Analysis reuse exploiting taxonomical information and belief assignment in industrial problem solving

To take into account the experience feedback on solving complex problems in business is deemed as a way to improve the quality of products and processes. Only a few academic works, however, are concerned with the representation and the instrumentation of experience feedback systems. We propose, in this paper, a model of experiences and mechanisms to use these experiences. More specifically, we wish to encourage the reuse of already performed expert analysis to propose a priori analysis in the solving of a new problem. The proposal is based on a representation in the context of the experience of using a conceptual marker and an explicit representation of the analysis incorporating expert opinions and the fusion of these opinions. The experience feedback models and inference mechanisms are integrated in a commercial support tool for problem solving methodologies. The results obtained to this point have already led to the definition of the role of ‘‘Rex Manager’’ with principles of sustainable management for continuous improvement of industrial processes in companies

Quality evaluation for Model-Driven Web Engineering methodologies

Context: There are lots of approaches or methodologies in the Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) context to develop Web Applications without reaching a consensus on the use of standards and scarcity of both, practical experience and tool support. Objective: Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) methodologies are constantly evolving. Moreover, Quality is a very important factor to identify within a methodology as it defines processes, techniques and artifacts to develop Web Applications. For this reason, when analyzing a methodology, it is not only necessary to evaluate quality, but also to find out how to improve it. The main goal of this paper is to develop a set of Quality Characteristics and Sub-Characteristics for MDWE approaches based on ISO/ IEC standards. Method: From the software products context, some widely standards proposed, such as ISO/IEC 9126 or ISO/IEC 25000, suggest a Quality Model for software products, although up to now, there are no standard methods to assess quality on MDWE methodologies. Such methodologies can be organized into Properties, thus, a methodology has artifacts, processes and techniques. Then, each item is evaluated through a set of appropriate Quality Characteristics, depending on its nature. This paper proposes to evaluate a methodology as a product itself. Results: This paper recommends a set of Quality Characteristics and Sub-Characteristics based on these standards in order to evaluate MDWE methodologies quality. Additionally, it defines an agile way to relate these Quality Sub-Characteristics to Properties with the sole purpose of not only analyzing, but also assessing and improving MDWE methodologies. Conclusions: The application of these Quality Characteristics and Sub-Characteristics could promote efficiency in methodologies since this kind of assessment enhances both the understanding of strengths and weaknesses of approaches.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2007-67843-C06-03Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2010-20057-C03-0

Integrated Decision Making in Global Supply Chains and Networks

One of the more visible and often controversial effects of globalization is the rising trend in global sourcing, commonly referred to as outsourcing, offshoring or offshore outsourcing. Today, many organizations experience the necessity of growing globally in order to remain profitable and competitive. This research focuses on the process that organizations undergo in making strategic decisions of whether or not to go offshore, and then on the location and volume of these offshore operations.This research considers the strategic decision of offshoring and sub-divides it into two components: analysis of monetary benefits and evaluation of intangible variables. In this research, these two components are integrated by developing an analytical decision approach that can incorporate quantitative and qualitative factors in a structure based on multiple solution methodologies. The decision approach developed consists of two phases which concurrently assess the offshoring decision by utilizing mixed integer programming and multi-attribute decision modeling, specifically using Analytic Network Process, followed by multi-objective optimization and tradeoff analysis. The decision approach is further enhanced by employing engineering economic tools such as life cycle costing and activity based costing. As a result, the approach determines optimal offshoring strategies and provides a framework to investigate the optimality of the decisions with changing parameters and priorities.The applicability, compliance and effectiveness of the developed integrated decision making approach is demonstrated on two real life cases in two different industry types. Through empirical studies, different dimensions of offshoring decisions are examined, classified and characterized within the framework of the developed decision approach. The solutions are evaluated by their value, level of support and relevance to the decision makers.The utilization of the developed systematic approach showed that counterintuitive decisions may sometimes be the best strategy.This study contributes to the literature with a comprehensive decision approach for determining the most advantageous offshoring location and distribution strategies by integrating multiple solution methodologies. This approach can be adapted in the corporate world as a tool to improve global vision

Experience in Social Affective Applications: Methodologies and Case Study

New forms of social affective applications are emerging, bringing with them challenges in design and evaluation. We report on one such application, conveying well-being for both personal and group benefit, and consider why existing methodologies may not be suitable, before explaining and analyzing our proposed approach. We discuss our experience of using and writing about the methodology, in order to invite discussion about its suitability in particular, as well as the more general need for methodologies to examine experience and affect in social, connected situations. As these fields continue to interact, we hope that these discussions serve to aid in studying and learning from these types of application

Software Reuse in Agile Development Organizations - A Conceptual Management Tool

The reuse of knowledge is considered a major factor for increasing productivity and quality. In the software industry knowledge is embodied in software assets such as code components, functional designs and test cases. This kind of knowledge reuse is also referred to as software reuse. Although the benefits can be substantial, software reuse has never reached its full potential. Organizations are not aware of the different levels of reuse or do not know how to address reuse issues. This paper proposes a conceptual management tool for supporting software reuse. Furthermore the paper presents the findings of the application of the management tool in an agile development organization

Towards a kansei-based user modeling methodology for eco-design

We propose here to highlight the benefits of building a framework linking Kansei Design (KD), User Centered Design (UCD) and Eco-design, as the correlation between these fields is barely explored in research at the current time. Therefore, we believe Kansei Design could serve the goal of achieving more sustainable products by setting up an accurate understanding of the user in terms of ecological awareness, and consequently enhancing performance in the Eco-design process. In the same way, we will consider the means-end chain approach inspired from marketing research, as it is useful for identifying ecological values, mapping associated functions and defining suitable design solutions. Information gathered will serve as entry data for conducting scenario-based design, and supporting the development of an Eco-friendly User Centered Design methodology (EcoUCD).ANR-ECOUS

Evaluation of a clinical decision support tool for matching cancer patients to clinical trials using simulation-based research

There is a growing need for alternative methodologies to evaluate digital health solutions in a short timeframe and at relatively low cost. Simulation-based research (SBR) methods have been proposed as an alternative methodology for evaluating digital health solutions; however, few studies have described the applicability of SBR methods to evaluate such solutions. This study used SBR to evaluate the feasibility and user experience of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool used for matching cancer patients to clinical trials. Twenty-five clinicians and research staff were recruited to match 10 synthetic patient cases to clinical trials using both the CDS tool and publicly available online trial databases. Participants were significantly more likely to report having sufficient time (p = 0.020) and to require less mental effort (p = 0.001) to complete trial matching with the CDS tool. Participants required less time for trial matching using the CDS tool, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.093). Most participants reported that they had sufficient guidance to participate in the simulations (96%). This study demonstrates the use of SBR methods is a feasible approach to evaluate digital health solutions and to collect valuable user feedback without the need for implementation in clinical practice. Further research is required to demonstrate the feasibility of using SBR to conduct remote evaluations of digital health solutions

An Experience of Game-Based Learning in Web Applications Development Courses

Preparing graduates for working in the software engineering industry is challenging and requires effective learning frameworks and methodologies. More specifically, the challenge of teaching programming languages and paradigms is a very complex task that needs innovative educational tools. This paper presents a game-based educational tool named eLiza, developed and used to support the teaching and learning of programming languages and paradigms related to the development of web applications. eLiza was initially developed as a Moodle-based web application because Moodle is the educational eLearning platform used at the University of Valladolid, but as the use of mobile devices is constantly increasing, Android and iOS versions were created later in order to facilitate the access of the students to the games. This paper describes the main elements and the mechanics in playing eLiza. And it also describes an experience of its use in two engineering courses related to web programming applications development, offered to students in two different engineering study programs at the University of Valladolid, during the academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. The great majority of the students, more than 75%, considered that the use of the eLiza game-based educational tool was positive to improve the teaching and learning process of the topics covered by the courses

A quality management based on the Quality Model life cycle

Managing quality is a hard and expensive task that involves the execution and control of processes and techniques. For a good quality management, it is important to know the current state and the objective to be achieved. It is essential to take into account with a Quality Model that specifies the purposes of managing quality. QuEF (Quality Evaluation Framework) is a framework to manage quality in MDWE (Model-driven Web Engineering). This paper suggests managing quality but pointing out the Quality Model life cycle. The purpose is to converge toward a quality continuous improvement by means of reducing effort and time.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TIN2010-20057-C03-02Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TIN 2010-12312-EJunta de Andalucía TIC-578

Supporting strategic cultural change: The Strathclyde learning technology initiative as a model

This paper describes the strategies being developed at the University of Strathclyde in response to the vision in the Dearing Report of a learning society in which Communication and Information Technology (C&IT) is central to students' learning experiences. The Strathclyde Learning Technology Initiative aims to support strategic change in the development and use of new learning technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of teaching and learning within the University. In order for a major cultural shift in teaching and learning to take effect there are three main areas that need to be addressed: (i) many academics still work within a traditional teaching framework and believe that these methods can simply be transferred to the Web, (ii) students who have been taught in a traditional teaching environment need support in acquiring new learning skills for an electronic learning environment, and (iii) new methods of learning and teaching can only be successfully integrated within the environment of a supporting infrastructure and institutional climate. These key elements are further explored, drawing on the lessons learned from the implementation of the Initiative, and suggestions are made for ways of surmounting the barriers to the uptake of C&IT perceived by academics