Modern software cybernetics: new trends

Software cybernetics research is to apply a variety of techniques from cybernetics research to software engineering research. For more than fifteen years since 2001, there has been a dramatic increase in work relating to software cybernetics. From cybernetics viewpoint, the work is mainly on the first-order level, namely, the software under observation and control. Beyond the first-order cybernetics, the software, developers/users, and running environments influence each other and thus create feedback to form more complicated systems. We classify software cybernetics as Software Cybernetics I based on the first-order cybernetics, and as Software Cybernetics II based on the higher order cybernetics. This paper provides a review of the literature on software cybernetics, particularly focusing on the transition from Software Cybernetics I to Software Cybernetics II. The results of the survey indicate that some new research areas such as Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, and even creative computing are related to Software Cybernetics II. The paper identifies the relationships between the techniques of Software Cybernetics II applied and the new research areas to which they have been applied, formulates research problems and challenges of software cybernetics with the application of principles of Phase II of software cybernetics; identifies and highlights new research trends of software cybernetic for further research

Modern software cybernetics: New trends

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Software cybernetics research is to apply a variety of techniques from cybernetics research to software engineering research. For more than fifteen years since 2001, there has been a dramatic increase in work relating to software cybernetics. From cybernetics viewpoint, the work is mainly on the first-order level, namely, the software under observation and control. Beyond the first-order cybernetics, the software, developers/users, and running environments influence each other and thus create feedback to form more complicated systems. We classify software cybernetics as Software Cybernetics I based on the first-order cybernetics, and as Software Cybernetics II based on the higher order cybernetics. This paper provides a review of the literature on software cybernetics, particularly focusing on the transition from Software Cybernetics I to Software Cybernetics II. The results of the survey indicate that some new research areas such as Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, and even creative computing are related to Software Cybernetics II. The paper identifies the relationships between the techniques of Software Cybernetics II applied and the new research areas to which they have been applied, formulates research problems and challenges of software cybernetics with the application of principles of Phase II of software cybernetics; identifies and highlights new research trends of software cybernetic for further research

Multicriteria decision making for enhanced perception-based multimedia communication

This paper proposes an approach that integrates technical concerns with user perceptual considerations for intelligent decision making in the construction of tailor-made multimedia communication protocols. Thus, the proposed approach, based on multicriteria decision making (MDM), incorporates not only classical networking considerations, but, indeed, user preferences as well. Furthermore, in keeping with the task-dependent nature consistently identified in multimedia scenarios, the suggested communication protocols also take into account the type of multimedia application that they are transporting. Lastly, this approach also opens the possibility for such protocols to dynamically adapt based on a changing operating environment and user’s preferences

Multicriteria decision making for enhanced perception-based multimedia communication

This paper proposes an approach that integrates technical concerns with user perceptual considerations for intelligent decision making in the construction of tailor-made multimedia communication protocols. Thus, the proposed approach, based on multicriteria decision making (MDM), incorporates not only classical networking considerations, but, indeed, user preferences as well. Furthermore, in keeping with the task-dependent nature consistently identified in multimedia scenarios, the suggested communication protocols also take into account the type of multimedia application that they are transporting. Lastly, this approach also opens the possibility for such protocols to dynamically adapt based on a changing operating environment and user's preferences

On the Concept of Flexibility: A Dual Control Perspective

Organizational flexibility has recently received much attention from researchers, management consultants and practitioners. In general, the term 'flexibility' has a positive connotation: flexible organizations are the better ones. However, the meaning of flexibility as well as its relation to the functioning of an organization is still ambiguous. This article develops a systematic and multidimensional picture of flexibility on the basis of views taken from the systems theory of control. The general idea is that flexibility can be analysed as a characteristic of some dual and relative control relation between the organization and its environment, which fosters organizational independence. It is argued that flexibility is a function of the control capability of the management as well as the controllability of the organization. Flexibility is thus concerned with the promotion of the management's control capability or competence. The management's ability to allocate and use this capacity with success, however, is dependent upon organizational conditions that determine the controllability. The organization design task, therefore, involves the creation of appropriate organizational conditions to foster flexibility. This article clarifies the paradoxical nature of flexibility and the existence of different types of flexibility. Copyrigh

Viable system model and the project management

The application of Viable System Model to project management structure has been hardly done in the literature. This research aims to fill the lack between the projects management and the analysis of VSM by using the guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK), sixth edition, as a diagnostic analysis tool for assessing the viability. The research is based on a modified Viable System Model for the analysis of systems. The research establishes how PMBOK can cover the requirements for an application of Viable System Model in the project management field. The research is focused on to determine the significance and potential use of PMBOK as a tool, which methodology might link Viable System Model and the project management.La aplicación del Modelo de Sistemas Viables a la estructura de la gestión de proyectos apenas se ha tratado en la literatura especializada. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo cubrir la falta existente entre la gestión de proyectos y el análisis del Modelo de Sistemas Viables. Para ello, se utiliza la Guía de los Fundamentos para la Dirección de Proyectos (PMBOK), sexta edición, como herramienta de análisis de la estimación de la viabilidad. La investigación llevada a cabo se basa en un Modelo de Sistemas Viables modificado para el análisis de sistemas, donde se establece cómo el PMBOK puede cubrir los requisitos de la aplicación del Modelo de Sistemas Viables en el campo de la gestión de proyectos. El trabajo presentado se centra en la relevancia y el uso del PMBOK como un instrumento que aspira a vincular ambos campos.Departamento de Organización de Empresas y Comercialización e Investigación de MercadosMáster en Dirección de Proyecto

Business Architecture Tool (BAT) : development and assessment of a systems framework to guide organisations from concept to delivery, in terms of creating deeper and meaningful integration across processes and functions

This thesis is based upon a prolonged research period, wherein a practical systems based tool (prototype), was researched, developed and tested, so as to gain outputs of integration improvements for service delivery in South Africa (SA) specifically, and in general for developmental economies. The research question can be summarised as: "to develop a systems-based intervention tool, able to provide practical integration improvements from concept to delivery". Existing systems methods and approaches were accessed, and based upon their utility for the local context, were used to varying degrees, in "building" the prototype, which was tested across a number of interventions, categorised under "world of the client"; and "world of the designer" (firm created for this purpose). Being aware of local and international implementation challenges by virtue of experience as consultant for a number of governments, whereby national planning and implementation techniques tend to be embed mechanistic models of thinking directly affecting how agents and agencies: understand the problem; plan to resolve the problem; and implement the designed solutions. The research sought to recover key systems insights in order to build a practical tool that could reduce negative outcomes, perpetrated by well-intended reforms, having limited integrative thinking, planning and delivery. The research required long-term observation, reflection, and extensive literature review. A distinctive feature of the research is the account of the author's exploration of his learning and development, within University of Cape Town PhD: Business Architecture embedded in complexity and systems theory