Risk management framework in Agile software development methodology

In software projects that use the Agile methodology, the focus is on development in small iterations to allow both frequent changes and client involvement. This methodology affects the risks that may happen in Agile software projects. Hence, these projects need a clear risk management process to reduce risks and address the problems before they arise. Most software production methodologies must use a framework for risk management, but currently, there is no such framework for the Agile methodology. Therefore, we present a risk management framework for projects that use the Agile methodology to help the software development process and increase the likelihood of the project’s success. The proposed framework states the necessary measures for risk management according to the ISO31000 standard at each stage of the Agile methodology. We evaluated the proposed framework in two running software projects with an Agile methodology by a number of expert experts. The results show that using our proposed framework increases the average positive risk reaction score by 49%

The Modified Energy-based Method for Seismic Evaluation of Structural Systems with Different Hardening Ratios and Deterioration Hysteresis Models

Prediction of target displacement in structural systems plays a significant role in performance-based design and rehabilitation of structures. In this study, the γ factor for different hardening ratios, including 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 percentages, stiffness-strength-deterioration models, and soil type classes is determined to modify the energy balance equation in performance-based plastic design (PBPD). Statistical results indicate that the effect of the hardening ratio, deterioration, and soil type class on the capacity curve is considerable. Therefore, a simple equation based on the period of the vibration and ductility is suggested to estimate the γ factor in different structural systems. Moreover, four 1-, 3-, 7-, and 12-story moment steel structures with various hardening ratios in the material are designed to validate the proposed method. The suggested values for the γ factor show exact results compared to collected displacements from time history analysis, while the error in the previous work was considerable. Statistical results showed that the mean error in the previous method in estimating target displacement for 1-, 3-. 7-, and 12-story structures is about 15%, 20%, 20%, and 32%, respectively. Conversely, the mean error in this study for estimating target displacement of 1-, 3-. 7-, and 12-story structures is about 10%, 7%, 6%, and 15%, respectively. Finally, the proposed method is examined on the empirical reinforced concrete (RC) bridge pier simulated numerically with fiber-based modeling. Similarly, the suggested equation estimates the target displacement appropriately for the concrete model compared to achieved displacements from nonlinear dynamic analysis

Design of a Terahertz Leaky-Wave Long-Slot Antenna Using Graphene

In this paper, a novel graphene-based leaky-wave antenna is presented. The frequency of the proposed antenna is in the terahertz range, and it is composed of a straight long slot covered with a graphene sheet. To tune the leakage constant along the slot, DC voltage biases are applied using gating pads. A transverse equivalent network model that includes the graphene slot structure is also presented. A design procedure for a lossy structure leaky-wave antenna with an unknown loss value is proposed. The antenna is designed and simulated in HFSS and CST software. An interesting feature of this antenna is the ability to control its radiation characteristics across its entire working frequency range through graphene conductivity tunability with DC voltage bias