<p>Performance monitoring in communication networks, which isthe main topic of this thesis, is an essential part ofperformance and network management. The applications cover anumber of different areas such as daily operations andmaintenance, usage information for billing purposes, customerreports, traffic control, planning, and dimensioning.</p><p>The main purpose of the thesis is to develop a single methodfor measurement of the most significant network performanceparameters in IP networks. It is a continuation from a previouslicentiate thesis that focused on performance monitoring incell-based networks.</p><p>The development of a measurement method that combines activeand passive approaches using monitoring blocks is the maincontribution of this work. A traffic flow performance meterbased on these principles has been implemented as an extensionto the open source flow meter NeTraMet and tested. Theresolution and precision of the results are determined by thesize of the monitoring block, which is the method’s mainparameter. Relevant statistical issues regarding packet lossesand delays are analysed. Finally, the measurement method isdiscussed in the context of applications, as well as networkand service management systems in general.</p>

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The overarching goal of this thesis is to provide an algorithm-centric approach to analyzing the relationship between time, energy, and power. This research is aimed at algorithm designers and performance tuners so that they may be able to make decisions on how algorithms should be designed and tuned depending on whether the goal is to minimize time or to minimize energy on current and future systems. First, we present a simple analytical cost model for energy and power. Assuming a simple von Neumann architecture with a two-level memory hierarchy, this model pre- dicts energy and power for algorithms using just a few simple parameters, such as the number of floating point operations (FLOPs or flops) and the amount of data moved (bytes or words). Using highly optimized microbenchmarks and a small number of test platforms, we show that although this model uses only a few simple parameters, it is, nevertheless, accurate. We can also visualize this model using energy “arch lines,” analogous to the “rooflines” in time. These “rooflines in energy” allow users to easily assess and com- pare different algorithms’ intensities in energy and time to various target systems’ balances in energy and time. This visualization of our model gives us many inter- esting insights, and as such, we refer to our analytical model as the energy roofline model. Second, we present the results of our microbenchmarking study of time, energy, and power costs of computation and memory access of several candidate compute- node building blocks of future high–performance computing (HPC) systems. Over a dozen server-, desktop-, and mobile-class platforms that span a range of compute and power characteristics were evaluated, including x86 (both conventional and Xeon Phi accelerator), ARM, graphics processing units (GPU), and hybrid (AMD accelerated processing units (APU) and other system–on–chip (SoC)) processors. The purpose of this study was twofold; first, it was to extend the validation of the energy roofline model to a more comprehensive set of target systems to show that the model works well independent of system hardware and microarchitecture; second, it was to improve the model by uncovering and remedying potential shortcomings, such as incorporating the effects of power “capping,” multi–level memory hierarchy, and different implementation strategies on power and performance. Third, we incorporate dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) into the energy roofline model to explore its potential for saving energy. Rather than the more traditional approach of using DVFS to reduce energy, whereby a “slack” in computation is used as an opportunity to dynamically cycle down the processor clock, the energy roofline model can be used to determine precisely how the time and energy costs of different operations, both compute and memory, change with respect to frequency and voltage settings. This information can be used to target a specific optimization goal, whether that be time, energy, or a combination of both. In the final chapter of this thesis, we use our model to predict the energy dissi- pation of a real application running on a real system. The fast multipole method (FMM) kernel was executed on the GPU component of the Tegra K1 SoC under various frequency and voltage settings and a breakdown of instructions and data ac- cess pattern was collected via performance counters. The total energy dissipation of FMM was then calculated as a weighted sum of these instructions and the associated costs in energy. On eight different voltage and frequency settings and eight different algorithm–specific input parameters per setting, for a total of 64 total test cases, the accuracy of the energy roofline model for predicting total energy dissipation was within 6.2%, with a standard deviation of 4.7%, when compared to actual energy measurements. Despite its simplicity and its foundation on the first principles of algorithm anal- ysis, the energy roofline model has proven to be both practical and accurate for real applications running on a real system. And as such, it can be an invaluable tool for al- gorithm designers and performance tuners with which they can more precisely analyze the impact of their design decisions on both performance and energy efficiency.

Shakespeare at Winedale is one of the most unique and extensive Shakespeare-through-performance programs in the nation, yet it has not received much critical attention. This report suggests that Shakespeare at Winedale's innovations deserve closer attention, as they can provide insights on what can be possible with a "total immersion" performance approach with Shakespeare. The report examines: 1) the cultural and historical elements that came together to create the program, including the story of how program founder James Ayres first brought students out to Winedale; 2) the unique pedagogical advantages of the Winedale setting and the learning opportunities it invites; 3) an attempt to place Shakespeare at Winedale somewhat in context of both the cultural currents of the time and the growing acceptance in the academy of the performance approach; 4) a description of Winedale's emphasis on play as an approach to the text; 5) Ayres's idea of the "second play" that is possible through the sense of community fostered at Winedale. The report is aimed primarily at teachers interested in new insights into the value of the performance approach, but also at any students and teachers of Shakespeare. / text

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This thesis explores the challenges (visual, aural, ethical, and spiritual) performers face when playing mbira dzavadzimu, a traditional Zimbabwean musical lamellophone, in a contemporary concert stage setting. In addition to examining historical, philosophical, and theoretical issues regarding changing performance practice and staging techniques in different contexts, the document includes analyses of mbira performances from internet video postings and documentary films. Analysis draws upon the personal testimonies of Zimbabwean musicians and involves the critique and application of theoretical perspectives of Adrienne Kaeppler, Richard Schechner, and Erving Goffman, among others. Results indicate that experimenting with stage set-up, utilizing technological enhancement, and encouraging audience-performer relationships creates an experience that is closer to that found in Zimbabwean mbira performances.

<p>This research report, explores the challenges contributing to a non-effective implementation of performance and development management system at the Department of Social Development in Eastern Cape. My argument is that although the system has been fully implemented throughout the province and in all the layers of the department, there are still challenges that contribute to its ineffective implementation of this system. This research report debates a range of issues such as: challenges that revolve around the lack of proper&nbsp / knowledge and training in staff, non-alignment of performance contracts with operations of the department, attitudes of officials towards the system itself and the desired&nbsp / institution&rsquo / s operation that may contribute to its performance and achieve its objective of effective service delivery meaningfully. The research report also explores the paradigm shift&nbsp / of the department from a traditional &lsquo / welfarish&rsquo / approach to a one that focuses on social development. This research especially seeks to understand how the department seeks to plan for institutional change that will promote delivery its services to communities more. The reason for this focus derives from department is practice to provide services sectoralyand not in an integrated manner. Hence the critique, in this research is of the roles and responsibilities of all different layers of the department. This, I specifically argue for re-orientation of the department, not merely institutionally, but also strategically by adopting a social development approach to service delivery.</p>

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Performance management has become vital in any organisation in order to ensure a competitive advantage for organisations in the ever changing environment. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) system, used as a performance management and a performance measurement tool, will ensure that organisational goals and strategic targets are achieved if it is implemented and applied effectively. The BSC system is a management tool that can be used to transform strategy into action. The use of the BSC system was seen as a problem as used within ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA). This paper includes a literature study on the BSC system as well as an empirical study regarding the application of the BSC system in a steel organisation. Literature on the BSC advises that the objectives, measurements and targets should be aligned with the organisation's strategy and vision to ensure improved long-term performance. In order to ensure alignment to all levels in the organisation the top level scorecard needs to be cascaded to lower levels to ensure that the right strategic goals are followed. The BSC system has a high number of benefits when implemented and applied effectively. An empirical study done at ArcelorMittal's Rolling department on people in different divisions, people on different job levels, people in different age groups and people with different years of service, indicated more or less the same average responses on specific BSC related issues. In general, it was concluded that the BSC is not effectively applied with in Rolling, mainly because of communication issues, a forced distribution approach by senior management, and compensation linked to performance discrepancies. Although the average ratings on BSC related questions came out on fairly average ratings, the majority of people indicated, that the BSC system is not transparent enough, nor is it applied effectively. Various specific conclusions and recommendations were made in order to identify and improve the progression of the BSC system at Rolling going forward. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Performance management has become vital in any organisation in order to ensure a competitive advantage for organisations in the ever changing environment. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) system, used as a performance management and a performance measurement tool, will ensure that organisational goals and strategic targets are achieved if it is implemented and applied effectively. The BSC system is a management tool that can be used to transform strategy into action. The use of the BSC system was seen as a problem as used within ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA). This paper includes a literature study on the BSC system as well as an empirical study regarding the application of the BSC system in a steel organisation. Literature on the BSC advises that the objectives, measurements and targets should be aligned with the organisation's strategy and vision to ensure improved long-term performance. In order to ensure alignment to all levels in the organisation the top level scorecard needs to be cascaded to lower levels to ensure that the right strategic goals are followed. The BSC system has a high number of benefits when implemented and applied effectively. An empirical study done at ArcelorMittal's Rolling department on people in different divisions, people on different job levels, people in different age groups and people with different years of service, indicated more or less the same average responses on specific BSC related issues. In general, it was concluded that the BSC is not effectively applied with in Rolling, mainly because of communication issues, a forced distribution approach by senior management, and compensation linked to performance discrepancies. Although the average ratings on BSC related questions came out on fairly average ratings, the majority of people indicated, that the BSC system is not transparent enough, nor is it applied effectively. Various specific conclusions and recommendations were made in order to identify and improve the progression of the BSC system at Rolling going forward. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.