Project controlling from definition to planning, execution and completion

The project control cycle consists of 1) planning, 2) checking and 3) acting: taking control (steering). It takes place during all phases of the generic process of projects: 1) definition, 2) planning, 3) execution and 4) completion. With the progression of the project and with the breakdown from general to more detailed (sub-)tasks, the planning becomes more detailed and precise. The values measured for controlling become more accurate as well. The effort needed for controlling increases

A systematic solution to the bridge and torch riddle

Combinatorics can be used to derive the solution to the bridge and torch riddle. The approach is more precise than simple guessing and more intuitive than purely formal solutions (e.g. an algebraic solution)

Eine systematische Lösung für das "Bridge-Riddle"

Mit Kombinatorik lässt sich die Lösung für das „Bridge-Riddle“ systematisch herleiten. Das ist eindeutiger als simples Probieren und anschaulicher als eine rein formale Lösung (Algebra o.ä).

From summit to seafloor : lifted weight as a function of altitude and depth

A comparison of lifted weight as a function of altitude and depth reveals big differences by a factor of about 3’000 in total from 11 km above sea level to 10 km below sea level, divided into factors of: 4 between summit and sea level, 400 between flying close to the ground and planing on water, 2 between planing on water and in a fully submerged state. The most dramatic changes are due to different fluids and levels of altitude. The most interesting sector to discuss lift is close to sea level: aircraft approaching the ground, plates planing on water and hydrofoils only barely submerged in water. There is one basic similarity across of these: Almost any shape, as long as it is not too thick, will work as an (air)foil and produce lift when the angle of attack is in the right range

Definition, complexity and optimisation of projects

A project is a one-time process. Project leaders manage to cope with the unique character of each project by applying standard methods and by optimising the four steps from definition to planning, execution and completion

The symmetry of wings and sails

All of the principal items of flight performance involve steady flight conditions and equilibrium of the airplane. The same is true for the performance of boards and boats when sailing and foiling. A comparison of most basic parameters between aircrafts and sailcrafts reveals similarities in the understanding of the principal physical laws as well as variations and differences in their application to create a balance of forces when dealing with weight, lift, drag and driving forces (propulsion)

A bike ride from cradle to grave : better decision-making by using the life-cycle-costs approach

The life-cycle costs (LCC) approach is used to gain transparency, to compare variants and to have a reliable basis for long-term-budgeting of investments, maintenance and operation with the goal of most favourable total costs of ownership (TCO) for a given level of service for reliability, availability, maintainability, safety, health and environment, functionality, comfort (RAMSHEFC)

Mehr Verkehr führt nicht in jedem Fall zu grösserer räumlicher Streuung.

Der öffentliche Verkehr auf der Schiene und die Raumplanung sind der Schlüssel zur Eindämmung der Zersiedelung - ohne dass der Wohlstand aufs Spiel gesetzt werden muss. Es gilt, die Verkehrsträger gemäss ihren Stärken einzusetzen

From formation to closure : a navigator’s perspective on the work and cash flow cycle of a small business and its main delays

Version 1.1 from 22. May 2019The cash flow cycle is essential to a business's survival. Often, the process is delayed between the stages of acquiring orders, creating work results, invoicing, and receiving payments from customers. Managing cash flow can therefore be a challenge, particularly in the start-up phase or when expanding

Wishful thinking or realistic approach? : rationality and traceability are a virtue!

Apocalyptic predictions, messages of salvation, superforecasting or just common (systems) engineering – any statement about a causal, empirical, or logical relationship between two states of affairs should be substantiated with a traceable chain of rational arguments. Scientific methods and the principles of engineering are fundamental to distinguishing wishful thinking from realistic approach