A rapid simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers

In recent years, simulation modelling of software processes have has promoted as a tool to understand, study, control, and manage software development processes. Claims have been made that simulation models are useful and effective at gaining insight into software development processes. However, little has been said about the process of developing simulation models for software engineering problems. Simulation modelling is a young discipline in software engineering. Consequently, many number software process simulation modellers are thought to be novices. The simulation modelling process is believed to have had an effect on the quality of a simulation study. Although there is a body of knowledge available in the general simulation literature to guide and educate novices, the software process simulation modelling literature lacks information for novice software process simulation modellers to understand and adopt a simulation modelling process. This thesis aims to develop a simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers. This thesis reports how the development and evaluation of a simulation modelling process for novice software process simulation modellers. The rapid simulation modelling process (RSMP) is based on an empirical study of the contexts and practices of expert simulation modellers in SPSM and Operational Research (OR). The RSMP is intended to be independent of a particular simulation technique (i. e. system dynamics or discrete event simulation) and guides novice software process simulation modellers through a set of steps that should be undertaken during a simulation study; the RSMP emphasises heavy client contact and provides guidelines for model documentation. The RSMP has been evaluated through controlled experiments with novice software process simulation modellers using system dynamics (SD) modelling. In the future, it will be further evaluated with software process simulation modellers using discrete event simulation. The RSMP has also been evaluated with a panel of expert software process simulation modellers. The main contribution of this study lies in providing novice software process simulation modellers with a simulation modelling process, which embodies real world simulation practice and is intended to be independent of a particular simulation technique

Horizontal Cooperation in Transport and Logistics.

This thesis deals with horizontal cooperation in transport and logistics. It contains a comprehensive discussion of the available academic literature on this topic, many practical examples, and an empirical investigation of opportunities and impediments. Furthermore, three enabling concepts for horizontal cooperation in transport and logistics are developed. The analysis is practice oriented in the sense that most of the results are based on real-life datasets. In case studies conducted, the most important goal is to learn lessons that are also applicable to other cases or industries. By contrast, in chapters that have a more theoretical point of departure, efforts are made to draw conclusions that are directly applicable in practice. Many different research techniques are used in this thesis. They include case study analysis, surveys, exploratory factor analysis, regression, game theory, vehicle routing heuristics, and facility location heuristics.

Marine Aggregate Dredging: A New Regional Approach to Environmental Monitoring

The subject of this thesis is the marine aggregate dredging industry, and specifically the approach taken to the monitoring of environmental effects on the seabed. The thesis forms the evidence required to allow the author to be examined for a PhD by Publication, and comprises of a list of the author’s publications, a confirmation of the author’s contribution to the multi-authored papers, and a critical analysis of the published work. The critical analysis takes the form of an essay, in which a case for switching to a new system of environmental monitoring is outlined. The essay presents a logical development of ideas, starting with a description of the aggregates dredging industry. This is followed by a critical analysis of the author’s past research, with a particular emphasis on how the findings from this work are relevant to the issue of monitoring. This earlier work has addressed themes of: Impact (Cumulative Effects), The Relationship between Sediments and Benthos, Recovery, Restoration, Habitat Mapping and Natural Variability. The essay then describes the current approach to monitoring, together with its limitations. This is followed by a description of the new monitoring approach, with an explanation of why it is considered more suitable for meeting the needs of both the industry and the industry regulators. The essay considers what steps would need to be taken to implement the approach in the major dredging regions of the UK

Evaluating a rapid simulation modelling process (RSMP) through controlled experiments

Peer reviewe

Fouling and accumulation of dissolved organic matter in membrane bioreactors

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Abstracts of papers presented at the 33rd Foodscience and Technology Research Conference, University College, Cork

peer-reviewe

Aeronautical engineering: A cumulative index to a continuing bibliography (supplement 248)

This publication is a cumulative index to the abstracts contained in Supplements 236 through 247 of Aeronautical Engineering: A Continuing Bibliography. The bibliographic series is compiled through the cooperative efforts of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Seven indexes are included -- subject, personal author, corporate source, foreign technology, contract number, report number and accession number