A conceptual system design and managerial complexity competency model

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Complex adaptive systems are usually difficult to design and control. There are several particular methods for coping with complexity, but there is no general approach to build complex adaptive systems. The challenges of designing complex adaptive systems in a highly dynamic world drive the need for anticipatory capacity within engineering organizations, with a goal of enabling the design of systems that can cope with an unpredictable environment. This thesis explores this question of enhancing anticipatory capacity through the study of a complex adaptive system design methodology and complexity management competencies. A general introduction to challenges and issues in complex adaptive systems design is given, since a good understanding of the industrial context is considered necessary in order to avoid oversimplification of the problem, neglecting certain important factors and being unaware of important influences and relationships. In addition, a general introduction to complex thinking is given, since designing complex adaptive systems requires a non-classical thought, while practical notions of complexity theory and design are put forward. Building on these, the research proposes a Complex Systems Life-Cycle Understanding and Design (CXLUD) methodology to aid system architects and engineers in the design and control of complex adaptive systems. Starting from a creative anticipation construct - a loosening mechanism to allow for more options to be considered, the methodology proposes a conceptual framework and a series of stages to follow to find proper mechanisms that will promote elements to desired solutions by actively interacting among themselves. To illustrate the methodology, a financial systemic risks infrastructure systems architecture development case study is presented. The final part of this thesis develops a conceptual model to analyse managerial complexity competency model from a qualitative phenomenological study perspective. The model developed in this research is called Understanding-Perception-Action (UPA) managerial complexity competency model. The results of this competency model can be used to help ease project manager’s transition into complex adaptive projects, as well as serve as a foundation to launch qualitative and quantitative research into this area of project complexity management

Integrating Voice over IP Solution in IPv6 and IPv4 Networks to Increase Employee Productivity: A Case Study of Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), North-West

Telecommunications organizations have to follow the rapid innovation of technology if they want to face challenges raised by competition. The challenge to respond to the huge market demand of updated products and services from customers requires that the organization‘s working environment be equipped with tools and communication facilities that contribute to ameliorating productivity. Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) is facing a digital telephony and Internet Protocol strategic management challenge. Successful implementation cannot be achieved if the employees are still depending on the ageing public switched telephone network (PSTN) as their primary communication system, despite the frequent loss of dial tone experience in a day which can last up to a week, with serious repercussions on business activities and revenues. This study is designed to provide a solution to the telecommunications challenge. The fundamental question is how to integrate a digital telephony system that will provide telephony services in the existing IPv4 data network while prioritizing IPv6 traffic forwarding. This study proposes and implements solutions that integrate a Voice over IP solution with IPv6 as an alternative communication system that relies on the existing IPv4 data network. VoIP is deemed as one of the driving forces behind the adoption of IPv6. The purpose is to offer to workers an option that will free them from the poor Quality of Service (QoS) of their existing PSTN based solution, hopefully enhancing the overall productivity. This paper follows two research methodologies: Qualitative Research in Applied Situations and Engineering design process. The first part of this study reports the results of the evaluation of how much such a solution can enhance workers’ productivity. As it is important to provide an environment where IPv4 and IPv6 networks and applications/devices can interoperate in the context of VoIP; the second part describes practically a simulation environment where various configurations of network entities are done following a Dual-Stack transition approach. Document and records were used to gather information related to the structure, operations, and topological update of the Camtel’s existing IP data network. The findings demonstrated that VoIP can be an effective communication solution for Camtel and its implementation with IPv6 will be preferable. However, for this to be efficient there must be a provision of sufficient bandwidth and usage of types of equipment and transmission mediums that minimizes processing and propagation delays. Findings also reveal that better productivity will be achieved if workers are fully trained for the exploitation. This research article tries to highlight, discuss a required transition roadmap and extend the local knowledge and practice on IPv6. Future expansion of this research work will consist of deploying Dual-Stack VoIP in the remaining 9 regional offices for full integration in the corporate communication system of Camtel

Developing a Low-Cost IoT-Based Remote Cardiovascular Patient Monitoring System in Cameroon

(1) Background: Cameroonians are exposed to poor health services, more so citizens with cardiovascular-related diseases. The global high cost of acquiring healthcare-related technologies has prompted the government and individuals to promote the need for local research and the development of the health system. (2) Objectives: The main goal of this study is to design and develop a low-cost cardiovascular patient monitoring system (RPM) with wireless capabilities that could be used in any region of Cameroon, accessible, and very inexpensive, that are able to capture important factors, well reflecting the patient’s condition and provide alerting mechanisms. (3) Method: Using the lean UX process from the Gothelf and Seiden framework, the implemented IoT-based application measures the patients’ systolic, diastolic, and heart rates using various sensors, that are automated to record directly to the application database for analysis. The validity of the heuristic evaluation was examined in an ethnographic study of paramedics using a prototype of the system in their work environment. (4) Results: We obtained a system that was pre-tested on demo patients and later deployed and tested on seven real human test subjects. The users’ task performances partially verified the heuristic evaluation results. (5) Conclusions: The data acquired by the sensors have a high level of accuracy and effectively help specialists to properly monitor their patients at a low cost. The proposed system maintains a user-friendliness as no expertise is required for its effective utilization