve. Moreover, the study proposes CMMI appraisal method to enhance the performance of software development tea

Methodological approaches and techniques for designing ontologies in information systems requirements engineering

Programa doutoral em Information Systems and TechnologyThe way we interact with the world around us is changing as new challenges arise, embracing innovative business models, rethinking the organization and processes to maximize results, and evolving change management. Currently, and considering the projects executed, the methodologies used do not fully respond to the companies' needs. On the one hand, organizations are not familiar with the languages used in Information Systems, and on the other hand, they are often unable to validate requirements or business models. These are some of the difficulties encountered that lead us to think about formulating a new approach. Thus, the state of the art presented in this paper includes a study of the models involved in the software development process, where traditional methods and the rivalry of agile methods are present. In addition, a survey is made about Ontologies and what methods exist to conceive, transform, and represent them. Thus, after analyzing some of the various possibilities currently available, we began the process of evolving a method and developing an approach that would allow us to design ontologies. The method we evolved and adapted will allow us to derive terminologies from a specific domain, aggregating them in order to facilitate the construction of a catalog of terminologies. Next, the definition of an approach to designing ontologies will allow the construction of a domain-specific ontology. This approach allows in the first instance to integrate and store the data from different information systems of a given organization. In a second instance, the rules for mapping and building the ontology database are defined. Finally, a technological architecture is also proposed that will allow the mapping of an ontology through the construction of complex networks, allowing mapping and relating terminologies. This doctoral work encompasses numerous Research & Development (R&D) projects belonging to different domains such as Software Industry, Textile Industry, Robotic Industry and Smart Cities. Finally, a critical and descriptive analysis of the work done is performed, and we also point out perspectives for possible future work.A forma como interagimos com o mundo à nossa volta está a mudar à medida que novos desafios surgem, abraçando modelos empresariais inovadores, repensando a organização e os processos para maximizar os resultados, e evoluindo a gestão da mudança. Atualmente, e considerando os projetos executados, as metodologias utilizadas não respondem na totalidade às necessidades das empresas. Por um lado, as organizações não estão familiarizadas com as linguagens utilizadas nos Sistemas de Informação, por outro lado, são muitas vezes incapazes de validar requisitos ou modelos de negócio. Estas são algumas das dificuldades encontradas que nos levam a pensar na formulação de uma nova abordagem. Assim, o estado da arte apresentado neste documento inclui um estudo dos modelos envolvidos no processo de desenvolvimento de software, onde os métodos tradicionais e a rivalidade de métodos ágeis estão presentes. Além disso, é efetuado um levantamento sobre Ontologias e quais os métodos existentes para as conceber, transformar e representar. Assim, e após analisarmos algumas das várias possibilidades atualmente disponíveis, iniciou-se o processo de evolução de um método e desenvolvimento de uma abordagem que nos permitisse conceber ontologias. O método que evoluímos e adaptamos permitirá derivar terminologias de um domínio específico, agregando-as de forma a facilitar a construção de um catálogo de terminologias. Em seguida, a definição de uma abordagem para conceber ontologias permitirá a construção de uma ontologia de um domínio específico. Esta abordagem permite em primeira instância, integrar e armazenar os dados de diferentes sistemas de informação de uma determinada organização. Num segundo momento, são definidas as regras para o mapeamento e construção da base de dados ontológica. Finalmente, é também proposta uma arquitetura tecnológica que permitirá efetuar o mapeamento de uma ontologia através da construção de redes complexas, permitindo mapear e relacionar terminologias. Este trabalho de doutoramento engloba inúmeros projetos de Investigação & Desenvolvimento (I&D) pertencentes a diferentes domínios como por exemplo Indústria de Software, Indústria Têxtil, Indústria Robótica e Smart Cities. Finalmente, é realizada uma análise critica e descritiva do trabalho realizado, sendo que apontamos ainda perspetivas de possíveis trabalhos futuros

Toward a Theory of Multi-Method Modeling and Simulation Approach

The representation via simulation models can easily lead to simulation models too simple for their intended purpose, or with too much detail, making them hard to understand. This problem is related to limitations of the modeling and simulation methods. A multi-method Modeling and Simulation (M&S) approach has the potential for improved representation by taking advantage of methods\u27 strengths and mitigating their weaknesses. Despite a high appeal for using multiple M&S methods, several related problems should be addressed first. The current level of theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic knowledge related to a multi-method M&S approach is limited. It is problematic that there is no clearly identified purpose and definition of the multi-method M&S approach. Theoretical and methodological advances are vital to enhancing the application of a multi-method M&S approach to address a broader range of scientific inquiries, improve quality of research, and enable finding common ground between scientific domains. This dissertation explored theoretical principles and research guidelines of a multi-method M&S approach. The analyzed literature offered perspectives related to the purpose, terms, and research guidelines of a multi-method M&S approach. A pragmatic philosophical stance was used to provide the basis for the choice of terms and definitions relevant to a multi-method M&S approach were proposed. The degrees of falsifiability are adapted to the M&S domain, which allowed for developing complementarity principles as the theoretical basis of a multi-method M&S approach. Next, a blueprint of a multi-method M&S approach called method formats was derived, because transitions toward formats must seek justifications in order to increase research objectivity and transparency. A sample set of methods was explored in the context of a proposed sample set of criteria. None of the methods were evaluated with the maximum score for every criterion, which implied that if all those characteristics were required within a research context, then, none of the methods could provide the highest possible score without combining methods. Finally, a case study that included a multi-method simulation model was developed, providing a data layer for evaluation of complementarity principles. The case study contributed to the credibility of complementarity principles as a reason to use a multi-method M&S approach and value of pseudo-triangulation as a mean of verification of a selected approach

Enterprise architecture in practice : from IT concept towards enterprise architecture leadership

Informaatioteknologia (Information Technology, IT) on kaikkialla ja liiketoimintakriittisesti välttämätön osa yritysten nykytoimintaa, viestintää ja tulevaisuuden strategioita (Nolan 2012). Informaatiota tarvitaan ihmisten ja organisaatioiden hyvinvointiin, kasvuun ja selviytymiseen. IT muuttaa liiketoimintaa, työtä ja työnjakoa nopeammin ja laajemmin kuin mikään aikaisempi tekninen keksintö. Teknologiaa käytetään informaation hankkimiseen, hallintaan ja jakamiseen. Teknologioiden, tietojärjestelmien (Information Systems, IS) ja informaation hallinta vaativat uutta ajattelua, konsepteja ja välineitä työn organisointiin (Orlikowski 2007). Tämä opinnäytetyö tutkii kokonaisarkkitehtuurin (Enterprise Architecture, EA) mahdollisuuksia hallita teknologioita ja digitalisaatiota osana nykyaikaista liiketoimintaa. EA-käsitteellä ei ole vakiintunutta määritelmää. Burgess, Ramakrishnan, Salmans ja Kappelman (2010, 252) raportoi 10 erilaista tapaa määritellä EA-käsite, joista korkeimman abstraktiotason määritelmä on “kaikki tietämys yrityksestä”. EA-käsitteen moniselitteisyys johtuu osittain informaatioteknologian nopeasta kehityksestä ja hyvin teknisestä näkökulmasta. Viimeisen 20 vuoden aikana kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallinnan (EA management; EAM) idea on kasvanut tietotekniikasta ja IT-arkkitehtuureista kohti hallinnollista innovaatiota, jolla ohjataan organisaation rahan käyttöä (Luftman & Ben-Zvi 2011, 206), tietojärjestelmien kehitystä (Makiya 2012, 6) ja strategian toteutusta (Simon, Fischbach & Schoder 2014). EAM on uusi käsite, joka lupaa moninaisia hyötyjä, mutta sisältää samalla ristiriitaisia odotuksia ja monimutkaisia systeemisiä ja sosiaalisia haasteita mahdollisten hyötyjen realisoimiseksi. Tämä työ tarkastelee kokonaisarkkitehtuuria IT-käsitteenä ja monimutkaisena sosioteknisenä ilmiönä. Etenemme EA:n tietoteknisistä juurista, arkkitehtuureista, liiketoiminnan ja tietotekniikan samansuuntaisuuden (alignment) kautta kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallintaan. Kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallinnasta jatkamme toiminnan teorian (Vygotsky 1978, Leontiev 1978, 1981; Engeström 1987), toimijaverkostoteorian (Actor-Network Theory, ANT: Latour 1999a; Monteiro 2000), strukturaatioteorian (Giddens 1984) ja sosiomateriaalisuuden (Orlikowski 2007) avulla kohti kokonaisarkkitehtuurin johtamista (EA leadership). Teoriaosuudessa esittelemme kolme viitekehystä ja näkökulman analysoida organisaation tietotekniikan, kokonaisarkkitehtuurin ja tietämyksen hallinnan sosiomaterialistista kokonaisuutta. Opinnäytetyön kokeellinen osuus on tapaustutkimus kohdeyrityksemme kokonaisarkkitehtuurin kehittymisestä. Teoriaosuuden viitekehyksiä testataan analysoimalla kohdeyrityksen kokonaisarkkitehtuurin kehityksestä tehtyjä etnografisia havaintoja vuosilta 1996-2011. Seitsemän lyhyttä kuvausta (vignettes) kertovat kohdeyrityksen kokonaisarkkitehtuurin kehitystarinoita, joita arvioidaan IT, EA, EAM ja tietämyksen hallinnan näkökulmista. Tämä työ osoittaa kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallinnan mahdollisuuksia parantaa informaatiotekniikan tuottavuutta integroimalla liiketoiminnan, prosessien ja tietojärjestelmien/tekniikan kehittämistä. Kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallinta vaatii lisää systeemistä ymmärrystä miten sosiomateriaalisia rakenteita ja käytäntöjä tulisi (uudelleen)määrittää ja sovittaa yrityksen tietämyksen ja muutoksen hallinnan tehostamiseksi. Tutkimuksessa esitettyjä viitekehyksiä voidaan jatkossa käyttää pyrittäessä kohti reflektoivia kokonaisarkkitehtuurin hallinnan ja johtamisen käytäntöjä

A human fashion brand model to define critical symbiotic relationships for celebrity fashion emulation

The internet and widespread use of Web 2.0 technologies such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, are changing and shaping the way celebrities communicate their fashions to their fans. This is because it facilitates a more direct connection with celebrities. Celebrities are used as a reference point for entertainment to fill a gap or numerous gaps in individuals’ and consumers’ lives (Rojek, 2001). Why individuals feel the need to look for inspiration from celebrities and their styles to activate, validate, fulfil their expectations, create feelings and experiences is important for marketers to understand. From an industry perspective there is real revenue in the sales of their celebrity copy ready to wear derivations and mass market clothing. The meanings and attachments of celebrities and their fashions can significantly shape identity development of consumers and many theorists believe these attachments foster the transition into adulthood, in much the same way that relationships with peers do. Preceding celebrity research has involved using the “celebrity as an endorser for another brand's product… rather than understanding the celebrity brand itself” (Moulard, Garrity, & Rice, 2015). This investigation explores the current context of literature in celebrity fashion marketing and examines the celebrity and their effectiveness in endorsing and promoting fashions as a coercive force in shaping the identity of fashion consumers. There are three stakeholder groups involved in celebrity fashion and emulation which are termed symbionts by the researcher. Namely, the fashion celebrity, the fashion celebrity marketer and the fashion consumer. The interrelationship of these three stakeholders is investigated in the research and a ‘Human Fashion Brand Model’ is developed to define critical symbiotic relationships for celebrity emulation. Based on the examination of the ‘Human Fashion Brand Model’, the research presented the research aim and objectives. It provided an outline of how the ‘Human Fashion Brand Model’ evolved and was developed. The study presents valuable results and insights and a research methodology is used to assist in the model development which demonstrates the key findings gathered from literature reviews and the use of semi-structured interviews by the assimilating of theory into one model to theory build and demonstrate the varying complexities between the symbionts which describe best practice theories and constructs.The need for a ‘Human Fashion Brand Model’ is pertinent because there is an enhanced growth in the use of social media by celebrities to communicate their fashions without a clear understanding and monitoring of their positioning, capability /maturity, the impact this has and the measuring of the impact. The research analyses existing models and how these impact on the fashion consumer-self, on the attachments that individuals place on celebrities as opinion leaders and their fashions. The ‘Human Fashion Brand Model’ is envisaged to be a guide for anyone interested in celebrity fashion marketing and can be further adaptable to any gender, age group, country, campaign location, target customer, religion or culture. The model’s workability and efficiency in the field is validated and the final chapter summarises the entire research and provides recommendations for future research