The development phase of systems engineering is one of the most critical phases in the entire life of a project because it is at that point the majority of the projects technology and committed costs are determined (Buede 2000). Yet, the decision tools available to assist systems engineers in choosing between technology alternatives at this phase are extremely limited, consisting mainly of the financial models of net present value and return on investment. Conceptually, if we view the alternatives available as a portfolio of cost, performance, and schedule options, then we can extend the financial portfolio model of Real Options Analysis (ROA) into system engineering. Such an extension is the first element of my research. However, because there is a need to extend beyond strictly the financial realm, I then introduce an advanced performance model, Technology Options Analysis (TOA), which is employed to address a systems performance options. Technology options, while similar to financial options, use performance dimensions such as availability of current and future technologies, technology risks, and industry clock speeds (Fine 1998). The purpose of Technology Options Analysis is to provide a tool that decision makers can use to understand the value of waiting to make a technology selection until some or all of a technologys performance uncertainty has been resolved. Finally, to create a more complete picture of the decision trade space, I combined Real Options and Technology Options into a unified algorithm that incorporates both performance and cost uncertainty into the decision making process. The aspect of schedule is beyond the scope of this dissertation and is left for future research. Applicability of the models are illustrated in the context of one case study.

Medical decision making is a complex cognitive process involving multiple stakeholders and factors. The increased amount of information, pace at which information is obtained, source of that information, and the experience of the decision maker, both the physician and the patient can affect the medical decision making process. This research investigated two independent factors that may influence decision making: 1) the usage of a medical registry and 2) the influence of the educational background of the decision makers. This research found that registry users and non-users follow different decision making processes; and that registry users utilize the information attained from the registry in their decision making process. Decision makers of varying educational disciplines are influenced differently when presented with difficult medical decisions, and innumeracy skills are limited even in a highly educated population. Finally as medical registries are shown to impact medical decisions, and medical information is increasingly being requested by the general public, it is vital that an understanding of how the educational background of patients may impact their view of the information provided and what other influences may lead one to follow different decision rules.

This research investigates the organizational and collective impacts of participation in industry technology roadmap (ITR) development; further, characteristics of the roadmapping collective make-up and processes that contribute to these impacts are evaluated. A model is developed, relating roadmapping characteristics to organizational and ITR collective impacts of creating an industry roadmap. The model includes: 1) motivations for organizations to participate in the development of an ITR, 2) industry-related motivations for developing a roadmap, 3) stakeholder-based structure and processes used to create the roadmap, 4) characteristics of the roadmap document, 5) industry clockspeed (pace of change), and 6) organizational impacts from ITR development (e.g. technology planning, pace of innovation, collaborative activities and partnerships, implementation of new technologies, etc.). The model is evaluated using survey data obtained from organizational participants (N=128) in ITR development from six industries (concrete, electronics, forest products, magnesium, metal casting, and powder metallurgy). Findings suggest that motivation of an organization to participate in the roadmapping effort, organizational executive support for the effort, and the research and development (R&D) experiential level of an organizational representative in the ITR collective, impact the individual organization; while the aggregate motivation of participating organizations, aggregate R&D experience of the organizational participants, thoroughness and clarity of the roadmap document, and industry clockspeed, correlate with an increased impact on organizations as a collective.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

<p> Managing within social-ecological systems at the landscape scale, such as in the national forests of the Sierra Nevada of California, is challenging to natural resource managers (e.g. the U.S. Forest Service) due to the uncertainties in natural processes and the complexities in social dynamics. Collaborative adaptive management (CAM) has been recently adopted as a viable strategy to diminish uncertainties in natural processes through iterative policy experimentations and adaptations, as well as to overcome conflicting values and goals among diverse environmental stakeholders through fostering and facilitating collaborations. While many CAM studies have focused on evaluating the management impact on natural systems and processes, few have examined the social engagements and dynamics of management itself. To address this knowledge gap, I examined the various social engagements in CAM, particularly the flow of information products, dialogues in public meetings, and social connections among participants, based on my research case study&mdash;the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP). </p><p> SNAMP began in 2005 in response to the USDA National Forest Service's 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment calls for managing the forest using the best information available to protect forests and homes. The participants in the project can be sorted into three primary categories of environmental stakeholders: federal and state environmental agencies, the public and environmental advocacy groups, and university scientists. The project studies the impact of forest fuel reduction treatment on forest health, fire mitigation and prevention, wildlife, and water quality and quantity at two study sites: Last Chance in the northern region of the Sierra forests at Sugar Pine in the southern region. The primary strategies and methods for fostering partnership and facilitating collaboration among the diverse participants are producing science information and making it transparent and publicly accessible, as well as facilitating discussions about such research and management results in public meetings. </p><p> To evaluate the effectiveness of CAM in the case of SNAMP, I used a mixed-methods research approach (i.e. citation analysis, web analytics, content analysis, self-organizing maps, social network analysis), by leveraging available information technologies and tools, to characterize and analyze the flow of digital information products, the outcomes of facilitated discussions in SNAMP public meetings, and the resilience of the social networks in SNAMP. Some of the interesting findings include: 1) Scientific knowledge products, in the form of peer-reviewed journal publications, contributed to knowledge transfer between scientists and environmental managers; 2) facilitated discussions helped environmental stakeholders to stay engaged on the important administrative and research topics through time; 3) the social networks experienced turbulence but remained resilient due to the existence of a committed and consistent core group of environmental stakeholders that represent diverse backgrounds and interests. As the picture of how information, conversation, and social connections contributed to the success of CAM emerged, my dissertation provides recommendations to natural resource managers on how to improve in these areas for future implementations of CAM.</p>

<p> This qualitative interpretative phenomenological study increased the understanding of project managers&rsquo; perception and lived experiences of the primary issues contributing to the success or failure of projects. This study used method triangulation to analyze the experiences of 48 project managers. The study was conducted in three phases, including a pilot study, an open-ended questionnaire, and one-on-one interviews. The project managers&rsquo; lived experiences indicated that stakeholder communication; collaboration; and consensus on governance, leadership methods, definition of requirements, and success criteria during the project initiation stage are critical to achieving higher project success rates. The major themes that emerged from this study are the definition of project success, requirements and success criteria, stakeholder consensus and engagement, transparency, and project management methodologies. Additional research is suggested to determine if there is a relationship among experience, qualifications, certification, and project success or failure and to determine implementable solutions to improve project success rates.</p>

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed September 08, 2009). PDF text: ca. 128 p. UMI publication number: AAT 3352851. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.Hous.Man.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-104).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed Oct. 10, 2007). PDF text: v, 110 p. : ill. (some col.) UMI publication number: AAT 3258768. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.