Implementering av Agile Prosjektledelsesmetoder i et Brønnintervensjons-selskap

Prosjekter blir gradvis mer komplekse med et høyere antall oppgaver og kompleks gjensidig avhengighet. Feltet prosjektledelse må håndtere en økende grad av endring, noe som gjør den tradisjonelle tilnærmingen til prosjektledelse mindre og mindre egnet for dagens prosjekter. Agile metoder fra software samfunnet tilbyr en ny måte å tenke på og er spesielt designet for å omfavne kompleksitet og endring. Følgende har bruken av Scrum eskalert det siste tiåret og har begynt å spre seg til andre bransjer. Denne oppgaven er skrevet i samarbeid med et brønntjenesteselskap i norsk olje- og gassindustri. Til tross for positive resultater fra tidlige piloter, har tunge næringsindustrier som olje- og gassindustrien i stor grad holdt tilbake fra den agile revolusjonen. Hensikten med denne oppgaven er å skape et teoretisk overblikk over Scrum og dens rammeverk, samt undersøke hvordan Scrum er implementert i bransjer utenfor softwareutvikling. Deretter kartlegges selskapets nåværende praksis gjennom møter og intervjuer, og utfordringer identifiseres. Intervjuene, Scrum-rammeverket og forskningen fra tidligere implementeringer brukes sammen med funnene om dagens praksis til å foreslå en måte å implementere Scrum i selskapet. Til slutt diskuteres det hvordan Scrum kan forbedre den nåværende prosessen med planlegging og gjennomføring av brønnintervensjonstjenester. Resultatene fra oppgaven har funnet at selskapet står overfor utfordringer knyttet til omfangsendring, gjensidig avhengighet mellom prosjekter og organisasjon. En tradisjonell tilnærming kan ikke håndtere endringer og gjensidig avhengighet i den grad selskapet står overfor. Operations Supervisorene beskriver at en betydelig del av arbeidet som er gjort i forbindelse med planlegging og oppfølging av en operasjon, håndterer endringer. I tillegg inkluderer ikke modellen selskapet bruker for planlegging og gjennomføring en tilfredsstillende mulighet til å forbedre arbeidsprosessene. Imidlertid har den tradisjonelle tilnærmingen noen fordeler som passer selskapet i form av standardisering og linearitet. Den foreslåtte løsningen for implementering av Scrum er å beholde den tradisjonelle modellen som brukes i dag og implementere Scrum i den operasjonelle prosessen for å levere tjenester. Ved å starte med et pilotteam tilpasses rammeverket til selskapet før man vurderer en storskala implementering. Det er ikke behov for store tilpasninger fra dagens praksis med denne løsningen. Teamet vil jobbe som før, men Sprint med tilhørende hendelser vil bli innlemmet som et tillegg. Det er noen utfordringer med den nåværende løsningen når det gjelder klientengasjement og teamsammensetning, for å nevne noen få. Scrum-rammeverket gir en mulighet for empirisk læring som forbedrer planleggings- og gjennomføringsprosessen kontinuerlig. Dette fører til en langsom og jevn fjerning av hindringer som øker produktiviteten. Implementering av et tverrfunksjonelt Scrum-team kan føre til et høyere fokus og mindre distraksjoner når det gjelder bytte mellom prosjekter. Siloer fjernes, og å fullføre oppgavene knyttet til en operasjon er nå en teaminnsats. Ukentlige Sprints får laget til å planlegge den kommende uken, som skal strukturere arbeidsuken. Hver Sprint vil gi empirisk læring og historisk datainnsamling. Denne læringen kan føre til en mer forutsigbar arbeidsuke, reduksjon i omfangsendring og gjensidig avhengighet, samt forbedring av interne utfordringer knyttet til organisasjonen.Projects are progressively becoming more complex with a higher number of tasks and complex interrelations.The field of project management must manage an increasing degree of change, which makes the traditional approach to project management less and less suitable to the projects of today. Agile methodologies from the software community offers a new way of thinking and is specifically designed to embrace complexity and change. Following, the use of Scrum has escalated in the last decade and has begun to spread to other industries. This study is written in collaboration with a well service company in the Norwegian Oil & Gas industry. Despite great promise from early pilots, heavy-asset industries such as the Oil & Gas industry have to a great extent held back from the agile revolution. The purpose of this thesis is to create a theoretical overview over Scrum and its framework and research how Scrum has been implemented in domains outside software development. Then, the company’s current practice is mapped out through meetings and interviews, and challenges are identified. The interviews, Scrum framework and the research on previous implementations are used together with the findings on today’s practice to propose a way to implement Scrum in the company. Ultimately, it is discussed how Scrum can improve the current process of planning and execution of well intervention services. The results of the study have found that the company faces challenges related to scope change, interdependence between projects and organisation. A traditional approach cannot handle changes and interdependencies to the degree that the company is facing. Operations Supervisors describe that a significant part of the work done in relation to planning and following up an operation is handling changes. In addition, the model the company uses for planning and execution does not include a satisfactory opportunity to improve work processes. However, the traditional approach has some benefits that suits the company in form of standardisation and linearity. The suggested solution for implementation of Scrum is to keep the traditional model used today and implement Scrum to the operational process for delivering services. By starting with a pilot team, the framework is adjusted to the company before considering a large-scale implementation. There is no need for large adaptations from the current practice with this solution. The team will work as before, but the Sprint with its events will be incorporated as an addition. There are some challenges with the current solution in terms of client involvement and team composition to mention a few. The Scrum framework provides an opportunity for empirical learning which improves the planning and execution process continuously. This leads to a slow and steady removal of impediments which increases productivity. Implementing a cross-functional Scrum team can lead to higher focus and less distractions in terms of switching between projects. Silos are removed, and completing the tasks related to an operation is now a team effort. Weekly Sprints makes the team plan their upcoming week, which will structure the work week. Each Sprint will provide empirical learning and historical data-gathering. This learning can lead to a more predictable work week, a reduction in scope change and interdependence, as well as improving internal challenges related to the organisation

Reassessment of the Norwegian wool value chain using circular economic principles

In this thesis we have followed Norwegian wool from extraction and throughout the current value chain. This includes a farmer, wool stations, and wool refineries. In addition, we have sourced empirical data from key stakeholders. This consists of a representative from Norilia and a researcher that has contributed greatly to the theme of Norwegian wool. Through an exploratory research design, we have been able to enter a field of study without prior knowledge. This has also allowed for incremental implementation of knowledge towards later empirical sourcing. The theory in the thesis concerns wool as a material, focusing mainly on Norwegian low-category wool, but also includes global perspectives. It also provides theory on circular economy concerning definitions, circular economy perspectives in value chains and the applicability of circular economy. We have applied the 4Rs of circular economy to reassess the value chain, as a means to uncover potential alternatives to the current system. We believe that circular economy principles can contribute to increased value creation for low-category wool. This entails innovative measures that prevent waste, secure valuable resources inherent in the wool and plan for future use. The thesis contains examples on alternative uses and processing techniques. These examples explain how conventional methods can be challenged in new ways with improved results. Rather than an addition to the theory of circular economy, this is an attempt to use aspects of circular economy to add to the field that concerns Norwegian low-category wool. The thesis attempts to shine a new light on an established system and challenge its ways. The degree of transferability to other fields is therefore present. We have built upon the work, but not limited to, by Kirchherr on the circular economy, and the work that has been conducted in KRUS and VerdifULL. The process has been an eye opener for us as wool has such a broad range of applicabilities. The same can be said for the circular economy principles. We hope that this thesis is of interest and gives you, the reader, fruitful takeaways

​​Reassessment of the Norwegian wool value chain using circular economic principles

Summary In this thesis we have followed Norwegian wool from extraction and throughout the current value chain. This includes a farmer, wool stations, and wool refineries. In addition, we have sourced empirical data from key stakeholders. This consists of a representative from Norilia and a researcher that has contributed greatly to the theme of Norwegian wool. Through an exploratory research design, we have been able to enter a field of study without prior knowledge. This has also allowed for incremental implementation of knowledge towards later empirical sourcing. The theory in the thesis concerns wool as a material, focusing mainly on Norwegian low-category wool, but also includes global perspectives. It also provides theory on circular economy concerning definitions, circular economy perspectives in value chains and the applicability of circular economy. We have applied the 4Rs of circular economy to reassess the value chain, as a means to uncover potential alternatives to the current system. We believe that circular economy principles can contribute to increased value creation for low-category wool. This entails innovative measures that prevent waste, secure valuable resources inherent in the wool and plan for future use. The thesis contains examples on alternative uses and processing techniques. These examples explain how conventional methods can be challenged in new ways with improved results. Rather than an addition to the theory of circular economy, this is an attempt to use aspects of circular economy to add to the field that concerns Norwegian low-category wool. The thesis attempts to shine a new light on an established system and challenge its ways. The degree of transferability to other fields is therefore present. We have built upon the work, but not limited to, by Kirchherr on the circular economy, and the work that has been conducted in KRUS and VerdifULL. The process has been an eye opener for us as wool has such a broad range of applicabilities. The same can be said for the circular economy principles. We hope that this thesis is of interest and gives you, the reader, fruitful takeaways. Sammendrag I denne avhandlingen har vi fulgt materialet norsk ull fra ekstraksjon og gjennom den nåværende verdikjeden. Vi har vært i kontakt med en bonde, ullstasjoner og ullraffinerier. I tillegg har vi generert data fra nøkkelinformanter: en representant fra Norilia, og en forsker som har bidratt til vitenskap om norsk ull i stor grad. Gjennom et eksplorativt forskningsdesign, har vi gått inn i et felt uten forkunnskap. Dette har muliggjort en inkrementell implementasjon av kunnskap gjennom den empiriske utviklingen. Teorigrunnlaget for avhandlingen handler om ull som materiale, med særlig fokus på norsk ull av lavere kategorier, men vi inkluderer også et globalt perspektiv. Det inneholder også teori om sirkulærøkonomi, dets definisjoner, sirkulære verdikjeder, og praktisk anvendelse. Vi har brukt de fire R-ene i sirkulærøkonomi som rammeverk i vår gjennomgang av ullas verdikjede, for å avdekke potensielle alternativer til det nåværende systemet. Vi mener at sirkulærøkonomiske prinsipper kan bidra til økt verdiskapning for lav-kategorisk ull. Dette innbefatter innovative tiltak som reduserer avfall, sikrer verdifulle ressurser i ulla, og en bedre planlegging for fremtidig bruk. Avhandlingen inneholder eksempler på alternativ bruk av lav-kategori ull og ulike prosesseringsteknikker. Disse eksemplene forklarer hvordan konvensjonelle metoder kan bli utfordret på nye måter, og gi bedre resultater. Heller enn å være et tilskudd til teorien om sirkulærøkonomi, er dette et forsøk på benytte aspekter innen sirkulærøkonomi for å bidra til feltet som handler om norsk ull av lavere kategorier. Avhandlingen forsøker å kaste nytt lys på et etablert system, og utfordre det. Graden av overførbarhet til andre felt er til stede. Vi har bygget på arbeidet til, men ikke begrenset til, Kirchherr på sirkulærøkonomi, samt arbeidet som er gjort i prosjektene KRUS og VerdifUll. Prosessen har vært en øyeåpner når det gjelder kartlegging av de mange anvendelsesmulighetene for ull. Det samme kan hevdes når det gjelder å bruke sirkulærøkonomiske prinsipper for å gjennomgå etablerte verdikjeder. Vi håper denne avhandlingen er interessant, og gir deg, leseren, nyttig læring

A Comparison of Children’s Reading on Paper Versus Screen: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examines the inconsistent findings across experimental studies that compared children’s learning outcomes with digital and paper books. We quantitatively reviewed 39 studies reported in 30 articles (n = 1,812 children) and compared children’s story comprehension and vocabulary learning in relation to medium (reading on paper versus on-screen), design enhancements in digital books, the presence of a dictionary, and adult support for children aged between 1 and 8 years. The comparison of digital versus paper books that only differed by digitization showed lower comprehension scores for digital books. Adults’ mediation during print books’ reading was more effective than the enhancements in digital books read by children independently. However, with story-congruent enhancements, digital books outperformed paper books. An embedded dictionary had no or negative effect on children’s story comprehension but positively affected children’s vocabulary learning. Findings are discussed in relation to the cognitive load theory and practical design implications.publishedVersio

Say it’s fantastic or say nothing at all: Effects of feedback on consumers’ satisfaction with the outcome of co-production

Participation in co-production is essential for consumers to ensure successful service outcomes. To ensure a satisfying service outcome, service providers offer consumers feedback on their task performance. This study contributes to a better understanding on how positive face-to-face feedback can drive consumers’ satisfaction. More knowledge of how feedback from service employees drives consumers’ satisfaction will help the service industry design, customize, and deliver meaningful experience-based products. By drawing on the self-presentation theory, in two experiments we tested how face-to-face feedback influence consumers´ satisfaction with the outcome of task performance. Our analysis showed that satisfaction with self-produced outcome were lower when participants’ was aware of others during co-production. Furthermore, participants’ were more satisfied when they received positive face-to-face feedback about the outcome of their own task performance than positive face-to-face feedback on the process underlying task performance.acceptedVersio

A Systematic Scoping Review on Research Focusing on Professionals’ Attitudes toward School Attendance Problems

This systematic scoping review was conducted to determine the extent of existing research on professionals’ attitudes toward school attendance problems (SAPs), including school refusal (SR), truancy (TR), school withdrawal (SW), and school exclusion (SE), in basic education. Five databases (ERIC, Academic Search Ultimate, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were systematically searched for relevant literature. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria that were set prior to the search and were eligible for inclusion. The results of this systematic scoping review reveal that there has been a continuous increase in studies addressing professionals’ attitudes toward SAPs since 2000, with the greatest number of studies published after 2019 and in Europe. Most studies were descriptive, cross-sectional, and used a qualitative approach and the most common informants were school-based professionals (i.e., teachers, school administrators, and other school staff). The included studies used a variety of concepts referring to SAPs and types of SAPs, underlining the present challenges in terminology and definitions that characterize the research field. The results of this review contribute to identifying gaps in knowledge and offer guidelines for future research as a prerequisite to enhance the contemporary comprehension of SAPs in research and in practice.publishedVersio

Stochastic Sequential Model Predictive Control for Operating Buffer Reservoir in Hjartdøla Hydropower System under Uncertainty

This study focuses on demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of the Stochastic Sequential Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework within the context of the Hjartdøla hydropower system. Multistage MPC, while effective in managing uncertainty, poses challenges due to its high computational demands and complex optimal control problems, particularly in applications requiring long-term forecasting, such as hydropower systems. Through a comparative simulation study with multistage MPC, this paper highlights the superior feasibility and computational speed of the Stochastic Sequential MPC framework. This work contributes to the broader understanding of MPC applications in hydropower systems

A Comparison of Children’s Reading on Paper Versus Screen: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examines the inconsistent findings across experimental studies that compared children’s learning outcomes with digital and paper books. We quantitatively reviewed 39 studies reported in 30 articles (n = 1,812 children) and compared children’s story comprehension and vocabulary learning in relation to medium (reading on paper versus on-screen), design enhancements in digital books, the presence of a dictionary, and adult support for children aged between 1 and 8 years. The comparison of digital versus paper books that only differed by digitization showed lower comprehension scores for digital books. Adults’ mediation during print books’ reading was more effective than the enhancements in digital books read by children independently. However, with story-congruent enhancements, digital books outperformed paper books. An embedded dictionary had no or negative effect on children’s story comprehension but positively affected children’s vocabulary learning. Findings are discussed in relation to the cognitive load theory and practical design implications

The Influence of Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation on Matrix Metalloproteinases in Patients Treated for Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), regulated by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-9 (TIMP-1) and the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), contributes to plaque instability. Autologous stem cells from bone marrow (mBMC) treatment are suggested to reduce myocardial damage; however, limited data exists on the influence of mBMC on MMPs. Aim. We investigated the influence of mBMC on circulating levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and EMMPRIN at different time points in patients included in the randomized Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ASTAMI) trial (n=100). Gene expression analyses were additionally performed. Results. After 2-3 weeks we observed a more pronounced increase in MMP-9 levels in the mBMC group, compared to controls (P=0.030), whereas EMMPRIN levels were reduced from baseline to 2-3 weeks and 3 months in both groups (P<0.0001). Gene expression of both MMP-9 and EMMPRIN was reduced from baseline to 3 months. MMP-9 and EMMPRIN were significantly correlated to myocardial injury (CK: P=0.005 and P<0.001, resp.) and infarct size (SPECT: P=0.018 and P=0.008, resp.). Conclusion. The results indicate that the regulation of metalloproteinases is important during AMI, however, limited influenced by mBMC

Modeling, Identification and Control at Telemark University College

Master studies in process automation started in 1989 at what soon became Telemark University College, and the 20 year anniversary marks the start of our own PhD degree in Process, Energy and Automation Engineering. The paper gives an overview of research activities related to control engineering at Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Cybernetics