O avanço recente da tecnologia na área de sistemas digitais representa uma grande oportunidade para realizar um importante progresso em diversos aspectos dos sistemas de controle e proteção tradicionais. No entanto, os requisitos provenientes do uso intensivo de software em sistemas críticos de segurança, aumenta a demanda por uma abordagem adequada que possa ser baseada na experiência nesta área. Apesar de vários modelos de capacidade de maturidade estarem em constante desenvolvimento, ainda é um desafio estabelecer uma forma coerente para a melhoria e avaliação do processo de desenvolvimento de software. O objetivo desta pesquisa é propor um método para obtenção de perfis de capacidade baseados na aplicação do modelo de referência brasileiro para melhoria do processo de software MR-MPS, em conjunto com a extensão de segurança do modelo de capacidade e maturidade CMMI-DEV +SAFE, embasado pela percepção de especialistas em segurança por meio da aplicação de um modelo de decisão por múltiplos critérios. / The recent technology advance in the digital systems area represents a great opportunity to make important progress in many aspects of traditional control and protection systems. However, requirements derived from the intensive use of software in safety critical systems raises the demand for a suitable approach that can be based on the expertise in this area. Although a number of capability maturity models have been in constant development, it is still challenging to establish a coherent path for software process improvement and evaluation. The goal of this research work is to propose a method for building capability profiles based on the application of the Brazilian Reference Model for Software Process Improvement MR-MPS, along with the Capability Maturity Model for Development safety extension CMMI-DEV +SAFE, supported by safety engineers insight through the application of a multi criteria decision model.

O avanço recente da tecnologia na área de sistemas digitais representa uma grande oportunidade para realizar um importante progresso em diversos aspectos dos sistemas de controle e proteção tradicionais. No entanto, os requisitos provenientes do uso intensivo de software em sistemas críticos de segurança, aumenta a demanda por uma abordagem adequada que possa ser baseada na experiência nesta área. Apesar de vários modelos de capacidade de maturidade estarem em constante desenvolvimento, ainda é um desafio estabelecer uma forma coerente para a melhoria e avaliação do processo de desenvolvimento de software. O objetivo desta pesquisa é propor um método para obtenção de perfis de capacidade baseados na aplicação do modelo de referência brasileiro para melhoria do processo de software MR-MPS, em conjunto com a extensão de segurança do modelo de capacidade e maturidade CMMI-DEV +SAFE, embasado pela percepção de especialistas em segurança por meio da aplicação de um modelo de decisão por múltiplos critérios. / The recent technology advance in the digital systems area represents a great opportunity to make important progress in many aspects of traditional control and protection systems. However, requirements derived from the intensive use of software in safety critical systems raises the demand for a suitable approach that can be based on the expertise in this area. Although a number of capability maturity models have been in constant development, it is still challenging to establish a coherent path for software process improvement and evaluation. The goal of this research work is to propose a method for building capability profiles based on the application of the Brazilian Reference Model for Software Process Improvement MR-MPS, along with the Capability Maturity Model for Development safety extension CMMI-DEV +SAFE, supported by safety engineers insight through the application of a multi criteria decision model.

Contexto: Apesar de existirem muitas informações sobre a área de teste de software, elas se encontram de forma dispersa e sem conexão, o que aumenta a já existente dificuldade por parte de usuários em compreender os conceitos e as tecnologias dessa área e, conseqüentemente, em tomar a decisão de onde e quando usálas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi criar o arcabouço KITest (Knowledge and Improvement on Test) capaz de agregar o conhecimento em teste e disponibilizá-lo para a comunidade com a intenção de facilitar a sua transferência, a definição e a melhoria de processos de teste, com mais qualidade. Metodologia: Para facilitar a transferência de conhecimento modelou-se o conhecimento em teste por meio de um processo genérico de teste organizado em um mapa mental (KITMap). Para contemplar a questão de qualidade estabeleceu-se como base as práticas do modelo TMMi, distribuídas no processo de teste genérico. Para permitir que a comunidade interaja com essa base de conhecimento em teste criou-se uma ferramenta (KITTool) que permita acesso a essas informações, faça diagnóstico do processo de teste vigente e sugira melhorias. Para gerenciar toda essa estrutura utilizou-se uma estratégia de melhoria para que essa estrutura esteja sempre em evolução com base na realimentação da comunidade que a utiliza. Resultados e Conclusões: os resultados e as conclusões sobre a aplicação do arcabouço KITest estão apresentados no relatório técnico anexo a esta tese / Background: Although there is much information about the software testing area, they are dispersed and disconnected, thus hardening the understanding of concepts and technologies within this area. Consequently, this increases the difficulty on making decisions on where and when to use such testing-related information. Objective: The objective of this work was to create the KITest framework (Knowledge and Improvement on Test) aiming at aggregating knowledge of software testing and making it available to the community. The purpose of KITest is facilitating the knowledge transfer and supporting the definition and improvement of testing processes with respect to its quality. Methodology: Aiming to facilitate the knowledge transfer, the testingrelated knowledge was modeled through a generic testing process organized as a mental map (KITMap). TMMi was chosen as the underlying model to address the intended quality issues. The TMMi practices were distributed into the general testing process. To allow the communitys interaction with the testing knowledge base, we created a tool named KITTool. The tool allows the access to the testing-related information, supports the diagnosis of the current testing process and the suggestion of improvements to it. To manage all this structure, an improvement strategy is used to maintain a continuous evolution based on the communitys feedback. Results and Conclusions: The results and conclusions on the implementation of the KITest framework are described in the technical report that is attached to this dissertation

Extended hospital length of stay (LOS) causes increased health care costs and incidence of never events, such as hospital-acquired infections, pressure ulcers, and falls, which are not reimbursed by Medicare. This study examined if there would be a statistically significant decrease in the LOS of patients after the implementation of a discharge process improvement initiative (DPII), The model for improvement and small tests of change concept were used to guide the DPII at a hospital in northern California. Sources of data included archival data obtained from the hospital's quality improvement department that showed LOS prior to and after the implementation of the DPII. The LOS for 2015 and 2017 were compared using the t test for independent samples. The LOS in 2015 was longer (M = 4.59, SD = 3.66) than in 2017 (M = 4.09, SD = 3.81), a statistically significant difference, M = 0.50, 95% CI [0.32, 0.67], t (77) = 5.574, p = .005, d = 1.3, showing that the implementation of the DPII led to a reduction in the LOS. This reduction cannot be attributed solely to the DPII because other projects were implemented at the same time, such as the Clinical Decisions Unit and multidisciplinary rounds. Future research could focus on the relationship between reduced LOS and readmission and the degree of collaboration among health care team members. The implications of this study for social change include the potential to lower health care costs and increase patients' awareness of their responsibility for their own health.

Nonprofit organization leaders face increased performance and sustainability challenges due to reduced funding. Approximately 72% of nonprofit revenues required for the sustainability of nonprofit organizations come from program services, which are threatened by ineffective improvement strategies and reduced program funding. Using the conceptual framework of total quality management, the purpose of this multicase study was to explore strategies that nonprofit leaders use to implement successful continuous improvement programs to increase revenue. The population for this study was leaders of nonprofit organizations in Delaware. Participants were purposefully selected for their successful experience in implementing continuous improvement strategies in nonprofit organizations. Data were collected via semistructured face-to-face interviews from 4 nonprofit organization leaders and review of publicly accessible, online organizational documents related to the implementation of continuous improvement programs. Data were analyzed using methodological triangulation through inductive coding of phrases and words. Three themes emerged from this study: leadership strategies for holistic focus on process improvement, leadership focus on organizational strategy, and specific focus on functions of leadership. Nonprofit leaders should embrace continuous improvement applications traditionally applied in for-profit sectors. Nonprofit leaders could apply continuous improvement strategies to enhance performance and boost revenue. Implications for positive social change include developing sustainability and longevity in nonprofit organizations to help nonprofit leaders address larger problems, such as homelessness, disease, lack of cultural acceptance, and environmental sustainability.

The National Quality Award Program, sponsored by the American Healthcare Association National Center for Assisted Living, was implemented to cultivate continuous quality improvement in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Based upon the Baldridge Criteria for Performance Excellence, the program utilizes a systems-based or Big “Q” approach to quality and requires applicants to examine seven categories of their organizational environment including: 1) leadership, 2) strategy, 3) customers, 4) measurement, analysis, and knowledge management, 5) workforce, 6) operations, and 7) results. The subsequent dissertation examines whether award status is associated with better performance on publicly reported quality measures and financial performance within the nursing home setting. Findings suggest implementation of Baldridge principles may promote improved quality; however, further research is warranted to fully understand the relationship.

Quality management (QM) is a holistic management philosophy that emphasises the involvement of every employee at different levels of an organization to achieve customer satisfaction and improve organizational effectiveness through continuous process improvement. There has been a rising interest among service sector professionals in examining the applicability and usefulness of quality management methods in service organisations. Many service organisations that have implemented quality management has achieved substantial benefits, but it is clear that implementation initiatives in some organisations have failed to live up to expectations. These mixed results point to a need to identify the factors that lie behind the success and failures of quality management programs. Empirical research in this area is extremely limited. The results of the study point to the importance of the role of employee support and encouragement of departmental co-operation for the successful implementation of quality management programs. These factors were found to be important not only initially, but also throughout the whole implementation period of QM programs. Another interesting finding is the relationship between QM success and implementation issues concerning internal organisational communication, corporate cultural change, and internal marketing. Significant differences exist in the way that each of these factors are practised and emphasised across organisations. Respondents rated the way in which they drew upon the culture, communication pattern and other behaviour to promote QM within the organisation. They also rated how important they thought these various activities were. It was found when these factors were emphasised in QM programs the chance of successful implementation was increased. Implications for quality management professionals and suggestions for further research are discussed / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

「流程改善」是任何組織追求卓越、提升競爭力的根本方法，美國卡內基美隆大學軟體工程學院(CMU-SEI)集結經實作證明，可有效提升軟體品質的最佳實作方法成為CMMI，提供開發型組織流程改善的依循準則。繼開發方CMMI (CMMI for Development) 的成功推廣與有效運用，籌獲方的CMMI-ACQ(CMMI for Acquisition)因應而生。 CMMI-ACQ乃針對籌獲方採購流程改善之CMMI模式。在委外環境下，籌獲方與開發方應共同築成CMMI-ACQ與CMMI-DEV互動的協同合作關係，使雙方擁有對等、公平、專業的流程溝通基礎，以更有效的方式完成委外專案協同工作。最終目標，就是使整體專案能如期、如質、如預算的完成，提升資訊服務品質。 本論文以CMMI-ACQ的籌獲需求發展、籌獲確認及籌獲驗證流程領域為參考，規劃資訊科技籌獲管理，以UML活動圖表達其互動關係，並以Zachman 5W1H方法研析籌獲管理必要的作業程序，進一步分析、說明其使用案例，以發掘籌獲管理資訊需求，最後以CMMI評鑑檢視表，回顧本論文所提CMMI-ACQ資訊需求架構所提供之直接證據。透過本文研究的過程，期盼提供籌獲組織一個簡單的導入參考。 / Process improvement is the fundamental way to pursue excellence and promote competitive advantages for any organizations. CMU-SEI has gathered the so-called best practices that has been experienced and proven to be effective to establish the CMMI to provide reference guidelines for process improvement in the software development organizations. Following the pervasive adoption of CMMI-DEV (CMMI for Development) for the developers, CMMI-ACQ (CMMI for Acquisition) was developed for the acquirers. CMMI-ACQ focuses on acquisition processes in order to constitute an equal, fair, and professional common platform for effective collaboration in an outsourcing environment. The goal is to achieve the project completion on time with expected quality and budget. This research proposes an information requirement planning approach for IT acquisition management based on CMMI-ACQ, using ARD, AVER and AVAL process areas as examples. Using the UML activity diagram and Zachman 5W1H, this research analyzes the operation procedures and elaborates the information requirements in the use case diagrams and the associated descriptions. Finally, a set of CMMI self appraisal tables are used to review the support evidences provided by the proposed information requirements architecture. This research provides a reference for any acquisition organization to elicit the information requirements for CMMI-ACQ adoption and its supporting system construction.

<p><em>Purpose</em>: this thesis study aims to provide an analysis and an assessment of the current operations’ performance effectiveness at Nobel Biocare’s production plant in Karlskoga, Sweden and to describe the potential for improvement. It intends to clarify the importance of performance measurement and explain Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in particular.Furthermore, it strives to identify causes for inefficiency in production and suggest recommendations to minimize losses.</p><p><em>Methodology:</em> the study is using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in parallel as measurements are implemented to discover effectiveness rates and detect causes for production losses while assessments are made using different models, such as the Capability Maturity Model(CMM) and OEE assessments, in order to evaluate the current development level and the potential for improvement.</p><p><em>Findings:</em> the research finds that major losses are closely related to frequency of changeovers in machining processes, where average effectiveness rates were 68%. In surface treatment and packaging equipment inspected, the values were found to be between 46% and 59% as the major common cause was the absence of work due to unstable flow of orders. Assessing process orientation and maturity levels, the findings indicate on high levels in general. However, areas of weakness were identified in the different processes in which the potential for improvement is embedded. In those areas, lower OEE values were registered; low levels of maturity and process orientation were found, as low development of losses improvement were assessed. The study finally suggests that the areas of weakness suffer from lack of learning orientation that is ought to be improved and at the same time, a variety of specific recommendations are provided.</p>

<p>Purpose:this thesis study aims to provide an analysis and an assessment of the current operations’ performance effectiveness at Nobel Biocare’s production plant in Karlskoga, Sweden and to describe the potential for improvement. It intends to clarify the importance of performance measurement and explain Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in particular. Furthermore, it strives to identify causes for inefficiency in production and suggest recommendations to minimize losses.</p><p>Methodology: the study is using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in parallel as measurements are implemented to discover effectiveness rates and detect causes for production losses while assessments are made using different models, such as the Capability Maturity Model(CMM) and OEE assessments, in order to evaluate the current development level and the potential for improvement.</p><p>Findings: the research finds that major losses are closely related to frequency of changeovers in machining processes, where average effectiveness rates were 68%. In surface treatment and packaging equipment inspected, the values were found to be between 46% and 59% as the major common cause was the absence of work due to unstable flow of orders. Assessing process orientation and maturity levels, the findings indicate on high levels in general. However, areas of weakness were identified in the different processes in which the potential for improvement is embedded. In those areas, lower OEE values were registered; low levels of maturity and process orientation were found, as low development of losses improvement were assessed. The study finally suggests that the areas of weakness suffer from lack of learning orientation that is ought to be improved and at the same time, a variety of specific recommendations are provided.</p>