Context: Knowledge is the major aspect of an organization which enables the enterprise to be more productive and to deliver the high complexity services. Knowledge management plays a key role in agile software development because it supports cultural infrastructure esteems like collaboration, communication, and knowledge transfer. This research aims to explore how organizations that adopts Agile Software Development (ASD) implement knowledge management utilizing practices that supports the key process areas. Several knowledge management maturity models have been proposed over a decade ago but not all of the models that is specially stated knowledge Management Maturity Model (KMMM) for Agile software development. To fulfil this research gap, we introduce the maturity model which emphasize knowledge management in ASD among the practitioners. This maturity model helps to assess their knowledge management in organization and provides a road map to the organizations for any further improvement required in their processes.  Objectives: In this thesis, we investigate the key process areas of knowledge management maturity models that could support agile software development. Through investigation about the key process areas, we found that the organizations should emphasis on key process areas and its practices in order to improve the software process. The objectives of this research include: Explore the key process areas and practices of knowledge management in the knowledge management maturity models.  Identify the views of practitioners on knowledge management practices and key process areas for Agile software development. To propose the maturity model for Knowledge management in Agile software development among the practitioner’s opinions.  Methods: In this research, we conducted two methods: Systematic mapping and Survey to fulfil our aim and objectives. We conducted Systematic mapping study through the snowballing process to investigate empirical literature about Knowledge management maturity models. To triangulate the systematic mapping results, we conducted a survey. From the survey results, we obtained the responses and were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics. Results: From Systematic mapping, we identified 18 articles and analyzed 24 practices of Knowledge management maturity models. These practices are indicated in key process areas such as process, people, technology. Through the systematic mapping results, 9 KM practices that were found from KMMM literature were listed in the survey questionnaire and answered by software engineering practitioners. Moreover, 5 other new practices for agile have suggested in the survey that was not found in KMMM literature. To address the systematic mapping and survey results, we propose the maturity model which emphasize knowledge management practices in ASD among the practitioners. Conclusions: This thesis lists the main elements of practices that are utilized by the organization and also show the usage of maturity levels at each practice in detail. Furthermore, this thesis helps the organization's to assess the current levels of maturity that exist to each practice in a real process. Hence, the researchers can utilize the model from this thesis and further they can improve their Km in organizations.

e-Government services are becoming one of the most important and efficient means by which governments (G) interact with businesses (B) and citizens (C). This has brought not only tremendous opportunities but also serious security challenges. Critical information assets are exposed to current and emerging security risks and threats. In the course of this study, it was learnt that e-government services are heavily guided and benchmarked by e-Government maturity models (eGMMs). However, the models lack built-in security services, technical as well as non-technical; leading to lack of strategic objectives alignment between e-government services and security services. Information security has an important role in mitigating security risks and threats posed to e-government services. Security improves quality of the services offered. In light of the above, the goal of this research work is to propose a framework that would facilitate government organisations to effectively offer appropriate secure e-government services. To achieve this goal, an empirical investigation was conducted in Tanzania involving six government organizations. The investigations were inter-foiled by a sequence of structural compositions resulting in a proposition of a framework for securing e-government services which integrates IT security services into eGMMs. The research work was mainly guided by a design science research approach complemented in parts by systemic-holistic and socio-technical approaches. The thesis contributes to the empirical and theoretical body of knowledge within the computer and systems sciences on securing e-government structures. It encompasses a new approach to secure e-government services incorporating security services into eGMMs. Also, it enhances the awareness, need and importance of security services to be an integral part of eGMMs to different groups such as researched organizations, academia, practitioners, policy and decision makers, stakeholders, and the community. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper nr. 6: In press</p>

This thesis integrates Lean construction (LC) with the organisational assessment method ofmaturity models (MM) and delivers an original contribution to knowledge in the form of avalidated innovative organisational framework to measure the current state of LC maturity,which is called Lean Construction Maturity Model (LCMM). This framework provides andsupports organisations towards the development of greater maturity and subsequentlyenhances the awareness and understanding of LC. The aim of this research was to enableorganisations to measure the gap between their current state and where they want to be interms of embedding LC. Accordingly, the research addressed this aim further by providingbusinesses with support and guidance in their LC maturation process in particular inmeasuring sought improvement in their journey towards greater maturity in LC. The studywas conducted as a qualitative mixed-method design in order to discover and achieve a richunderstanding of the phenomenon of LC maturity from LC key informants and best fulfil theresearch aim. Consequently, a phenomenological approach was utilised, with focus groups(FGs) as the primary study, combined with a group interview as well as individual interviewsas supplementary components. To ensure validity, three different approaches weredeployed: first the triangulation of three different methods to collect the data, second a richand thick-description, and finally the validation of the developed framework by memberchecks in the form of interviews and a FG. The major findings of this research are: thesuccessful integration of MMs and LC achieved through the development of the proposedframework, and the simplification of LC into 11 Key Attributes that explain LC in a simplerand better way than before. This framework defined a LC maturity assessment methodutilising five maturity levels, 11 Key Attributes, which have been described through 60Behaviours, Goals & Practices, and 75 Ideal Statements that more mature organisations willexemplify. Finally, the most important consequence of this work is the enabling oforganisations to obtain a systemic and holistic overview of their current state of LC maturityand providing them with support in their maturation.

In theoretical part, this thesis deals with evolution of term information which must be interpreted right way to continue to larger, more complex systems like information systems. This technical part is supported by proces analysis, which is needed to identify main processes of the organisation. This core proceses can be now supported by ICT in order to improve their efectiveness and performance. Increased quality of these processes is measured by applying maturity model, that can quantify diferencies between new processes and original ones.

In this mini-dissertation the author, through a process of Dialectical analysis, using Interviews (with participants in ICT4D projects), Observations (of ICT4D projects) and Document analysis (of documentation about ICT4D projects), attempts to define what is necessary for the technical success of an ICT4D (Information and Communication System for Development) project. The author attempts this definition by using technical maturity models as a basis for determining what the current level of success or sustainability for an ICT4D project is. The author goes further by defining and creating his own technical maturity model, for ICT4D projects, and then refining it based on his Observations, a series of Interviews and Document analysis. This final revised model, and the process used to create it, is used to answer the question of whether a technical maturity model can be used in an ICT4D project and to what extent such a model will assist in the sustainability of an ICT4D project. / Dissertation (MPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Informatics / unrestricted

Broader and broader areas of application deployment are covered by semantic technologies recently and in the meantime their scope is increasing constantly. The possibilities of semantic applications are now so vast that they cannot be judged as a single market segment any more. The business skepticism that arises due to the uncertainty of investments in such technologies is only augmented by these differences and picking up on that this thesis concentrates on the aspects that can enable and evaluate not only the economic efficiency of engaging the semantic technologies in a business environment but also the effectiveness of doing so. This work concentrates on the ways of how to prove the differences amongst semantic applications, define their distinct segments based on use-case, and subsequently identify their Critical Success Factors and evaluate them against the real conditions of the applications' deployment with the participation of people involved in their development. Following the results of these interactions this thesis presents an innovative approach that enables to construct models for judging the maturity of enterprises for the deployment of the respective applications including the actual construction of these models for all the identified applications' use-cases segments. Moreover, in a later part of the work the evaluation using these models is demonstrated on AQUA application (outcome of a project the author did personally partake in) along with sketching additional specifics that may help the timely assessment of semantics in certain cases. The results presented in later chapters are supported by the underlying background researches in the fields of Semantic Technologies and IT assessment both of whose state-of-the-art methods are described here. Usability of the current standardized methods (such as those used in COBIT) for assessing semantic applications is also considered with respect to the lack of other best practices in business deployment of semantics.

The main purpose of this thesis is to develop a data quality scorecard (DQS) that aligns the data quality needs of the Data warehouse stakeholder group with selected data quality dimensions. To comprehend the research domain, a general and systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out, after which the research scope was established. Using Design Science Research (DSR) as the methodology to structure the research, three iterations were carried out to achieve the research aim highlighted in this thesis. In the first iteration, as DSR was used as a paradigm, the artefact was build from the results of the general and systematic literature review conduct. A data quality scorecard (DQS) was conceptualised. The result of the SLR and the recommendations for designing an effective scorecard provided the input for the development of the DQS. Using a System Usability Scale (SUS), to validate the usability of the DQS, the results of the first iteration suggest that the DW stakeholders found the DQS useful. The second iteration was conducted to further evaluate the DQS through a run through in the FMCG domain and then conducting a semi-structured interview. The thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews demonstrated that the stakeholder's participants' found the DQS to be transparent; an additional reporting tool; Integrates; easy to use; consistent; and increases confidence in the data. However, the timeliness data dimension was found to be redundant, necessitating a modification to the DQS. The third iteration was conducted with similar steps as the second iteration but with the modified DQS in the oil and gas domain. The results from the third iteration suggest that DQS is a useful tool that is easy to use on a daily basis. The research contributes to theory by demonstrating a novel approach to DQS design This was achieved by ensuring the design of the DQS aligns with the data quality concern areas of the DW stakeholders and the data quality dimensions. Further, this research lay a good foundation for the future by establishing a DQS model that can be used as a base for further development.

A necessidade de desenvolvimento da integração dos fluxos de transformação de produtos e informações em condomínios industriais automotivos conduz à avaliação e proposição de práticas de forma alinhada com a estratégia da cadeia e das empresas integrantes. Nesse contexto, duas questões tornam-se relevantes: (i) qual a estrutura conceitual lógica que poderia suportar a avaliação e a melhoria do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos em condomínios industriais automotivos? (ii) considerando a utilização de modelos de avaliação de maturidade, qual seria o método a ser utilizado para orientar as empresas na avaliação e melhoria do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos em condomínios industriais automotivos? Buscando responder a essas questões, esta tese tem como objetivo geral propor um modelo para avaliação e melhoria do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos em condomínios industriais automotivos suportado por níveis de maturidade. Para alcançar esse objetivo, a pesquisa propõe a estruturação do modelo utilizando 7 (sete) etapas e sugere um método contemplando 5 fases e 16 etapas. Para tanto, inicialmente, utiliza-se a estrutura de análise da cadeia de suprimentos proposta por Lambert e Cooper (2000). Segue a proposta de utilização integrada de procedimentos metodológicos sugeridos por Hansen (2004) para desdobramento da competitividade da cadeia e método Multiattribute Utility Theory (MAUT). Por fim, apresenta-se um modelo maturidade híbrido, e por Netland e Alfnes (2008) para avaliação do grau de execução de práticas. Como principal contribuição tem-se um procedimento gráfico para identificação e priorização de áreas-chave a serem foco de desenvolvimento suportado por conceitos de maturidade e estratégia. / The need to develop the integration of information and processing products flows in automotive industrial condominium leading to the evaluation and practical proposition so aligned with chain and business members strategy. In this context, two questions become relevant: (i) what is the logic conceptual framework that could support the evaluation and improvement of supply chain management in automotive industrial condominium? considering the use of evaluation maturity models, what is the method to be used to guide companies in evaluating and improving the supply chain management in automotive industrial condominium? Seeking to answer these questions, this thesis aims to propose a model for assessing and improving the supply chain management in automotive industrial condominium supported by maturity levels. To achieve this goal, the research proposes the structure of the model using 7 (seven) steps and suggests a method comprising five phases and 16 steps.For that, initially, using the structure analysis of the supply chain proposed by Lambert and Cooper (2000).Follows the proposal of the integrated use of methodological procedures suggested by Hansen (2004) to deployment the competitiveness of the chain and Multiattribute Utility Theory (MAUT) method. Finally, we present a hybrid maturity model that incorporates methodological procedures suggested by Kerzner (2002) to assess the degree of adherence of the maturity levels of the key application areas and Netland and Alfnes (2008) to assess the degree of execution practices. As its main contribution has a graphical procedure for identifying and prioritizing key-areas to be development supported by concepts of maturity and strategy.

Informationstechnologie (IT) ist im heutigen Marktumfeld für viele Unternehmen längst zu einem erfolgsrelevanten Faktor geworden. Den Management- und Controllingprozessen von IT-Projekten ist somit besondere Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen, da sie die IT-Fähigkeiten der gesamten Organisation maßgeblich beeinflussen. Um diese Prozesse zu bewerten und zielgerichtet weiterzuentwickeln, sind Reifegradmodelle (Maturity Models) ein effektives Instrument. Für den speziellen Bereich des IT-Projektmanagements und -controllings existiert bereits eine Vielzahl von Reifegradmodellen. Obwohl einer der meistgenannten Nutzenaspekte von Reifegradmodellen in der Verbesserung der Prozesse liegt, ist die Erfolgsquote von IT-Projekten gering. Die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig, liegen jedoch in erster Linie in einer unzureichenden Planung, Steuerung und Kontrolle des Projektverlaufs, zu geringer Beachtung von Projektinterdependenzen sowie einer fehlenden Ausrichtung der Prozesse an einer übergeordneten Strategie (Business-ITAlignment). In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden daher einige weit verbreitete Reifegradmodelle analysiert und gegenübergestellt. Es wird unter anderem untersucht, inwiefern bestehende Reifegradmodelle zum IT-Projektmanagement die wichtigen Teilaspekte des IT-Projektcontrollings sowie des Business-IT-Alignments abbilden. Die Untersuchung zeigt vor allem zwei Schwachstellen: Zum einen fokussieren viele Modelle bei der Prozessbetrachtung lediglich auf die operative Ebene und vernachlässigen strategische Aspekte des IT-Projektmanagements und -controllings. Zum anderen liefern zwar alle Modelle eine Beschreibung der Ist-Situation, können aber kaum konkrete Hinweise oder Handlungsanweisungen zur Verbesserung der Prozesse bereitstellen. Aufgrund dieser Erkenntnisse wird ein Ansatz für ein Reifegradmodell entwickelt, welcher die identifizierten Problembereiche adressiert. Besonders die Verknüpfung strategischer und operativer Elemente des Einzel- und Multiprojektcontrollings, die Beachtung spezieller Merkmale von IT-Projekten sowie der Vorschlag konkreter Maßnahmen und Controllinginstrumente zur Prozessverbesserung können einen erheblichen Mehrwert zu bereits vorhandenen Modellen erzeugen. Das entwickelte Modell trägt somit zum Verständnis der Relevanz eines erfolgreichen IT-Projektcontrollings bei, hilft durch seine Spezialisierung die entsprechenden Prozesse genauer zu analysieren und gibt praktische Hinweise zur gezielten Verbesserung. Für eine empirische Validierung und Weiterentwicklung sind jedoch weitere Studien notwendig.

[pt] O crescente uso da simulação computacional de eventos discretos nos sistemas produtivos levou as empresas especializadas a desenvolverem e ofertarem no mercado uma ampla variedade de softwares com diferentes características e custos. Assim, a escolha correta de um simulador é de extrema importância, já que uma seleção incorreta pode levar a consequências negativas nos resultados e, por conseguinte, no desempenho organizacional. Nesse contexto, foi possível identificar que há uma lacuna a ser suprida no tocante à seleção de um software de simulação que considere as necessidades dos usuários. Esta tese tem como objetivo, por conseguinte, apresentar uma metodologia estruturada em duas etapas para avaliação e seleção de softwares de simulação de eventos discretos para manufaturas. Na primeira etapa propôs-se um quadro de avaliação dos processos operacionais com base nos modelos de maturidade. Dessa maneira, será possível analisar se a empresa em estudo possui algumas das condições básicas para se adotar a simulação computacional. Na segunda etapa propôs-se um conjunto de critérios que servirá de base para analisar e selecionar os softwares de simulação. A seleção será feita por meio do uso do método AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), utilizado na resolução de problemas de multicritérios. Tanto a avaliação dos processos operacionais quanto a ponderação do conjunto de critérios serão feitas através da aplicação de questionários, de modo a identificar as necessidades específicas dos processos. Quatro aplicações práticas foram feitas com o modelo proposto, e os seus resultados foram apresentados descrevendo as análises realizadas durante a execução dos trabalhos. / [en] The increasing use of discrete event simulation in production systems led the specialized companies to develop and to offer market a wide range of software with different features and costs. Thus, the correct choice of a simulator is extremely important, since an incorrect selection can lead to negative consequences in the results and hence on organizational performance. In this context, it was possible to identify that there is a gap to be met regarding the selection of simulation software that consider the needs of users. Consequently this thesis aims to present a methodology structured in two stages for the evaluation and selection of discrete event simulation software for manufacturers. In the first stage it was proposed an evaluation framework of operational processes based on maturity models. In this way, it will be possible to analyze whether the company under study has some of the basic conditions to adopt the computer simulation. In the second stage it was proposed a set of criteria as a basis to analyze and select the simulation software. Selection will be made through the use of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) used in multi-criteria problem solving. Both the assessment of operational processes as a set of criteria weighing will be made through the use of questionnaires in order to identify the specific needs of the processes. Four practical applications were made with the proposed model and its results were presented describing the analysis performed during the execution of the work. Four practical applications were made with the proposed model and its results were presented describing the analysis performed during the execution of the work.