Requirements analysis for decision-support system design: evidence from the automotive industry

The purpose of this paper is to outline the requirements analysis that was carried out to support the development of a system that allows engineers to view real-time data integrated from multiple silos such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Warranty systems, in a single and visual environment. The outcome of this study provides a clear understanding of how engineers working in different phases of the product-lifecycle could utilise such information to improve the decision making process and as a result design better products. This study uses data collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and workshops that includes people working in various roles within the automotive sector. In order to demonstrate the applicability this approach, SysML diagrams are also provided

Applications of lean thinking: a briefing document

This report has been put together by the Health and Care Infrastructure Research and Innovation Centre (HaCIRIC) at the University of Salford for the Department of Health. The need for the report grew out of two main simple questions, o Is Lean applicable in sectors other than manufacturing? o Can the service delivery sector learn from the success of lean in manufacturing and realise the benefits of its implementation?The aim of the report is to list together examples of lean thinking as it is evidenced in the public and private service sector. Following a review of various sources a catalogue of evidence is put together in an organised manner which demonstrates that Lean principles and techniques, when applied rigorously and throughout an entire organization/unit, they can have a positive impact on productivity, cost, quality, and timely delivery of services

Endeavor agility on consumption value through affirming an acceptable degree of utilization esteem for new items

Purpose: This comparative study holistically assesses the agility that turns into the standard of business and methods for progress. Design/Methodology/Approach: The contribution and the relevant methodology based on a duality of purposes. They are (i) quantitative research system that utilized to complete the investigation and (ii) both fundamental and auxiliary sources used to assemble information. Findings: Based on the holistically implied arguments and yielded results, it proposed that the writing audit results various parameters to clarify nimbleness and utilization esteems, which utilized to build a survey. At that point, the examination led to design a fitting example between use esteems and hidden agility measurements. Practical implications: Addressing to dual purposes, this study sheds new light on the Mallintercept method block strategy that utilized to gather reactions. Originality/Value: Although this study organically builds upon recent studies, this area gives a detail examination of the investigation. The survey has a field containing the segment profile of the respondents. This examination applies the utilization esteem model as the essential system, which incorporated the practical worth, the social worth, the passionate worth, the epistemic worth, and the restrictive worth.peer-reviewe

An Agile Quality Management System For Laboratory Developed Tests

ABSTRACT AN AGILE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR LABORATORY DEVELOPED TESTS By RITA D’ANGELO MAY 2017 Advisor: Dr. Ratna Babu Chinnan Major: Industrial & Systems Engineering Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Statement of the Problem: We explore the 2014 draft guidance by the FDA entitled Framework for Regulatory Oversight of Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) extended from the medical device industry and discuss how these requirements may be applicable to laboratory medicine. We introduce terms, definitions and provide a call for action for leaders to prepare for the potential adherence to regulatory requirements and explore if compliance was achievable in a laboratory environment to design, develop and validate Laboratory Developed Tests. If not, why not, and what would be the limiting steps. Method: We perform interviews with laboratory professionals to explore their concerns and challenges regarding the FDA draft guidance then translate the results into strategic factors. Based on the feedback, we surveyed laboratory experts in the field of LDT to develop and test strategic factors that would comprise an effective quality management system framework (QMS) to comply with the FDA proposal. We describe the methodology to translate the strategic factors into a design that would transform the existing laboratory structure into a regulatory quality management system. Conclusion: Nine interviewees and 35 survey respondents shared the importance of risk classification, process validation, patient safety and general ambiguity for the development of LDT. We utilize the top supporting statements and associated factors chosen by experts as extremely important for LDT development as the building blocks for implementation of a regulatory QMS framework. The framework includes six phases of implementation: 1) establishment of a leadership support structure, 2) training, 3) pre-assessment of current laboratory processes, 4) adoption of design control, 5) process controls, 6) process validation and the application of an agile Stage Gate technique for test development. Respondents agree that a regulatory agile quality management system is needed in laboratories that develop LDT. Utilizing the strategic factors, we develop a novel approach to LDT design, development and testing that extends the existing laboratory structure with a proven product development methodology technique called agile stage gate hybrid with the assignment of dedicated, accountable cross-functional teams for go/no-go approvals at every step and institute a coordinator position to review, document and expedite LDT development throughout the testing process

A component-based virtual engineering approach to PLC code generation for automation systems

In recent years, the automotive industry has been significantly affected by a number of challenges driven by globalisation, economic fluctuations, environmental awareness and rapid technological developments. As a consequence, product lifecycles are shortening and customer demands are becoming more diverse. To survive in such a business environment, manufacturers are striving to find a costeffective solution for fast and efficient development and reconfiguration of manufacturing systems to satisfy the needs of changing markets without losses in production. Production systems within automotive industry are vastly automated and heavily rely on PLC-based control systems. It has been established that one of the major obstacles in realising reconfigurable manufacturing systems is the fragmented engineering approach to implement control systems. Control engineering starts at a very late stage in the overall system engineering process and remains highly isolated from the mechanical design and build of the system. During this stage, control code is typically written manually in vendor-specific tools in a combination of IEC 61131-3 languages. Writing control code is a complex, time consuming and error-prone process. [Continues.

Modular assembly with postponement to improve health, safety & productivity in construction

This paper presents the outcome of an engineering study as part of the design and development of a lean and agile construction system and in particular its supply chain component. This combines modular assembly with a postponement function to be tested on a case study project (not reported here), the objective of which is to improve health, safety and productivity for the company sponsoring the research. The contribution to research is the combination of countermeasures described in this paper that have been developed and incorporated into a wider construction system, in the same way that manufacturing has used this strategy with great success. Also, a further output is the development and use of an innovative method for assembling, transporting and installing mechanical and electrical modules, whereby modularization can be achieved with or without offsite manufacturing capability. The research forecasts a reduction of onsite labor of 35% compared to using traditional methods of construction, with less onsite operatives at risk of injury carrying out simpler assembly tasks within ergonomic mobile work cells. Further research is proposed to measure the benefits of the construction system following its implementation on a case study project

Web service control of component-based agile manufacturing systems

Current global business competition has resulted in significant challenges for manufacturing and production sectors focused on shorter product lifecyc1es, more diverse and customized products as well as cost pressures from competitors and customers. To remain competitive, manufacturers, particularly in automotive industry, require the next generation of manufacturing paradigms supporting flexible and reconfigurable production systems that allow quick system changeovers for various types of products. In addition, closer integration of shop floor and business systems is required as indicated by the research efforts in investigating "Agile and Collaborative Manufacturing Systems" in supporting the production unit throughout the manufacturing lifecycles. The integration of a business enterprise with its shop-floor and lifecycle supply partners is currently only achieved through complex proprietary solutions due to differences in technology, particularly between automation and business systems. The situation is further complicated by the diverse types of automation control devices employed. Recently, the emerging technology of Service Oriented Architecture's (SOA's) and Web Services (WS) has been demonstrated and proved successful in linking business applications. The adoption of this Web Services approach at the automation level, that would enable a seamless integration of business enterprise and a shop-floor system, is an active research topic within the automotive domain. If successful, reconfigurable automation systems formed by a network of collaborative autonomous and open control platform in distributed, loosely coupled manufacturing environment can be realized through a unifying platform of WS interfaces for devices communication. The adoption of SOA- Web Services on embedded automation devices can be achieved employing Device Profile for Web Services (DPWS) protocols which encapsulate device control functionality as provided services (e.g. device I/O operation, device state notification, device discovery) and business application interfaces into physical control components of machining automation. This novel approach supports the possibility of integrating pervasive enterprise applications through unifying Web Services interfaces and neutral Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message communication between control systems and business applications over standard Ethernet-Local Area Networks (LAN's). In addition, the re-configurability of the automation system is enhanced via the utilisation of Web Services throughout an automated control, build, installation, test, maintenance and reuse system lifecycle via device self-discovery provided by the DPWS protocol...cont'd

The Agility-Control-Nexus: A Levers of Control Approach on the Consequences of Agility in Innovation Projects

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