Software implementation projects struggle with the delicate balance of low cost, on-time delivery and quality. The methodologies and processes used to create and maintain a quality software system are expensive to deploy and result in long development cycle-time. However, without their deployment into the software implementation life-cycle, a software system will be undependable, unsuccessful. The purpose of this research is to identify a succinct set of software implementation success criteria and assess the key independent constructs, activities, carried out to ensure a successful implementation project. The research will assess the success of a software implementation project as the dependent construct of interest and use the software process model (methodology) as the independent construct. This field research involved three phases: (1) criteria development, (2) data collection, and (3) testing of hypotheses and discriminant analysis. The first phase resulted in the development of the measurement instruments for the independent and dependent constructs. The measurement instrument for the independent construct was representative of the criteria from highly regarded software implementation process models and methodologies, e.g., ISO9000, Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model (SEI CMM). The dependent construct was developed from the categories and criteria from the Delone and McLean (1992) MIS List of Success Measures. The data collection and assessment phase employed a field survey research strategy to 80 companies involved in internal software implementation. Both successful and unsuccessful software implementation projects (identified by the Delone/McLean model) participated. Results from 165 projects were collected, 28 unsuccessful and 137 successful. The third phase used ANOVA to test the first 11 hypotheses and employed discriminant analysis for the 12th hypothesis to identify the "best set" of variables, criteria, that discriminate between successful and unsuccessful software implementation projects. Twelve discriminating variables out of 67 were identified and supported as significant discriminators between successful and unsuccessful projects. Three of the 11 constructs were found not to be significant investments for the successful projects.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 H866 / Master of Science / Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design

A research project submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1995. / This project compares the ISO 9000 series with the Deming-based total quality management philosophy. The series are also equated with the Deming prize and the Malcolm Baldrlge National Quality Award as a trilogy in achieving total quality management. Many companies which have implemented total quality management are requiring their suppliers to meet quality standards to assure a consistent product or service. The SABS ISO 9000 series is presently a prevalent method of assessment of suppliers. Concerns that ISO registration would be the only way LV ensure sales to the European Community have partially diminished, while pressure from domestic firms have increased. especially for companies facing competitive bidding from supplier contracts This driving force may result in companies not reaping the advantages of total quality management, as their quality systems are simply designed to meet ISO 9000 requirements, Analysis, primary and secondary research identified weaknesses and strengths of the ISO standards and Awards. Suggestions are made to those companies in the process ofISO registration in moving to a total quality environment.

An Investigational Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the W'itwatersrand for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering. / This investigational project is concerned with quality management in the process plant manufacturing industry. Process plant manufacture can be defined as the design, manufacture and installation of pressure vessels, pipework, heat exchangers, storage vessels, etc., for the power generation, chemical and oil processing industries, food and beverage, metals producing and mining practices for similar quality assurance (Q.A.) and quality control (O.C.) practices to be employed. (Abbreviation abstract) / Andrew Chakane 2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, for the degree of Master of Science by Coursework and Research Report. / Researchers and data analysts often encounter a problem when analysing data with missing values. Methods for imputing continuous data are well developed in the literature. However, methods for imputing categorical data are not well established. This research report focuses on categorical data imputation using non-parametric and semi-parametric methods. The aims of the study are to compare different imputation methods for categorical data and to assess the quality of the imputation. Three imputation methods are compared namely; multiple imputation, hot deck imputation and random forest imputation. Missing data are created on a complete data set using the missing completely at random mechanism. The imputed data sets are compared with the original complete data set, and the imputed values which are the same as the values in the original data set are counted. The analysis revealed that the hot deck imputation method is more precise, compared to random forest and multiple imputation methods. Logistic regression is fitted on the imputed data sets and the original data set and the resulting models are compared. The analysis shows that the multiple imputation method affects the model fit of the logistic regression negatively.

Professional competence is expected of all nurses in practice. Although new nurses have met the competency requirement for practice legally, opinions vary among new nurses and nurse administrators as to whether new nurses are indeed competent to practice nursing. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to learn what new nurses think about professional competence. The research question guiding this study was, "What is professional competence from the perspective of newly licensed registered nurses?" / by Priscilla Dunson Bartolone. / Vita. / Thesis (D.N.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Factors such as water to cement ratio, moisture, mixture, presence and depth of rebar, and dimension of specimens, all of which affect apparent resistivity of concrete, were analyzed by experimental and modeling methods. Cylinder and rectangular prism concrete specimens were used in the experiments exposed in a high moisture room, laboratory room temperature, high humidity and outdoor weather environments. Single rebar and four rebar specimens were used to study the rebar effect on the apparent resistivity. Modeling analysis was employed to verify and explain the experimental results. Based on the results, concrete with fly ash showed higher resistivity than concrete with just ordinary Portland cement. Rebar presence had a significant effect on the measured apparent resistivity at some of the locations. The results could be used as a guide for field apparent resistivity measurements and provide a quick, more precise and easy way to estimate the concrete quality. / by Yanbo Liu. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

O desempenho de uma prática segura e eficiente de um serviço de medicina nuclear depende, entre outros fatores, de um programa de controle de qualidade completo, principalmente em se tratando dos instrumentos medidores de atividade dos radionuclídeos, os ativímetros. Um programa de controle de qualidade completo deve incluir a calibração de todos os instrumentos de medição utilizados no procedimento. No entanto, no Brasil, a atual norma que estabelece os requisitos de proteção radiológica para serviços de medicina nuclear (SMN), não inclui, ainda, a calibração do ativímetro. Considerando que estes instrumentos, por diversas razões, são de difícil remoção para envio a um serviço de calibração, o propósito deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma metodologia de calibração de medidores de atividades que possa ser aplicada \"in situ\", para o principal radiofármaco utilizado atualmente, o 99mTc. Foram definidos os parâmetros de influência que devem ser levados em conta durante a calibração, assim como uma logística de transporte dos radiofármacos. Um programa de controle de qualidade foi aplicado aos ativímetros do Laboratório de Calibração de Instrumento (LCI). Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidas três metodologias diferentes de calibração, considerando a logística disponível e também a origem da fonte de referência. Na primeira metodologia poderá ser aplicada nos casos em que o LCI envia uma fonte de referência ao SMN. Na segunda o SMN envia uma fonte previamente medida ao LCI que determinará sua atividade real. A terceira metodologia foi aplicada para calibração dos ativímetros pertencentes ao setor de produção de radiofármacos do IPEN. Neste caso a fonte de referência foi enviada ao LCI após uma medição prévia pelo setor de produção. Foi possível aplicar as metodologias em alguns instrumentos pertencentes a clínicas e ao setor de produção. Em todos eles foram encontrados coeficientes de calibração diferentes entre si. A maior variação encontrada foi de 5%, indicando que a medição com este ativímetro está menor em 5% do que é necessário aplicar no paciente. Verificou-se que a troca de recipientes deixa um resíduo que não tem sido considerado nas medições clínicas, podendo acrescentar uma diferença de até 3% nas medições. / The performance of a safety and efficient practice of a nuclear medicine service depends, among other factors, on a complete quality control program, especially in the case of the radionuclide activity measuring instrument, the activimeter. A complete quality control program should include the calibration of all measurement instruments used in the procedure. However, in Brazil, the actual standard that establishes the requirements of radiological protection for nuclear medicine services (NMS), does not include the calibration of the activimeter. Considering that these instruments, for various reasons, are difficult to remove for sending to a Calibration Service, the purpose of this work is to develop a methodology for activimeter calibration that can be applied \"in situ\" to the most used radiopharmaceutical, 99mTc. The parameters of influence that should be taken in into account during the calibration were defined, as well as a transport logistics of the radiopharmaceuticals. A quality control program was applied to LCI activimeters. In this study, three calibration methodologies have been established, considering the available logistics and the reference source origin. The first can be applied in cases that LCI sends the reference sample to the NMS. In the second, the NMS sends an already measured sample to the LCI that will determine its real activity. The third methodology was developed to be applied to the activimeters belonging to the radiopharmaceutical sector of IPEN. In this case, the reference source was sent to the LCI after a previous measurement by the production sector. It was possible to apply the methodologies in some instruments belonging to clinics and the production sector. In all of them, different calibration coefficients were found. The largest variation found was 5%, indicating that the measurement with this activimeter is 5% lower than that required for the patient. It was found that the exchange of containers leaves a residue that has not been considered in clinical measurements, and may add a difference of up to 3% in the measurements.

O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar os métodos de digitalização de bases cartográficas na escala de 1:50.000, bem como analisar formas de realizar o controle de qualidade do produto final. No processo de digitalização foram empregadas as seguintes metodologias: digitalização em mesa, em tela (heads-up), semi-automática e automática. O emprego de tais metodologias de digitalização prevê a possível utilização da base cartográfica digital em um sistema de informação geográfica, necessitando assim de alguns cuidados adicionais. Em todo esse processo, deverão ser levados em conta variáveis como: tipo e qualidade do mapa original, equipamentos, programas, recursos especiais oferecidos e uma avaliação dos tempos de digitalização e edição. Também foi dada atenção ao controle de qualidade geométrica, propondo-se um roteiro para avaliar o padrão de exatidão cartográfico (PEC), seguindo as normas vigentes no país e utilizando nesse processo pontos de controle com coordenadas obtidas das folhas 1:10.000 do IGC e de levantamentos GPS. / The purpose of this work is to study digitizing methods for cartographic bases in 1:50.000 scale, as well as to analyse ways to carry out the quality control for the final products. During the digitizing process, have been the following methods employed: tablet digitizing, screen (heads-up), semi automatic and automatic raster/vector conversion. These methodologies foresees the introduction of this cartographic base in a geographic information system, which asks for some further care. All this process shall be considered variables such as: kind of map, original quality of map, equipment, programs, special resources and an evaluation of time spent in digitzing and edition. Attention has also been given to the geometric quality control by observing cartographic accuracy standard (CAS) result, based on the standards used in Brazil and, for this, taking into account control points with coordinates obtained from 1:10.000 IGC maps and GPS surveying.

Um sistema de rastreabilidade possibilita a localização do alimento em todos os elos da cadeia, da matéria-prima ao varejo, podendo prover informação quanto à natureza, origem e qualidade do produto permitindo ao consumidor decidir, conscientemente no momento da compra, e ao produtor/industrial retornar a um procedimento problema, encontrando e solucionando uma inconformidade através de rápidos mecanismos de localização. Na cadeia produtiva do pescado, o meio ambiente se configura no primeiro entrave à produção com qualidade, devido a problemas que possam advir da água de cultivo e captura. Esta pesquisa visou levantar parâmetros a serem analisados gerando dados que possam ser rastreados visando a qualidade total do pescado, tendo como objeto de estudo a captura do cod fish islandês e a Tilápia do Nilo advinda da aquicultura brasileira, visando o desenvolvimento de sistemas de rastreabilidade passíveis de serem aplicados à cadeia produtiva do pescado brasileiro, bem como estudar as variáveis técnicas e ambientais que podem contribuir para melhorar a qualidade da matéria-prima destinada à indústria. Implementar um sistema de rastreabilidade requer o desenvolvimento de padrões que produzam dados objetivos para serem compilados e disseminados visando melhorar a integração da informação vertical da cadeia produtiva. Na pesca extrativa, devido ao declínio dos estoques pesqueiros e, conseqüente, diminuição do volume pescado, o desafio é estudar as variáveis ambientais que possam interferir na qualidade do produto final, bem como conhecer as áreas de pesca, extraindo delas pescado de melhor qualidade e maior rendimento para a indústria. No caso da aqüicultura, um dos maiores desafios é a busca pela produção sustentável, mantendo o equilíbrio entre a água e o pescado, pois a água, se em condições inadequadas em relação aos parâmetros de qualidade, além de prejudicar o crescimento, reprodução, saúde e sobrevivência do pescado, interfere em sua qualidade, sendo que, parâmetros físicos, químicos e biológicos adequados determinam a qualidade da água nos viveiros de cultivo. Devido a eutrofização de ambientes aquáticos, a literatura já tem relatado problemas com incidência de off flavor em pescado, bem como ocorrência de cianotoxinas na água e no pescado. Há necessidade de que as regiões de cultivo, façam monitoramento das espécies de cianobactérias potencialmente produtoras de toxinas, substâncias que causam off flavor, como a geosmina bem como pontuar e estudar fatores ambientais e de manejo que levam à ocorrência de algumas espécies de cianobactérias, buscando o desenvolvimento social, ambiental, econômico e sustentável do setor pesqueiro / A traceability system allows food location in all parts of the chain, from raw material to marketing, providing information regarding the product nature, origin and quality. It also allows consumers to make a conscious decision at the time of purchase, and producers to return to a procedure if it is necessary, for example, to find and solve a disagreement through rapid localization mechanisms. In the fish chain production, the environment is configured as the first obstacle to a production with quality, due to the problems that may arise from the cultivation and capture. This research aimed to assess the parameters to be analyzed by generating data that can be traced in order to improve the fish quality, having as the object of this study the Icelandic cod fish and Nile tilapia coming from the Brazilian aquaculture. Traceability systems were developed to be applied to the Brazilian fish chain production, as well as to the technical and environmental variables that can contribute to improve the raw material quality for the industry. To implement a tracking system requires the development of standards that produce data to be compiled and disseminated to improve the vertical integration of information in the supply chain. In fishing and quarrying, due to the decline of fish stocks and, consequently, a reduction in the fish volume, the challenge is to study the environmental variables that can affect the quality of the final product as well as the knowledge of the fishing grounds, extracting the best quality fish and higher yield for the industry. In aquaculture, the production must be sustainable, maintaining the balance between water and fish. In inadequate conditions in relation to quality parameters, the water can affect the fish growth, reproduction, health and survival and also interferes in its quality. Physical, chemical and biological processes can determine the appropriate water quality in ponds for cultivation. Due to eutrophication of aquatic environments, the specialized literature has already reported problems with an incidence of off flavor in fish, as well as the occurrence of cyanotoxins in water and fish. It is necessary to make the monitoring of cyanobacteria species potentially toxin producers, and substances that cause off flavor like geosmin as well as the score and study management and environmental factors that lead to the occurrence of some species of cyanobacteria, seeking a more social, environmental, economic and sustainable fishing sector