A data-driven approach for a project management methodology for R&D Projects.

267 p.The thesis is based on the proposal of an R&D project management methodology based on the Earned Quality Method (EQM) and data analysis to improve the efficiency of R&D projects in a near-real production environment in a TRL 5 to 7. The thesis relies upon published papers that propose measuring and improving the management of R&D projects. The methodology leans on the formulation and gradual and recurrent evaluation of quality criteria as a performance indicator of the work carried out. The thesis stands on the concept that quality is a measurable quantity that accumulates throughout the project. The proposed project management methodology is built on three main aspects: Collaboration between the University and Industry; The correct interpretation of the TRL where research projects are developed; The study of different metrics for project management, such as the measurement of the success of projects, the KPIs of a project-based organisation, and the EQM. The methodology has been tested with three actual use cases with different characteristics in terms of project size, funding and team members; and validated on an R&D Centre in Advanced Manufacturing in Aeronautics. The pillars of the thesis are focused on the analysis of the mentioned components and their integration for the development of a methodology to improve the efficiency in the use of resources and the quality of obtained results in the R&D projects' framework. The key findings of these studies demonstrate the effectiveness of using quality criteria for measuring progress in the management of R&D projects, as well as providing a better understanding of several critical aspects of the realisation of these projects

Affordable identification and modelling of uncertain design specifications when introducing new technologies in space applications

When introducing new technologies in space products, both the uncertainties regarding technology feasibility and the way in which the technology affects the product development process hinder the early establishment of appropriate engineering specifications. Failing to establish product specifications during conceptual stages leads to problems discovered during later phases of the product development process, when design and process changes are the most expensive.This thesis proposes a digital holistic design platform and a method of constraints replacement for a cost- and time-efficient identification of specification uncertainties when designing space products with new technologies. The digital platform and methods have been developed and tested through industrial case studies featuring the introduction of new technologies for on-orbit applications. Most of these studies were performed in the context of, but are not limited to, the introduction of additive manufacturing.The platform and proposed constraints replacement method are based on function modeling strategies (for modeling product architecture and requirements during conceptual design phases), coupled with activity modeling strategies (for modeling the impact of product architecture on product development schedules and costs). The platform and method enable the identification and assessment of unknown uncertainties, thereby reducing the likelihood of expensive redesign processes during later development phases.Moreover, they enable the inclusion of multidisciplinary design trade-offs during conceptual stages and encourage the establishment of a culture of uncertainty seeking and effective data documentation and transfer

Does Product Market Competition Decrease Employers’ Training Investments? – Evidence from German Establishment Panel Data

Using a large panel data set of German manufacturing establishments, this paper investigates the impact of competition on training incidence as well as on the number of trained workers. According to theory, one would expect a negative relationship between product market competition and firms’ incentives to invest in employees’ general skills (Gersbach and Schmutzler 2006). In our empirical analysis, product market competition is approximated by various measures of competition such as the Herfindahl Index, the number of firms at the 3-digit industry level and the price cost margin. After controlling for unobserved heterogeneity across industries and establishments, there is no significant effect of competition on training. This result is robust towards different samples, model specifications and estimation techniques.Training, human capital, product market competition

Future visions of adult education centers - SoMe times?

Siirretty Doriast

Projeto de parâmetros robustos para modelagem e otimização de sistemas kanban: uma abordagem baseada em experimentos simulados

Inventory control impacts the flow of the production process, customer service and cost. To improve this management, many companies use the concept of kanban, which has the purpose of programming and controlling production visually. However, few studies in the literature make use of a systematic method for its optimization, and it is also possible to observe in industrial environments, the use of Toyota's traditional formula, considering the demand levelly. Therefore, this work was developed with the objective of proposing an approach to optimize kanban systems using the Robust Parameters Design, through simulated experiments. This strategy is based on the calculation of the safety stock to determine the experimental planning, seeking to achieve the desired service level. Then, the simulation is executed with the experimental planning data in the simulated model, considering the daily random variation of demand over 30 days, with the quantity of kanban not delivered and the number of kanban in stock recorded at the end. From these data mathematical models that take into account the mean and variance are constructed, so that the robust optimization for the dimensioning of the supermarket can be obtained through the Mean Square Error (MSE). To prove the applicability of the proposed method, the procedure was tested in two different cases in the literature, Tubino (2007) and Hurrion (1997). For the modeling of the optimization functions, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used, being mathematically programmed using the MSE. The weighted approach (MSEP) was also applied as an additional technique to achieve better results in relation to robust optimization. Therefore, the proposed approach was developed and applied satisfactorily in both cases in the literature, leading to optimal results in relation to the objectives of robust optimization. It was also possible to make a comparison between the proposed approach and the results achieved with the optimizer of the Arena® simulation software, OptQuest®, thus demonstrating that the method proposed in this work obtained better results with regard to robustness.Agência 1O controle de estoque impacta no fluxo do processo produtivo, no atendimento ao cliente e no custo. Para melhorar esta gestão, muitas empresas utilizam o conceito do kanban, que tem a finalidade de programar e controlar a produção visualmente. Todavia, poucos estudos da literatura fazem uso de um método sistemático para sua otimização, sendo também possível observar em ambientes industriais, o uso da fórmula tradicional da Toyota, considerando a demanda de forma nivelada. Logo, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de propor uma abordagem para otimização de sistemas kanban com o uso do Projeto de Parâmetros Robustos, por meio de experimentos simulados. Tal estratégia tem como princípio o cálculo do estoque de segurança para determinar o planejamento experimental, buscando atingir o nível de serviço desejado. Em seguida, ocorre a execução da simulação com os dados do planejamento experimental no modelo simulado, considerando a variação aleatória diária de demanda ao longo de 30 dias, sendo registrado ao final a quantidade de kanban não entregue e o número de kanban em estoque. A partir desses dados, modelos matemáticos que levam em consideração a média e a variância são construídos, de maneira que a otimização robusta para o dimensionamento do supermercado possa ser obtida por meio do Erro Quadrático Médio (EQM). Para comprovar a aplicabilidade do método proposto, o procedimento foi testado em dois diferentes casos da literatura. Para a modelagem das funções de otimização utilizou-se a Metodologia de Superfície de Resposta, sendo estas matematicamente programadas empregando o EQM. A abordagem ponderada (EQMP) também foi aplicada como uma técnica adicional para se atingir melhores resultados em relação à otimização robusta. Assim sendo, a abordagem proposta foi desenvolvida e aplicada satisfatoriamente nos dois casos da literatura, levando a resultados ótimos em relação aos objetivos da otimização robusta. Também foi possível fazer uma comparação entre a abordagem proposta e os resultados atingidos com o otimizador do software de simulação Arena®, o OptQuest®, demonstrando assim que o método proposto neste trabalho obteve melhores resultados no que diz respeito à robustez

The complex adoption pathways of digital technology in Australian livestock supply chains systems

This paper reviews early experiences, expectations and obstacles concerning the adoption of digital technologies in Australian livestock systems. Using three case studies of publicly-available information on Australia’s red meat industry, we identify the process of digitally enhanced value creation according to four themes: (1) supply chain operability; (2) product quality; (3) animal welfare; and (4) innovation and learning. We find reasons for both optimism and pessimism concerning the adoption of digital agriculture. While digital technology is being offered by various stakeholders to support collaboration within supply chains, it is also being met with scepticism amongst some producers who are not actively engaging with a digital transformation. We identify that the ‘technology fallacy’, which proposes that organisations, people, learning and processes are as important to digital transformation as the technology itself; but while digital technologies enable change, it is the people who determine how quickly it can occur. We argue that – since quality appears to be the major basis on which Australian red meat producers will compete in global markets – the broad adoption of digital technology will prove increasingly essential to future growth and sustainability of this supply chain