205,839 research outputs found
Early Quantitative Assessment of Non-Functional Requirements
Non-functional requirements (NFRs) of software systems are a well known source of uncertainty in effort estimation. Yet, quantitatively approaching NFR early in a project is hard. This paper makes a step towards reducing the impact of uncertainty due to NRF. It offers a solution that incorporates NFRs into the functional size quantification process. The merits of our solution are twofold: first, it lets us quantitatively assess the NFR modeling process early in the project, and second, it lets us generate test cases for NFR verification purposes. We chose the NFR framework as a vehicle to integrate NFRs into the requirements modeling process and to apply quantitative assessment procedures. Our solution proposal also rests on the functional size measurement method, COSMIC-FFP, adopted in 2003 as the ISO/IEC 19761 standard. We extend its use for NFR testing purposes, which is an essential step for improving NFR development and testing effort estimates, and consequently for managing the scope of NFRs. We discuss the advantages of our approach and the open questions related to its design as well
Ethical and Social Aspects of Self-Driving Cars
As an envisaged future of transportation, self-driving cars are being
discussed from various perspectives, including social, economical, engineering,
computer science, design, and ethics. On the one hand, self-driving cars
present new engineering problems that are being gradually successfully solved.
On the other hand, social and ethical problems are typically being presented in
the form of an idealized unsolvable decision-making problem, the so-called
trolley problem, which is grossly misleading. We argue that an applied
engineering ethical approach for the development of new technology is what is
needed; the approach should be applied, meaning that it should focus on the
analysis of complex real-world engineering problems. Software plays a crucial
role for the control of self-driving cars; therefore, software engineering
solutions should seriously handle ethical and social considerations. In this
paper we take a closer look at the regulative instruments, standards, design,
and implementations of components, systems, and services and we present
practical social and ethical challenges that have to be met, as well as novel
expectations for software engineering.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, 2 table
Qualitative software engineering research -- reflections and guidelines
Researchers are increasingly recognizing the importance of human aspects in
software development and since qualitative methods are used to, in-depth,
explore human behavior, we believe that studies using such techniques will
become more common.
Existing qualitative software engineering guidelines do not cover the full
breadth of qualitative methods and knowledge on using them found in the social
sciences. The aim of this study was thus to extend the software engineering
research community's current body of knowledge regarding available qualitative
methods and provide recommendations and guidelines for their use.
With the support of an epistemological argument and a literature review, we
suggest that future research would benefit from (1) utilizing a broader set of
research methods, (2) more strongly emphasizing reflexivity, and (3) employing
qualitative guidelines and quality criteria.
We present an overview of three qualitative methods commonly used in social
sciences but rarely seen in software engineering research, namely
interpretative phenomenological analysis, narrative analysis, and discourse
analysis. Furthermore, we discuss the meaning of reflexivity in relation to the
software engineering context and suggest means of fostering it.
Our paper will help software engineering researchers better select and then
guide the application of a broader set of qualitative research methods.Comment: 30 page
A framework for effective management of condition based maintenance programs in the context of industrial development of E-Maintenance strategies
CBM (Condition Based Maintenance) solutions are increasingly present in industrial systems due to two
main circumstances: rapid evolution, without precedents, in the capture and analysis of data and
significant cost reduction of supporting technologies. CBM programs in industrial systems can become
extremely complex, especially when considering the effective introduction of new capabilities provided
by PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) and E-maintenance disciplines. In this scenario, any CBM
solution involves the management of numerous technical aspects, that the maintenance manager needs
to understand, in order to be implemented properly and effectively, according to the company’s strategy.
This paper provides a comprehensive representation of the key components of a generic CBM solution,
this is presented using a framework or supporting structure for an effective management of the CBM
programs. The concept “symptom of failure”, its corresponding analysis techniques (introduced by ISO
13379-1 and linked with RCM/FMEA analysis), and other international standard for CBM open-software
application development (for instance, ISO 13374 and OSA-CBM), are used in the paper for the
development of the framework. An original template has been developed, adopting the formal structure
of RCM analysis templates, to integrate the information of the PHM techniques used to capture the failure
mode behaviour and to manage maintenance. Finally, a case study describes the framework using the
referred template.Gobierno de Andalucía P11-TEP-7303 M
Implementing 5D BIM on construction projects: Contractor perspectives from the UK construction sector
This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology on 09/05/2020: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2020-0007
The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research findings that sought to investigate and analyse salient issues on the implementation of 5D building information modelling (BIM) from the UK contractors’ perspective. Previous research and efforts have predominantly focussed on the use of technologies for cost estimation and quantity takeoff within a more traditional-led procurement, with a paucity of research focussing on how 5D BIM could facilitate costing within contractor-led procurement. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of the specific costing challenges faced by contractors in contractor-led projects, leading to the development of 5D framework for use in future projects.
Design/methodology/approach
To develop a fully detailed understanding of the challenges and issues being faced in this regard, a phenomenological, qualitative-based study was undertaken through interviews involving 21 participants from UK-wide construction organisations. A thematic data analytical process was applied to the data to derive key issues, and this was then used to inform the development of a 5D-BIM costing framework.
Findings
Multi-disciplinary findings reveal a range of issues faced by contractors when implementing 5D BIM. These exist at strategic, operational and technological levels which require addressing successful implementation of 5D BIM on contractor-led projects adhering to Level 2 BIM standards. These findings cut across the range of stakeholders on contractor-led projects. Ultimately, the findings suggest strong commitment and leadership from organisational management are required to facilitate cost savings and generate accurate cost information.
Practical implications
This study highlights key issues for any party seeking to effectively deploy 5D BIM on a contractor-led construction project. A considerable cultural shift towards automating and digitising cost functions virtually, stronger collaborative working relationship relative to costing in design development, construction practice, maintenance and operation is required.
Originality/value
By analysing findings from primary research data, the work concludes with the development of a 5D BIM costing framework to support contractor-led projects which can be implemented to ensure that 5D BIM is successfully implemented
Advanced Techniques for Assets Maintenance Management
16th IFAC Symposium on Information Control Problems in Manufacturing INCOM 2018
Bergamo, Italy, 11–13 June 2018. Edited by Marco Macchi, László Monostori, Roberto PintoThe aim of this paper is to remark the importance of new and advanced techniques supporting decision making in different business processes for maintenance and assets management, as well as the basic need of adopting a certain management framework with a clear processes map and the corresponding IT supporting systems. Framework processes and systems will be the key fundamental enablers for success and for continuous improvement. The suggested framework will help to define and improve business policies and work procedures for the assets operation and maintenance along their life cycle. The following sections present some achievements on this focus, proposing finally possible future lines for a research agenda within this field of assets management
Requirements engineering: a review and research agenda
This paper reviews the area of requirements engineering. It
outlines the key concerns to which attention should be
devoted by both practitioners, who wish to "reengineer" their
development processes, and academics, seeking intellectual
challenges. It presents an assessment of the state-of-the-art
and draws conclusions in the form of a research agenda
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