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All provincial departments are required to report on pre-determined objectives in terms of Section 40 of the Public Finance Management Act, read in conjunction with Section 5.1.1. of the Treasury Regulations. The purpose of this study was to establish the challenges faced by the Limpopo provincial departments in reporting pre-determined objectives to the Auditor-General. Reporting pre-determined objectives has been a challenge over the past financial years and this is evident in the Auditor-General‟s reports, in which departments continued to receive qualified audit reports (Auditor-General Reports, 2008-2011). The introduction of the Framework for Managing Programme and Performance Information by National Treasury, as well as Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation by the Presidency, was intended to specifically address this challenge faced by departments (National Treasury, 2007 & The Presidency, 2007). The literature review revealed that performance management is fundamental to enhancing organisational performance. In this study, a qualitative research approach was used to collect and analyse data. Key findings of the study were that management should prioritise strategic planning, performance reporting, monitoring and evaluation to enable it to be in a position to make a determination as to whether what was planned by the department was realised. It is of paramount importance that performance reporting is on top of the agenda at management meetings. / MA (Public Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

All provincial departments are required to report on pre-determined objectives in terms of Section 40 of the Public Finance Management Act, read in conjunction with Section 5.1.1. of the Treasury Regulations. The purpose of this study was to establish the challenges faced by the Limpopo provincial departments in reporting pre-determined objectives to the Auditor-General. Reporting pre-determined objectives has been a challenge over the past financial years and this is evident in the Auditor-General‟s reports, in which departments continued to receive qualified audit reports (Auditor-General Reports, 2008-2011). The introduction of the Framework for Managing Programme and Performance Information by National Treasury, as well as Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation by the Presidency, was intended to specifically address this challenge faced by departments (National Treasury, 2007 & The Presidency, 2007). The literature review revealed that performance management is fundamental to enhancing organisational performance. In this study, a qualitative research approach was used to collect and analyse data. Key findings of the study were that management should prioritise strategic planning, performance reporting, monitoring and evaluation to enable it to be in a position to make a determination as to whether what was planned by the department was realised. It is of paramount importance that performance reporting is on top of the agenda at management meetings. / MA (Public Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Pressing demands for less power consumption of processors while delivering higher performance levels have put an extra attention on efficiency of the systems. Efficient management of resources in the current computing systems, given their increasing number of entities and complexity, requires accurate predictive models that can easily adapt to system and application changes. Through performance monitoring counter (PMC) events, in modern processors, a vast amount of information can be obtained from the system. This thesis provides a methodology to efficiently choose such events for power modeling purposes. In addition, exploiting the time-dependence of the data measured through PMCs and multi-meters, we build predictive multivariate time-series models that estimate the run-time power consumption of a system. In particular, we find an autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) model that is combined with a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm as a good candidate for such purposes. Many of the available estimation or prediction models avoid using the metrics that are affected by the changes of the processor frequency. This thesis proposes a method to mitigate the impact of frequency scaling in a run-time model on power and PMC metrics. This method is based on a practical Gaussian approximation. Different segments of the trend of a metric that are associated with different frequencies are scaled and offset into a zero mean unit variance signal. This is an attempt to transform the variable frequency trend into a weakly stationary time-series. Using this approach, we have shown that power estimation of a system using PMCs can be done in a variable frequency environment. We extend the ARMAX-RLS model to predict the near future power consumption and PMCs of different applications in a variable frequency environment. The proposed method is adaptive, independent of the system and applications. We have shown that a run-time per core or aggregate system PMC event prediction, multiple-steps ahead of time, is feasible using an ARMAX-RLS model. This is crucial for progressing from the reactive power and performance management methods to more proactive algorithms. / Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-11-12 12:21:00.152

Os processos industriais, em geral, estão sujeitos à presença de distúrbios não medidos, estas perturbações influenciam diretamente na eficiência do processo de produção e na qualidade de seus produtos finais. Essas razões tornam a presença de distúrbios não medidos um dos principais problemas de controle tornando-os, assim, um importante elemento na teoria de controle. Porém, existe um problema fundamental no que envolve o estudo destes sinais uma vez que o comportamento temporal dos distúrbios não medidos não é precisamente conhecido nem é possível sua medição direta em tempo real. Em virtude desses aspectos o presente trabalho propõe uma metodologia capaz de estimar o distúrbio não medido presente em uma malha de controle SISO a partir de dados de processo em condição normal de operação, da estrutura e dos parâmetros de ajuste do controlador. São propostas também outras duas metodologias que utilizam o conhecimento do distúrbio não medido estimado, uma delas realiza a identificação do modelo da planta e a outra prediz o potencial de redução de variabilidade, levando em consideração o distúrbio não medido estimado, o modelo da planta identificado e a real estrutura do controlador em operação. A metodologia foi analisada através de estudos de casos envolvendo modelos de planta de primeira e segunda ordem com e sem tempo morto. Através dos resultados foi possível observar uma boa capacidade de estimação dos distúrbios não medidos assim como uma boa qualidade no modelo da planta identificado, via metodologia proposta, medida através de sua capacidade em reprodutibilidade do modelo real da planta e uma boa capacidade de predição da redução de variabilidade das malhas de controle decorrentes de alterações no ajuste do controlador. / Industrial processes are subject to the presence of unmeasured disturbances and their consequent effects. These disturbances have direct influence on the production process progress and the quality of their products. These reasons make the presence of unmeasured disturbances a problem into control theory. However, there is a fundamental problem to study these signals, since the temporal behavior of unmeasured disturbances is not precisely known and its measurement is not possible directly in real time. Due to these aspects, this paper proposes a methodology to estimate the unmeasured disturbance present in a SISO control loop from normal operating data, the controller structure and its tuning parameters. It proposes also two other methodologies that use the knowledge of the unmeasured disturbance estimate. One of these approaches performs the identification of the plant model and the second computes the potential variability reduction estimated taking account the unmeasured disturbance estimate, the identified plant model and the real controller structure. The methodology was analyzed by some case studies involving plant models of first and second order with and without dead time and different unmeasured disturbances. Through the results we observed a good ability to estimate the unmeasured disturbances, as well as a good quality of the identified plant model, measured by its ability to reproduce the actual plant model and a good ability to predict the reduction of the control loop variability obtained by changes on the controller tuning.

Nas últimas décadas os pavimentos rodoviários brasileiros têm tido seu desempenho comprometido devido a uma série de fatores, entre eles incluem-se não somente o crescente aumento do volume de tráfego de veículos pesados e aumento de sua capacidade de transporte, mas principalmente a circulação com cargas acima dos limites legais estabelecidos, configurando uma situação crítica para a sua adequada durabilidade da estrutura projetada. Paralelamente aos investimentos necessários, é importante também o desenvolvimento de métodos mais racionais de dimensionamento de pavimentos contemplando as especificidades dos materiais empregados e levando em consideração as condições climáticas e, principalmente uma completa e detalhada caracterização do tráfego solicitante. Neste contexto apresentado, a pesquisa insere-se em dois importantes estudos. O acompanhamento construtivo e monitoramento sistemático de desempenho de dois trechos na rodovia BR-448/RS e a continuidade do monitoramento de outros dois na BR-290/RS, trecho em concessão entre Osório e Porto Alegre (Freeway). Estas atividades inserem-se no “Projeto Integrado da Rede Temática de Tecnologia em Asfalto Petrobras/ANP", de abrangência nacional, para desenvolvimento de um novo método brasileiro de dimensionamento de pavimentos O segundo estudo trata-se de um completo monitoramento de cargas na Freeway, através da instalação e operacionalização inédita de um equipamento de pesagem dinâmica de alta velocidade (Hight Speed Weigh-in-Motion – HS-WIM) para determinação do espectro de cargas e posterior análise de sua influência no desempenho de pavimentos. Com ambos os estudos foi possível, além de determinar o espectro de cargas, os carregamentos médios e os níveis de sobrecargas praticados naquela rodovia, verificar como estas cargas influenciam o desempenho do pavimento e confrontar estes dados com as tendências observadas através do monitoramento sistemático dos trechos analisados. Por meio do desenvolvimento do presente trabalho pretende-se contribuir para melhorias na engenharia rodoviária e de tráfego através da inserção de novas tecnologias de monitoramento e fiscalização das cargas transportadas e contribuir com o desenvolvimento de um novo método de dimensionamento de pavimentos flexíveis proposto pela Rede Temática de Asfalto, através do levantamento de dados nos trechos experimentais para desenvolvimento de modelos de desempenho e sua posterior inserção nos modelos de calibração. / In recent decades the Brazilian road pavements have had their performance reduced due to a number of factors, not only the increasing volume of heavy vehicles and increased transport capacity, but mainly the flow with loads above the established legal limits, setting a critical situation for the durability of the designed structure. Alongside the necessary investment, it is also important to the development of more rational methods of pavement design, considering the specificities of the materials used and taking into account the climatic conditions and a complete and detailed characterization of the traffic. In this context, the research was developed to attain two main objectives: the construction monitoring and systematic assessment of performance of two test sections built in BR-448/RS highway and the continuity of assesment of two others previously built in BR-290/RS, between Osório and Porto Alegre (known as Freeway). These activities are part of the "Integrated Project Theme Technology Network Petrobras Asphalt/ANP", a nationwide project aimed at developing a new Brazilian method for pavement design The second objective was to conduct a comprehensive monitoring loads study on the Freeway, by installing and carrying on an unprecedented operation of a dynamic weighting equipment of high speed (High speed weigh-in-Motion - HS-WIM) to determine the loads spectrum and subsequent analysis of the influence on pavement performance. Both studies made possible to determine the loads spectrum, average loads and levels of overloads practiced on that highway, to estimate how these loads affect the pavement performance and to compare these data with the trends observed through the systematic assessment of the analyzed sections. This work aims to contribute to improvements in road and traffic engineering, by introducing new monitoring technologies, monitoring the transported cargo and contributing to the development of a new design method of flexible pavements, a major goal of the Thematic Network of Asphalt, to be achieved through experimental data collection in test sections, the development of performance models and their subsequent insertion in the calibration models.

Following several years of research and development around the subject of BIM, its impact on the design and handover of buildings is now becoming visible across the construction industry. Changes in design procedures and information management methods indicate the potential for greater utilisation of a Common Data Environment in areas other than design. To identify how these changes are influencing the engineering design process, and adapt this process to the needs and requirements of building performance management requires consideration of multiple factors, relating mainly to the stakeholders and processes employed in these procedures. This thesis is the culmination of a four year Engineering Doctorate exploring how BIM could be used to support non-domestic building energy performance management. It begins with an introduction to the research aim and objectives, then presents a thorough review of the subject area and the methodologies employed for the research. Research is split between eight sequential tasks using literature review, interviews, data analysis and case-study application from which findings, conclusions and key recommendations are made. Findings demonstrate disparity between different information environments and provide insight into the necessary steps to enable connection between BIM and monitored building energy performance information. They highlight the following factors essential to providing an information environment suitable for BIM applied performance management: Skills in handling information and the interface between various environments; Technology capable of producing structured and accurate information, supporting efficient access for interconnection with other environments; and Processes that define the standards to which information is classified, stored and modified, with responsibility for its creation and modification made clear throughout the building life-cycle. A prototype method for the linking of BIM and monitored building energy performance data is demonstrated for a case-study building, encountering many of the technical barriers preventing replication on other projects. Methodological challenges are identified using review of existing building design and operation procedures. In conclusion the research found that BIM is still in its infancy, and while efforts are being made to apply it in novel ways to support efficient operation, several challenges remain. Opportunities for building energy performance improvement may be visualised using the modelling environment BIM provides, and the ability to interface with descriptive performance data suggests the future potential for BIM utilisation post-handover.

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the potential use of net impulse and its characteristics in vertical jumping to monitor athletes' performance status and responses/adaptations to interventions. Five variables were proposed as net impulse characteristics: net impulse height and width, rate of force development, shape factor, and net impulse proportion. The following were then examined: 1) test-retest reliability of a new approach to identify net impulse in a force-time curve and of net impulse characteristics and criterion validity of the new approach; 2) effective measures of net impulse characteristics; 3) relationships between training-induced changes in its characteristics and force production ability. The following are major findings of the dissertation. Rate of force development particularly for the countermovement jump require a large magnitude of change to overcome the variable's inherent variability. Shape factor and net impulse proportion for the static jump should be used with caution and requires further investigations. Alternative net impulse can be used interchangeably to criterion net impulse. Of the proposed net impulse characteristics, net impulse height and width and shape factor were found to contribute to countermovement jump height, whereas all the net impulse characteristics were found to contribute to static jump height. Of the characteristics found to contribute, relative net impulse height (net impulse height divided by system mass) appears to be an important characteristic to achieve a high jump height for the countermovement and static jumps and net impulse proportion for the static jump. A mechanism behind increased countermovement jump height may be an increased countermovement displacement as a result of increased force production ability. A mechanism behind increased static jump height is the increased proportion of the entire positive impulse occupied by net impulse (i.e. increased net impulse proportion). The findings of this dissertation show the possibility of the use of the net impulse characteristics to monitor athletes' performance status and responses/adaptations to interventions. However, because this dissertation was the first to explore the potential use of the net impulse characteristics for athletes' performance monitoring, the existing knowledge is still preliminary and further research is required before practical recommendations are made.

Call Centres represent one of the fastest growing industries today. In a competitive business environment the service delivered by Call Centre operators needs to be quantified and this is achieved through Electronic Performance Monitoring (EPM). This study considered the effects of EPM, and related factors such as job control, task complexity, performance, goal-setting and feedback, on the job satisfaction, organisational commitment and work stress, of Call Centre operators. The impact of these factors on staff turnover, which media reports suggest is very high for many Call Centres, was also considered. A total of 388 participants (265 females, 123 males) completed a voluntary self-report questionnaire. All participants were Call Centre operators who were working in one of 27 call centres across Australia in a variety of industries, including Banking & Finance, IT, Employment, Insurance and Telecommunications. All operators were working in an electronically monitored environment. Regression and path analyses revealed age, that is younger employees, and job dissatisfaction to be the only variables that predicted staff turnover. A positive perception of EPM was predicted by a positive perception of both goal-setting and feedback. It was concluded that while staff turnover was high in the current sample, it was not associated with perceptions of EPM, and other factors appeared to be more important.

The objective of this thesis was to develop novel technologies for measuring the physical characteristics of high-speed pulse trains, for use in performance monitoring applications. This thesis describes the development of three separate techniques that perform measurements in either the time domain, frequency domain or the phase space of the optical signal. The first section investigates phase-sensitive pulse measurement techniques. A high- resolution SHG-FROG apparatus was custom-designed to measure 40GHz RZ pulse trains, from which an operational characterisation of a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) was realised. A numerical model of a nonlinear pulse compressor was developed to compress 40GHz RZ pulses from 8.5ps down to 3.4ps. These pulses were time-division multiplexed to 80GHz, and phase-retrievals of the 80GHz pulse trains were measured. A comparison between the techniques of SHG-FROG and linear spectrogram has been undertaken for 10GHz pulse sources, exposing SHG-FROG's weaknesses at this particular repetition rate. The second section investigates a simple, time-averaged, nonlinear detection technique. Two-photon absorption in a GaAs/InGaAs quantum-well laser diode was used to measure the duty cycle (and by extension, the pulse duration) of a range of pulse sources. This technique was further developed to measure the extinction ratio of NRZ pulse trains. Additionally, the pulse duration of a mode-locked laser source was measured using the nonlinear absorption in a 1-m length of As2Se3 Chalcogenide glass fiber. This demonstrates that the nonlinear properties of this glass may well find application in future instrumentation. The third section investigates the development of an ultra-high resolution swept heterodyne spectrometer. This spectrometer was used to spectrally-distinguish repetitive 8-bit NRZ patterns at 2.5Gbit/s. It was also used to measure the chirp parameter of an X-cut LiNbO3 MZM, revealing a chirp parameter of απ/2 < 0.1 across a modulation band- width of 250-2500MHz. Additionally, the distinctive CW spectrum of a DFB laser diode was measured. Analysis of the measured CW spectrum yielded a linewidth enhancement factor of α≃ 1.8 and also the relative intensity noise of the DFB laser diode.