Abstract The quality of a software product depends largely on the quality of the process that is used to develop it. In small software companies, the development process may be informal or even ad hoc, which causes uncertainty and variation in the product quality. However, quality issues are as important in small companies as in their larger counterparts. To sustain their dynamics and competitiveness, small organizations need to concentrate on the most effective quality assurance methods. Software inspection is a proven method for improving product quality and it provides a very cost-effective way for small companies to improve their development processes. This study introduces a framework for adjusting the inspection process for the organization's specific needs and evaluating its capabilities. The main focus of this work, however, is on refining and improving the inspection process. The improvement is guided by concrete instructions that are documented as process patterns. The pattern approach has already been used successfully in several other areas of software engineering. Patterns aim at capturing the best practices of software development and transferring this knowledge between people or organizations. The framework for inspection process capability originates from the literature relating to different types of peer review methods and experiments with flexible and tool-supported inspections in small companies. Furthermore, generic process improvement models are studied to find a feasible structure for the framework. As a result of the analysis, the i3 capability model is introduced. The feasibility of the model has been investigated in real-life software organizations carrying out inspections. After the capability evaluation, the inspection process can be upgraded with the aid of improvement patterns, which provide structured and easy-to-follow guidelines for implementing improvements. An initial list of patterns, describing solutions to the most common problems confronted in the establishment of inspections, is extracted from related inspection research and an industrial experiment. The contributions of this study are, first, the new view of the inspection process, based on the fundamental activities that are performed during an inspection instead of a series of stages, as it is usually presented. An activity-based process description enables tailoring of the process for organization-specific needs and its targeted improvement. Second, the study introduces a practical, lightweight method for implementing the improvement. Patterns are especially suitable in companies where resources are limited and full-scale improvement programmes cannot be initiated. Furthermore, the generic process improvement models do not provide detailed information on how improvements should be carried out, and the pattern approach represents a promising method for that. Third, the inspection process currently does not have a very significant role in generic software process improvement models; this study helps in outlining the importance of inspections. A similar approach could be applied to other software subprocesses to enable their evaluation and improvement.

El presente artículo presenta las consideraciones para efectuar propuestas de mejora de procesos en el área de producción de un astillero. La investigación resume la problemática actual en las operaciones industriales en un astillero naval peruano, en el cual se describe el análisis y el diagnóstico de la empresa en donde se evidencia los sobrecostos generados por horas extras de la mano de obra, y finalmente se determinan algunas propuestas de mejora mediante la aplicación de herramientas de calidad para la optimización de procesos productivos.

The thesis deals with the analysis of risks and ways of their solutions in the production process. Its main contribution is the design improvement of the production process of air conditioning systems in Lindab s. r. o. The thesis provides a comprehensive overview of the FMEA method with its elements aimed at process improvements, identifications of production risks, their causes, levels of severity, occurrence and detection. It is divided into a theoretical and practical part. The thesis is based on foreign literature and findings from research internship carried out in Lindab s. r. o. during studies at University of Economics, Prague.

Today, airports form a key part of global infrastructure in an increasingly globalised world. There is great competition between them to attract passengers and serve airlines in their role of transporting people regionally and internationally. Abu Dhabi International Airport is one such airport. Terminal 3 is the home of Abu Dhabi’s major carrier, Etihad Airways, one of the world’s fastest-growing international airlines. The research described in this thesis focuses on applying the Lean methodology to the passenger departure process in Terminal 3. The essential essence of ‘Lean’ is doing more with fewer resources by adopting a programme of continuous process improvement resulting in continually declining costs, mistakes and work-in-progress. The special environment of any airport, especially a major international hub made applying Lean principles difficult. This resulted from the large presence of Class I wastes or muda which could potentially change, perhaps dramatically, at short notice. This made this research significantly different from previous applications of Lean philosophy. Also, large, cumulative variations in demand set in an environment where rapid expansion of the airport is taking place also created major difficulties because of the shifting flow of passengers. Despite this, the research succeeded in achieving its aim and developed various rules from parameters based on the acronym SERVICE and an associated implementation methodology based on the Lean philosophy. Together these will help airline managers and staff to eliminate the waste of available resources and so increase passenger flow through various stages of the process in line with Lean philosophy. The research makes several important contributions to knowledge, especially in the field of Lean improvements. The contribution of this work arises from its systematic examination of the passenger departure process. The research has facilitated developing a detailed model which addresses both particular process groups and the effects of passenger class on the allocation and use of resources. This research has shown that large differences exist between the operating environment of a major international airport and those processes to which Lean principles have previously been applied. Nevertheless, despite these differences, this research has proved the Lean philosophy may be usefully applied to airport operations. Operating conditions within the passenger departure process mean that understanding the special operating environment of airports is vital. This research resulted in a discrete event simulation model of the airport much more accurate and detailed than those described in previous studies of passenger departure processes. The research then proved an improved model, which may be used experimentally to support conclusions reached from the broader application of Lean philosophy. The research observed and analysed the effects of large and cumulative peaks and troughs in demand against a background of rapid development of Abu Dhabi Airport. The researcher also evaluated the special internal and external effects on the processes, often at short notice. Consequently, there is no single ‘universal’ solution because of the major need for operational flexibility and for a close correlation between operational and strategic need. Despite these many difficulties the results of this research are a practical and straightforward series of improvements, which may be applied by airport staff themselves without need for complex computer models, simulation or dedicated experts. This will create conditions for continuously improving process performance during the passenger departure process. It will also help managers accurately identify critical areas where more radical action of increasing physical resources is needed. Finally, based on findings, the research makes several recommendations for further work.

Alle europäischen Länder spüren immer deutlicher die Auswirkungen des demografischen Wandels. Die damit verbundenen Veränderungen offenbaren neue Herausforderungen für ein generationsübergreifendes Zusammenleben, erschaffen jedoch auch neue Perspektiven für den beruflichen Werdegang von jungen und älteren Bürgern. In den nächsten 40 Jahren erwartet die Europäische Kommission einen Rückgang der arbeitenden Bevölkerung von 16% bei gleichzeitig sinkenden Geburtenraten. Dies führt u.a. zu Veränderungen am Arbeitsmarkt. Aufgrund des stetig steigenden Nachwuchsproblems sind Unternehmen verstärkt auf das Potential älterer Mitarbeiter angewiesen. Jedoch wird insbesondere in wissensintensiven Branchen der Bedarf an modernem Fachwissen verstärkt über den Nachwuchs geregelt. Ältere Menschen sind verfügbar, jedoch nicht immer ausreichend qualifiziert. Es fehlt ihnen das Wissen über moderne Technologien und Arbeitsabläufe.

El presente proyecto profesional realizado a fines del año 2013 trata sobre el rediseño de procesos expresado en diagramas de flujo de la empresa automotriz Diamante del Pacífico S.A., representante de la marca japonesa Daihatsu y la marca peruana IncaPower; esta última creada para englobar las marcas chinas Baw, Gonow, Forland, Changan y Beiben. La Empresa se dedica a la comercialización de autopartes y vehículos de pasajeros y de carga bajo la razón social Diamante del Pacífico S.A., pero el servicio técnico de taller, que involucra taller de mantenimiento, reparación de averías, auxilio mecánico y de siniestros, la realiza bajo la razón social Toyohatsu S.A. La Empresa cuenta con una amplia red de puntos de venta en Lima y a nivel nacional, pero solo los de Lima y Arequipa son propios, todos los demás son concesiones hechas a terceros. Cabe mencionar que la Empresa solo realiza el servicio de taller en el local de Surquillo para la marca Daihatsu y en el local de Villa El Salvador para IncaPower. Como alcance del trabajo es de mencionar que solo se limita a la mejora de los procesos internos de la Empresa con la ayuda de la confección de los diagramas de flujo antes y después del rediseño; no abarca la parte de la rentabilidad del negocio, el plan estratégico, comercial ni de marketing. Solo se enfoca a la eficiencia interna. / Trabajo profesional teóricamente fundamentado

Diploma thesis of "Management of Six Sigma projects" is dealing with possibilities of using this technique in specific continuous improvement projects. Main goal is to analyse tools of this method on real situation and proof that Six Sigma is usable to manage this kind of projects. This work will include necessary theoretical basics from project management scope based on generally approved PMBOK methodology. Part of this analysis will be concerned on comparison of PMBOK principles and Six Sigma method. Explanation of Six Sigma basics won't be omitted as well through the fact this method has achieved a significant value in recent times. Practical part of this paper will be composed as case study example of a logistics project in DHL Exel Supply Chain company where I have been employed in United Kingdom.

This diploma thesis covers the procedure of process optimalization within the project of design and implementation of automatic identification system in DTZ Liberec s.r.o. The theoretical part defines the general scope of business processes, their management and improvement. Furthermore, it gives an account of the fundaments of project management and presents the basic technologies of automatic identification, as well as possibilities for its use. The practical part describes the project and presents its outcomes. After introduction into company's situation, basic issues connected with project team assembly are outlined. The core of the practical part covers the identification of processes in areas, where automatic identification is being implemented, definition of specifics of their use and design of process changes with the goal of increasing their efficiency. In conclusion, the values of process measurement indicators, gained within the test run of the implemente system, are presented. The goal of the thesis is to propose process optimalization in chosen company using automatic identification technology.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention designed to eliminate damage notification failures in a customer-specific standard operating procedure used by a global logistics company. Process maps identified locations in the process where damage notification failures could most likely occur. A revised process was designed overnight to eliminate as many notification failure points as possible. In addition, a job aid was included to help facilitate the process change for the drivers. The results of the intervention showed a rapid and profound decrease in damage notification failures leading to the retention of a large, profitable account with a minimal initial investment of time and money.

abstract: At least 30 datacenters either broke ground or hit the planning stages around the United States over the past two years. On such technically complex projects, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems make up a huge portion of the construction work which makes data center market very promising for MEP subcontractors in the next years. However, specialized subcontractors such as electrical subcontractors are struggling to keep crews motivated. Due to the hard work involved in the construction industry, it is not appealing for young workers. According to The Center for Construction Research and Training, the percentages of workers aged between 16 to 19 years decreased by 67%, 20 to 24 years decreased by 49% and 25 to 34 age decreased by 32% from 1985 to 2015. Furthermore, the construction industry has been lagging other industries in combatting its decline in productivity. Electrical activities, especially cable pulling, are some of the most physically unsafe, tedious, and labor-intensive electrical process on data center projects. The motivation of this research is the need to take a closer look at how this process is being done and find improvement opportunities. This thesis focuses on one potential restructuring of the cable pulling and termination process; the goal of this restructuring is optimization for automation. Through process mapping, this thesis presents a proposed cable pulling and termination process that utilizes automation to make use of the best abilities of human and robots/machines. It will also provide a methodology for process improvement that is applicable to the electrical scope of work as well as that of other construction trades. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Construction Management 2020