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Thesis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology in Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technonlogy / The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in business has evolved to such an extent that many organizations (if not all) rely on Information Technology (IT) systems to better manage their processes, get competitive advantage, improve performance (efficiency and effectiveness), provide quality services on time and most importantly to keep customers happy. This has changed the way people communicate and conduct businesses, lowering processing cost, time and improving a return on investment. Therefore, high quality software systems are essential. Organizations adopt Agile Scrum methodologies in order to develop applications that help them to obtain a return on investment quickly, to improve customer satisfaction and to maintain competitive advantage. However, the IT industry is yet to develop error-free software that meets the expected quality standards. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the extent to which software quality assurance measures can be understood and applied to maximize the quality of software projects developed under Scrum methodology. A qualitative research method informed by an interpretive approach was used to collect and analyse data. Following the purposive sampling technique, five Scrum teams operating in different environments and two academics from one academic institution were interviewed. Structuration Theory (ST) was then used as an analytical framework to analyse data and to improve the understanding of Scrum practices and related quality assurance (QA) processes. Drawing on the major terms of ST, the contextual terrain of the Scrum development process was mapped. It reflected that rules are important aspects of Scrum functions. However, rules are not as strictly applied as in the traditional methodologies. The developer skill, project type and size have a direct influence on the practice/s. In Scrum, rules are flexible in that they can be modified to meet the environment and conditions of the team. Equally significant are resources, most particularly, time and the human resources in the form of developers and Scrum leaders. Otherwise, unit testing, user acceptance testing, close collaboration and code reviews were perceived as the most important practices in Scrum projects. In view of the findings, recommendations can be summed up into 4 main points; (1) that to ensure quality assurance in Scrum, Scrum teams, especially team leaders, should enforce compliance to standards, regardless of time pressures and tight deadlines; (2) It seems that the practice of working with the client to test final products as a quality assurance mechanism is working for all parties. This practice is encouraged and must be maintained; (3) Code reviews must be enforced, and that organisations invest in resources including the constant training of developers; (4) Project product owners, project managers, team leaders and business analysts should regularly meet with the user to verify requirements prior to the implementation phase. Active stakeholder involvement can minimize development costs and time.

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology. / The global consulting industry has become a significant contributor to economies worldwide due to the growing requirement for specialised skills, but the industry encounters tense flaws and pitfalls. These pitfalls are related to the increasing amount of consulting engagements that fall short of their desired goal. The inability to fully achieve the goals agreed upon yields questions regarding the quality of service provided within the industry. It is believed that this inability to perform and to meet goals is due to gaps that occur within the consulting process. This research aims to determine whether there is a lack of quality in the full spectrum of the consulting process, which ultimately hampers the success of the consulting engagement. A non-empirical and qualitative research method was used to investigate the nature of the gaps and the main reasons for these gaps within the consulting process. A framework was developed in order to assist the researcher in understanding whether quality methods can successfully address or narrow the gaps in the consulting process that inhibit the success of consulting engagements or the ability to meet all requirements of consulting engagements. Validation was carried out through interviews with experts in the consulting industry. After a study of current literature it was clear that the fields of project management, change management and knowledge management are imperative when running a consulting engagement. Results of this study indicated that the framework is a viable quality methodology that can indeed be applied to address gaps in the consulting process. This is acquired through an interaction of fields such as systems thinking, audits, customer focus, corrective action and quality awareness. The framework was designed to add value and attempt to assure that the goals of consulting engagements can be fully achieved. Suggested further research includes the implementation of the framework in small consulting firms to investigate its practical usability and feasibility.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:53:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:58:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O presente trabalho identifica, caracteriza e analisa os requisitos normativos para o desenvolvimento e a implementação de um sistema de gestão da qualidade em instalações e atividades nucleares brasileiras. Os requisitos estabelecidos nas normas IAEA GS-R-3, IAEA GS-G-3.1, IAEA DS 349, NBR ISO 9001:2000 e CNEN-NN-1.16 são analisados criticamente. Uma matriz de correspondência entre as normas aplicáveis é apresentada e são identificados os tópicos relacionados entre elas. As normas IAEA GS-R- 3, IAEA GS-G-3.1 e IAEA DS 349 definem requisitos genéricos para estabelecer, implementar, avaliar e melhorar continuamente um sistema integrado de gestão em instalações e atividades nucleares nos países membros da IAEA. A NBR ISO 9001:2000 estabelece requisitos genéricos para a implementação de um sistema de gestão da qualidade em organizações de todos os tipos. A norma CNEN-NN-1.16 estabelece os requisitos regulamentares para sistemas e programas de garantia da qualidade de instalações nucleares, para o licenciamento e operação destas instalações no Brasil. A norma IAEA GS-R-3 que substitui o código IAEA 50-C-Q introduz o conceito de \"Sistema Integrado de Gestão\" para a área nuclear, em preferência aos conceitos de \"Garantia da Qualidade\" e \"Gestão da Qualidade\". Esta nova abordagem acompanha a tendência atual de incorporar requisitos de segurança, saúde, meio ambiente, proteção física, qualidade, econômicos e outros em um único sistema de gestão. Exemplos de sistemas de gestão da qualidade implementados por organizações nucleares brasileiras e por organizações nucleares de outros países são analisados e considerados na discussão dos resultados do trabalho. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:34:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Os aceleradores lineares representam a mais importante, prática e versátil produtores de raios-X de alta energia em radioterapia. O comportamento funcional destes equipamentos pode variar devido a defeitos eletrônicos, falhas de componentes ou rupturas mecânicas, ou então podem variar devido ao deterioramento e envelhecimento de seus componentes. A manutenção da qualidade dos tratamentos depende essencialmente da estabilidade dos aceleradores e do controle de qualidade das instituições para monitorar desvios nos parâmetros do feixe. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar e analisar a estabilidade do fator de calibração dos aceleradores lineares, bem como os demais parâmetros dosimétricos normalmente incluídos em um programa de controle de qualidade em radioterapia. A média dos fatores de calibração dos aceleradores para o período de aproximadamente quatro anos para os Clinacs 600C e 6EX foram (0,998 ± 0,012) e (0,996 ± 0,014), respectivamente. Para o Clinac 2100CD de 6 MV e 15 MV foi (1,008 ± 0,009) e (1,006 ± 0,010), respectivamente, em um período de aproximadamente quatro anos. Através de análises estatísticas nos três aceleradores lineares verificou-se que os coeficientes de variação dos fatores de calibração apresentaram valores inferiores a 2% o que mostra uma homogeneidade nos dados. Através do cálculo da distribuição normal dos fatores de calibração, verificou-se que para os Clinacs 600C e 2100CD, é esperada uma probabilidade de que em mais de 90% dos casos os valores estejam dentro dos limites aceitáveis segundo o protocolo TG-142, enquanto que para o Clinac 6EX é esperado em torno de 85% uma vez que esse acelerador apresentou diversas trocas de componentes. Os valores do TPR20,10 dos três aceleradores são praticamente constantes e dentro dos limites aceitáveis segundo o protocolo TG-142. Pode-se concluir que um estudo detalhado dos dados do fator de calibração dos aceleradores e do TPR20,10 a partir de um ponto de vista quantitativo, é extremamente útil em um programa de garantia de qualidade. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

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A computer controlled weld quality assurance system has been developed to detect weld defects ultrasonically whilst welding is in progress. This system, including a flash analogue to digital converter and built-in memories to store sampled data, a peak characters extractor and a welding process controller, enabled welding processes to be controlled automatically and welding defects to be detected concurrently with welding. In this way, the weld quality could be satisfactorily assured if no defect was detected and the welding cost was minimised either through avoiding similar defects to occur or by stopping the welding process if repair was necessary. This work demonstrated that the high temperature field around the weld pool was the major source of difficulties and unreliabilities in defect detection during welding and, had to be taken into account in welding control by ultrasonic means. The high temperatures not only influence ultrasonic characteristic parameters which are the defect judgement and assessment criterion, but also introduce noise into signals. The signal averaging technique and statistical analysis based on B-scan data have proved their feasibility to increase 'signal to noise ratio' effectively and to judge or assess weld defects. The hardware and the software for the system is explained in this work. By using this system, real-time 'A-scan' signals on screen display, and, A-scan, B-scan or three dimensional results can be printed on paper, or stored on disks, and, as a result, weld quality could be fully computerized.

Die doel van hierdie studie was om te kyk hoe effektief die Geïntegreerde Gehaltebestuurstelsel (GGBS), en wel die taksering van opvoeders, bestuur kan word om positiewe resultate by skole te bereik. Die studie is gedoen binne die Interpretivistiese benadering. Data-invordering is gedoen deur middel van vraelyste, observasie en onderhoude. Die studie het getoon dat opvoeders onseker was, juis omdat die Onderwysdepartement nie die nodige leiding gegee en die nodige hulpbronne gehad het nie. Die afgelope twee jaar ( 2006 en 2007 ) egter het die Departement skouer aan die wiel gesit en hulp aan skole verleen, hetsy deur die beskikbaarstelling van die nodige vorms, of die aanstel van ‘n koördineerder om hulp aan skole te verskaf. Die belangrikste uitkomste van die studie was die besef dat opvoeders se vrese en aannames aangespreek moet word om ‘n gehaltebestuurstelsel effektief te maak. Slypskole moet gehou word om hulp en bystand aan die getakseerdes te verleen. Die bestuurspan van die skool moet ook indiensopleiding ondergaan, sodat hulle presies kan weet wat van hulle verwag word. Op hierdie manier word onsekerhede uit die weg geruim, want onsekerheid was die grootste probleem waarmee opvoeders te kampe gehad het in die implimentering van die GGBS.

Abstract The thesis consists of the summary and eight refereed articles presenting the national, regional and institutional levels of strategic planning and quality assurance. National or regional networks may have either general or functional strategies. An organisation may have an overall strategy and its support services may have functional strategies. Quality assurance typically takes constantly smaller steps to develop processes. Strategic planning produces strategic objectives for a better future, while the purpose of a quality assurance system is to safeguard that these objectives can be achieved. This interpretation thus integrates strategic planning into quality assurance in internal processes and information systems. The higher education institutions can and should be managed to attain a better future and ensure high quality, but the management of higher education institutions need a framework. The objective of this study is to provide a common framework of strategic planning and quality assurance for higher education institutions. The framework does not only help management communicate and implement the strategies, but also to plan strategies in the strategy process, evaluate the performance and achievement of desired objectives and provide a structure for quality assurance and management information system. The framework is also rigorously tested in practice. At the national level, the study presents a network strategy of the universities of applied sciences (formerly polytechnics) and the functional strategic plans of their libraries. At the regional level, the study presents a network strategy of higher education institutions and the strategy of the Turku University of Applied Sciences as part of the strategy of the City of Turku. At the institutional level, the study presents competitive strategies, which are applied in continuing education. Finally, the study analysed the importance of various measures in process control to improve the quality of education.