The prevailing development pattern of sprawling suburbs prevents sustainability and can no longer be tolerated . Since the end of WWII the "American Dream" to own a single - family home on a large lot away from the blight of downtowns has greatly reduced the quality of life of North Americans. To reverse this trend sustainable development/ sustainability must be society’s goal. This means that the actions of society - particularly where community development/design is concerned - must promote environmental integrity, economic vitality , and social well - being . The recent New Urbanism Movement which focuses on community development/design makes this important realization . In doing so, it has fostered a series of alternative methods of community development/design which promote environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well-being. The most prominent examples are Traditional Neighbourhood Development, Transit Oriented Development, and, more recently in Canada, the Metropolitain Purlieu . However, these concepts are not panaceas to sustainability and can gain further insight from earlier development/design projects such as Village Homes in California . By combining the best of the ideas from these concepts and supplementing them with further ideas a concept which further enhances environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well - being is developed. However, such a concept is only useful if it can be successfully implemented. Thus, prominent barriers to sustainable community development/design such as uncertainty over cost and marketability , and inadequate regulations / guidelines to allow for or promote alternative methods of development/design must be overcome. One method of achieving this is through the use of the performance point system which is devised here. Regardless of the method of implementation used to enhance the environmental integrity , economic vitality , and social well-being of a community, it is clear that immediate action is required . Without it, the quality of life of North Americans will continue to deteriorate and sustainability will not be realized . / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

MCom (Business Information Systems) / Deparment of Business Information Systems / The extent of success of a given project can be increased by using an appropriate Project Management Methodology (PMM) that takes into account the specific characteristics of the project (such as complexity, size, budget, nature of risk, etc.). PMMs have evolved over the years to become more diverse, complex, with evolving and dynamic ICT platforms. Such PMMs have traditionally been used as frameworks to guide the project management process for decision makers (such as Project Managers, Project Owners and Project Teams). The choice of selecting an appropriate project methodology is daunting; apart from other considerations related to project characteristics such as budget, scope, schedule, performance and resource constraints. One of the vital stages of a successful software development project is selecting a good software development methodology that best suits that project. The aim of this research is to investigate the critical factors to be considered by project managers in the selection of the software development methodology for the project. These critical factors are then used as a foundation for an architecture for an “unbounded rule-based expert system. A survey was conducted amongst project managers to determine the critical factors necessary for the selection of a software development methodology. From the findings of the study, it was established the critical factors revolved around three constructs of Project Excellence Enablers, Excellent Project Management Practices, and Business Value Proposition factors. The findings from this study therefore provided a rationale and a basis for the evolution of an “Unbounded Rule-Based Expert Systems Architecture” as a basis for the selection of the right software development methodology / NRF

No description available.

M. Tech. (Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / There are many software development methodologies that are used to control the process of developing a software system. However, no exact system has been found which could help software engineers in selecting the best software development methodology (SDM). The increasing complexity of software development today has led to complex management of software systems. This complexity increases the challenges faced by professionals in selecting the most appropriate SDM to adopt in a project. This is important because the wrong choice of methodology is costly for the organization as it may impact on deliveries, maintenance costs, budget projects and reliability. In this study we propose a decision support framework to assist professionals in the selection of appropriate software development methodologies that would fit each organisation and project setting. The case based reasoning (CBR) methodology was implemented in this study. This methodology focuses on problem solving that centres on the reutilization of past experiences. The CBR methodology was implemented using the SQL programming language. We tested the precision of the decision support framework by comparing the recommended methodology to the actual software methodology that was adopted for the project. The DS framework recorded an 80% precision result. In addition, the findings contribute to reducing the software crisis faced by today’s professionals. Therefore the framework can be adopted as a reliable tool for methodology selection in software development projects.

There has long been a recognition that efficient transport plays a key role in supporting a dynamic economy and a high quality of life. However, traffic increases along with population and income, and traffic congestion and accidents are negative results of this increase, as is environmental damage. There has been a need for a methodology to evaluate user, nonuser benefits and the environmental impacts of transportation investments and policies through rational, objective scientific analysis. This research aims to develop a methodology, termed the Transportation/Development Methodology, for evaluating transportation policies and projects, and also, to clarify the relationships between transportation investment and economic productivity. Transportation/Development Methodology, or TDM, conceptualizes the role of transportation in a broad socioeconomic and environmental context and enables scenario analysis. In addition to the development of the TDM, this research comprises a critique and discussion of the primary methodologies used for evaluating transportation effects. In both transportation and development management, policy processes tend to proceed in nearly total isolation from ongoing planning activities in estimating impacts induced by transportation investments and policies. To overcome that imbalance for current models, TDM uses a system dynamics approach and adopts concepts from other methodologies, such as Input-Output analysis, the Lowry Model, and the Urban Transportation Planning Process (UTPP). Finally, this research demonstrates the TDM by applying it in an analysis of a “real-life” situation, the Interstate 81 corridor, which goes through six states of the United States as a backbone of both passenger and freight transport. Development scenarios for improving regional economies, as well as for giving better service and reducing congestion, are analyzed by the TDM im order to evaluate their effectiveness. Application of the TDM to the I-81 corridor generates significant conclusions that would not have been possible using existing methodologies. / Ph. D.

目前資訊系統之建置多為求速成而以採購所謂解決方案的套裝系統或元件拼裝為主，雖然此舉帶來軟體再用效益使建置成本降低但由於實施過程抽象化不足使得欲讓系統適應用戶環境時客製化困難且各套裝系統詞彙標準不一也造成資料整合時語意混淆，導致空有外殼讓系統與組織扞格不入而無法帶來實質效益。本研究所提之系統發展方法即是為解決上述情況以本體論為概念描述基礎分從靜態資料觀點、動態流程觀點及資訊技術觀點出發進而彙整發展具彈性與再用性之資訊系統。 本研究過程是植基於設計科學的系統發展研究方法論，將資訊系統開發流程分為五個階段，並根據設計科學的定義，驗證研究結果的四項產出：構件、模型、方法與實例，希從學術的嚴謹面提昇產出結果的品質。並藉著探討分析運用本研究之發展方法建置出的個案，其所得到之結果足以供後繼者建置或改善知識管理相關系統做參考。 / In these few decades, many organizations pursued of e-Solutions by selecting so-call off-the-shelf packages or mixed 3rd party components to promote the reusing value and reduce the cost of implementation. However, there is no single solution suitable for all types of organization and customized or hybrid system must be inevitable to face the consistency problem. We believe the proper abstraction and ontological commitment can help in these situations. From this point of view, we propose the information system development methodology which is aiming to implement the flexible and reusable ontology driven information system from the view of static domain data, dynamic workflow and abstract technology. In this study, we conduct the system development research methodology based on design science. In order to easily note, we divide the research process into five stages. According to the criteria of design science, we will examine the research results: constructs, models, methods and instantiations for consolidating the quality of research outputs. Besides, we will show the cases which are implemented by proposed methodology for further study and suggestion of improving present system development issues.

Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base. Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies. Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools. Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Since the late 1970s much interest has been shown in the development of electric guitar technique. Advances have been considerable, enabling players to explore new genres and repertoires but development methodologies have remained woefully fragmented. A new approach that sets out to promote electric guitar technique with development methodology is the purpose of this study. To this end, a process of transcription combined with an advanced technical analysis has been undertaken including a full categorization of the technical subgroups extant within each Caprice. The hypothesis behind this task has been to ascertain whether a ‘technical essence’ could be discovered in the Caprices and how that could be imparted in the process of transcription. Transcribing the 24 Caprices for the electric guitar disclosed the technical components required for development which were then reduced to their constitute elements. The virtuosity and variation within the Caprices ensured that the each identified technique was developed to a high degree. The subjective nature of transcription ensured that multiple solutions were explored when a single solution to a technical problem was not obvious. The analysis section of the study demonstrated that three fundamental techniques were required to play all 24 Caprices: alternate-picking, sweep-picking, and hammer-ons and pull-offs. The analyses also provided trends showing how each technique needed to be developed to comprehensively cover all twenty-four pieces. In conclusion, the hypothesis was found to be correct.

Greitas internetinių svetainių skaičiaus padidėjimas per paskutinius keletą metų rodo informacijos, pasiekiamos internetu, svarbą. Daug įmonių kuria internetines svetaines, bet jie susiduria su problemomis, susijusiomis su reikalavimų pasikeitimais kūrimo eigoje. Šiame darbe nagrinėjama Agile požiūrio pritaikymo galimybės internetinėms svetainėms kurti. Darbe atlikta jau esamų metodų analizė, kuri parodė, kad internetinių svetainių kūrimui nėra visiškai tinkamo metodo, todėl darbo uždavinys - sukurti metodą, paremtą Scrum ir FDD savybėmis internetinių svetainių kūrimui. / A fast increase in the number of web sites the last years, shows the importance of information existing in web sites giving the possibility for users to have access to it. Many companies create websites, but they face problems related with requirements changing until the developing process completes. In this work you will find analysis of software development methods. Agile approach allows changing requirements even in last phase of the developing process. Creating a web site does not follow one single path and there is no ideal method creating a web site. In this dissertation will be analyzed a method for web sites development based on Agile approach.

Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base. Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies. Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools. Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014