138,039 research outputs found

    Tiv-Model : an empirically validated design methodology for complex space systems

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    In response to emergent space systems engineering industry challenges, this thesis explored work on the following; 1. The development of engineering design methodologies, following a design process and proposing a baseline of requirements for new methodologies called the “Methodology Requirements Document”. 2. A new design engineering methodology called the “Tiv-Model”, which combines novel academic research into a space systems engineering life cycle model that addresses the emergent challenges. 3. A procedure for verifying and validating design models, based on an existing technique called the “Validation Square”, incorporated to boost the waning confidence industry drivers have of academic models. Through literature research, the Methodology Requirements Document is formed, and the TivModel is created with the aim of optimising the development of space systems. Its novel aspects include a model-based verification technique (called multi-perspective modelling), a focus on teachability for novice engineers and incorporation of other new academic findings, to utilise useful research. The verification and validation of the Tiv-Model is used as an example to create a procedure for academics to validate their own models. A combination of comparative benchmark studies and a focus group was used to continuously improve the model and drive it through the design process. The Tiv-Model rated better in student projects than its benchmark (V-Model) in 13 out of 24 survey categories in a t-test study, and underwent changes requested by industry veterans to finalise the model.In response to emergent space systems engineering industry challenges, this thesis explored work on the following; 1. The development of engineering design methodologies, following a design process and proposing a baseline of requirements for new methodologies called the “Methodology Requirements Document”. 2. A new design engineering methodology called the “Tiv-Model”, which combines novel academic research into a space systems engineering life cycle model that addresses the emergent challenges. 3. A procedure for verifying and validating design models, based on an existing technique called the “Validation Square”, incorporated to boost the waning confidence industry drivers have of academic models. Through literature research, the Methodology Requirements Document is formed, and the TivModel is created with the aim of optimising the development of space systems. Its novel aspects include a model-based verification technique (called multi-perspective modelling), a focus on teachability for novice engineers and incorporation of other new academic findings, to utilise useful research. The verification and validation of the Tiv-Model is used as an example to create a procedure for academics to validate their own models. A combination of comparative benchmark studies and a focus group was used to continuously improve the model and drive it through the design process. The Tiv-Model rated better in student projects than its benchmark (V-Model) in 13 out of 24 survey categories in a t-test study, and underwent changes requested by industry veterans to finalise the model

    Deferred Action: Theoretical model of process architecture design for emergent business processes

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    E-Business modelling and ebusiness systems development assumes fixed company resources, structures, and business processes. Empirical and theoretical evidence suggests that company resources and structures are emergent rather than fixed. Planning business activity in emergent contexts requires flexible ebusiness models based on better management theories and models . This paper builds and proposes a theoretical model of ebusiness systems capable of catering for emergent factors that affect business processes. Drawing on development of theories of the ‘action and design’class the Theory of Deferred Action is invoked as the base theory for the theoretical model. A theoretical model of flexible process architecture is presented by identifying its core components and their relationships, and then illustrated with exemplar flexible process architectures capable of responding to emergent factors. Managerial implications of the model are considered and the model’s generic applicability is discussed

    Software Sustainability: The Modern Tower of Babel

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    <p>The aim of this paper is to explore the emerging definitions of software sustainability from the field of software engineering in order to contribute to the question, what is software sustainability?</p

    Using protocol analysis to explore the creative requirements engineering process

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    Protocol analysis is an empirical method applied by researchers in cognitive psychology and behavioural analysis. Protocol analysis can be used to collect, document and analyse thought processes by an individual problem solver. In general, research subjects are asked to think aloud when performing a given task. Their verbal reports are transcribed and represent a sequence of their thoughts and cognitive activities. These verbal reports are analysed to identify relevant segments of cognitive behaviours by the research subjects. The analysis results may be cross-examined (or validated through retrospective interviews with the research subjects). This paper offers a critical analysis of this research method, its approaches to data collection and analysis, strengths and limitations, and discusses its use in information systems research. The aim is to explore the use of protocol analysis in studying the creative requirements engineering process.<br /

    Assessing digital preservation frameworks: the approach of the SHAMAN project

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    How can we deliver infrastructure capable of supporting the preservation of digital objects, as well as the services that can be applied to those digital objects, in ways that future unknown systems will understand? A critical problem in developing systems is the process of validating whether the delivered solution effectively reflects the validated requirements. This is a challenge also for the EU-funded SHAMAN project, which aims to develop an integrated preservation framework using grid-technologies for distributed networks of digital preservation systems, for managing the storage, access, presentation, and manipulation of digital objects over time. Recognising this, the project team ensured that alongside the user requirements an assessment framework was developed. This paper presents the assessment of the SHAMAN demonstrators for the memory institution, industrial design and engineering and eScience domains, from the point of view of user’s needs and fitness for purpose. An innovative synergistic use of TRAC criteria, DRAMBORA risk registry and mitigation strategies, iRODS rules and information system models requirements has been designed, with the underlying goal to define associated policies, rules and state information, and make them wherever possible machine-encodable and enforceable. The described assessment framework can be valuable not only for the implementers of this project preservation framework, but for the wider digital preservation community, because it provides a holistic approach to assessing and validating the preservation of digital libraries, digital repositories and data centres

    Organization of Multi-Agent Systems: An Overview

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    In complex, open, and heterogeneous environments, agents must be able to reorganize towards the most appropriate organizations to adapt unpredictable environment changes within Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Types of reorganization can be seen from two different levels. The individual agents level (micro-level) in which an agent changes its behaviors and interactions with other agents to adapt its local environment. And the organizational level (macro-level) in which the whole system changes it structure by adding or removing agents. This chapter is dedicated to overview different aspects of what is called MAS Organization including its motivations, paradigms, models, and techniques adopted for statically or dynamically organizing agents in MAS.Comment: 12 page
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