No description available.

We are addressing two aspects of vision based system development that are not fully exploited in current frameworks: abstraction over low-level details and high-level module reusability. Through an evaluation of existing frameworks, we relate these shortcomings to the lack of systematic classification of sub-tasks in vision based system development. Our approach for addressing these two issues is to classify vision into decoupled sub-tasks, hence defining a clear scope for a vision based system development framework and its sub-components. Firstly, we decompose the task of vision system development into data management and processing. We then proceed to further decompose data management into three components: data access, conversion and transportation. To verify our approach for vision system development we present two frameworks: the Vision Utility (VU) framework for providing abstraction over the data management component; and the Hive framework for providing the data transportation and high-level code reuse. VU provides the data management functionality for developers while hiding the low-level system details through a simple yet flexible Application Programming Interface (API). VU mediates the communication between the developer's application, vision processing modules, and data sources by utilizing different frameworks for data access, conversion and transportation (Hive). We demonstrate VU's ability for providing abstraction over low-level system details through the examination of a vision system developed using the framework. Hive is a standalone event based framework for developing distributed vision based systems. Hive provides simple high-level methods for managing communication, control and configuration of reusable components. We verify the requirements of Hive (reusability and abstraction over inter-module data transportation) by presenting a number of different systems developed on the framework using a set of reusable modules. Through this work we aim to demonstrate that this novel approach for vision system development could fundamentally change vision based system development by addressing the necessary abstraction, and promoting high-level code reuse. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this work is to identify possible elements of infology in some systems development methodologies. To reach the aim two objectives were identified: to gain an understanding of the concept of infology and secondly to study different kinds of methodologies and analyse them to find out possible elements of infology. In order to reach the aim of this work a literature study was performed. Four methodologies were chosen for the analysis and the selection represented a wide range of different methodologies. They were: Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), Effective Technical and Human Implementation of Computer based Systems (ETHICS), Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method (SSADM) and Yourdon Systems Method (YSM). The infological approach has been characterised and the fundamental characteristic of infology is the distinction between data and information. A consequence from this distinction is that the users of the intended information system should participate in the developing process in order to understand the complex and dynamic relations in an organisation and information system. The results of this work have shown that the soft methodologies (SSM and ETHICS) have a high degree of infology and the more hard methodologies (SSADM and YSM) have a low degree of infology.

Many IT systems fail to realize their objectives because not enough attention has been paid to the business context in which the system functions. One reason expressed--an emphasized technical focus which tend to omit business and organizational issues germane to the organization's and the system's success. When an organization's information system is in line with, and provides support for its business strategy--strategic alignment--superior business performance is often the result. Within the Requirements Engineering (RE) community there has been several attempts to develop and utilize approaches which can illuminate business and organizational informational needs. In this dissertation, the DAGS framework is used to develop an integrated web-based requirements elicitation system which is based on Critical Success Factors (CSFs), Jackson's problem diagrams and organizational strategy analysis technique to represent and model an organization's IT requirements. This research employs the DAGS (multi-methodological approach consisting of Design Science, Action Research, Grounded Theory and System Development research methodologies) framework for Information System (IS) design to assist the Information Technology (IT) department in developing a collaborative user requirements system to assist in designing and constructing more effective information systems by incorporating the needs of various stakeholders in support of organizational goals while satisfying these varied needs. Top management's field of vision is represented in the CSFs which provide a compelling clarification of what is important to the organization. Failure to achieve a CSF directly affects the organization's ability to accomplish its mission; Research shows that alignment of IT systems with business strategy leads to superior organizational performance. Industry professionals have consistently considered alignment of IT with business strategy essential to their success thus requirements for an organization's information systems need to be aligned with the objectives of the business strategy that its stakeholders intend to support. This dissertation contributes to the literature on validating an organization's IT and Business Strategic alignment. It has also provided an example of research, grounded in theory but which is nevertheless relevant to business.

In order for the benefits of a behavior management skills training program to reach clients, caregivers must use the behavior management skills in the natural environment. The current study took place at a large residential facility for adults with disabilities, in which caregivers had received prior training in which they demonstrated behavior management skills and maintained those skills in contrived role plays. The current study represents a preliminary analysis of generalization of these skills in the natural environment; thus, a measurement system for when caregivers should demonstrate the tools was developed. The specific purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a program to establish stimulus control over observers' measurement of appropriate behaviors. Researchers systematically developed and validated a measurement system of "good behaviors" that could be used across clients. The process of development and refinement of the measurement system is described. When the system was finalized, three observers' accuracy in using the system was assessed by comparing measured values to that of the code writer. Following feedback on individual instances of behavior, all observers scored the three target behaviors accurately. Ecological validity was assessed by surveying professionals at the facility and ecological validity results suggested a valid measurement system was developed.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to determine a Green approach towards systems development methodologies and to investigate influences that affect the adoption of Green Information Technologies and Green Information Systems in South Africa. A literature review was done in order to determine which empirical is required to achieve the research objectives. The positivistic paradigm was found to be the most suited paradigm for this study. A survey was used as the research method and conducted in South Africa. The data was collected using a questionnaire, after determining that it was the most suited data collection method. The questionnaire was validated using structural equation modelling in order to determine if the data that was collected is valid. The valid data was then evaluated using different statistical methods, such as correlations, t-test, ANOVA tests and Cross-Tabs. The study revealed that the different characteristics of organisations can influence different aspects, such factors that inhibit or motivate the adoption of Green IT and Green IS. Interestingly, characteristics of individuals had no impact. It was also revealed that organisational culture and national culture had an impact on factors that motivate the adoption of Green IT initiatives. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study is about IT-tools and communication in distributed system development teams. The purpose of this study is to identify how the members of distributed teams perceive their own communication, and to identify the characteristics that are considered important in the IT-tools to be able to maintain a good communication. To carry out this work, we did a case study where we sent out survey to a company that works distributed and that has team members both in Spain and in Sweden. We also conducted an interview with one of the respondents to be able to get deeper answers to our survey questions. The study showed that most were satisfied with the communication, but they still felt that communication could be improved. The study also showed that most respondents lacked certain qualities in their current IT-tools. The result of this study should be of interest to companies with similar conditions. / Denna studie handlar om IT-verktyg och kommunikation inom distribuerade systemutvecklingsteam. Syftet med denna undersökning är att identifiera hur medlemmarna i distribuerade team uppfattar hur deras kommunikation fungerar, samt att identifiera vilka egenskaper som anses vara viktiga i IT-verktyg för att kunna upprätthålla en bra kommunikation. För att genomföra detta arbete gjorde vi en fallstudie där vi skickade ut enkäter till ett företag som arbetar distribuerat och som har teammedlemmar både i Spanien och i Sverige. Vi genomförde också en intervju med en av respondenterna för att kunna få djupare svar på våra enkätfrågor. Studien visade att de flesta var nöjda med kommunikationen men att de ändå tyckte att kommunikationen kunde förbättras. Studien visade även att de flesta saknade vissa egenskaper i sina nuvarande IT-verktyg. Resultatet av studien torde vara intressant för företag med liknade förutsättningar.

This study has   focused on system development approaches and system development   methodologies. The purpose of the study has been to present a view on the   current situation of different development approaches (agile, traditional,   iterative and hybrid) and methodologies by highlighting the situation from a   number of perspectives. Questions that are answered are: which system   development approaches and methodologies that can be said to be most   frequently used based on the respondents, if the mentioned approaches can be   given certain characteristics based on a selection of factors and the   respondents' attitude towards the approach they practice. The study has been   conducted as a survey where the answers have been obtained via social media.   The result shows that agile methodologies dominate and that they are often   included in various forms of hybrid and agile approaches. Furthermore, it has   not been possible to create an in-depth knowledge of the approaches based on   the selected factors. Finally, it is noted that project members who practice   an agile approach have a great confidence in the approach and have a strong   conviction that it contributes to increase the quality of the software.

The aim of this study was to determine a Green approach towards systems development methodologies and to investigate influences that affect the adoption of Green Information Technologies and Green Information Systems in South Africa. A literature review was done in order to determine which empirical is required to achieve the research objectives. The positivistic paradigm was found to be the most suited paradigm for this study. A survey was used as the research method and conducted in South Africa. The data was collected using a questionnaire, after determining that it was the most suited data collection method. The questionnaire was validated using structural equation modelling in order to determine if the data that was collected is valid. The valid data was then evaluated using different statistical methods, such as correlations, t-test, ANOVA tests and Cross-Tabs. The study revealed that the different characteristics of organisations can influence different aspects, such factors that inhibit or motivate the adoption of Green IT and Green IS. Interestingly, characteristics of individuals had no impact. It was also revealed that organisational culture and national culture had an impact on factors that motivate the adoption of Green IT initiatives. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014