Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This thesis introduces an adaptation of the Population-Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) meta-heuristic implemented on a variant of the General Pickup and Delivery Problem. The mapping of the customers in the problem and the vehicle routes on a time grid enables the utilization of the powerful genetic search that the PBIL algorithm provides in liaison with competitive learning. The problem consists of a number of customers who may at any time of the day place an order on another customer for some package. The fleet of vehicles travelling between the customers must then combine powers to pickup and deliver the package as fast as possible without ever leaving their assigned routes. The solution to this problem then, is a set of routes for the fleet that will minimize some percentile of the delivery times between customers. The PBIL meta-heuristic provides the blueprint of the final algorithm, where the final algorithm is actually just a normal PBIL algorithm with some external solution generation and evaluation techniques employed. The final algorithm can easily solve an instance of the problem in polynomial time, given that the resolution of the time grid used is not too small.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report presents the findings of a study that started as an evaluation of the possible implementation of the Options Inventory Management Model (OIMM), developed by van Wijck and Bekker [4], at DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA). The OIMM System was developed as a possible alternative to the SAP-MRP System to ensure a high Customer Service Level, with the lowest possible inventory level, under the 10 Day Option Freeze Environment. DCSA indicated that although the OIMM System may be an ideal solution, in terms of optimising Plant Inventory levels whilst maximising Customer Service Levels, the practical problems associated with the possible implementation of this system would outweigh the associated benefits. This being the case, a directive was given to investigate the SAP-MRP System’s ability to provide a high Customer Service Level under the 10 Day Option Freeze Environment and not to pursue the OIMM implementation option. The objectives of this directive were to evaluate and establish the performance capabilities of the SAPMRP System under the 10 Day Option Freeze Environment as well as develop a system to aid in the customisation of the system. Design of Experiments (DOE) was utilised to plan the evaluation procedure and to ensure that a consistent approach was followed. The DOE generated huge amounts of output data that represented the Usage Category Behaviour Characteristics of the SAP-MRP System. Regression Analysis was utilised to investigate this data. A part-by-part analysis was avoided and the analysis approach followed presented results that could be applied to almost the entire range of parts, excluding bulk parts, at DCSA. The results showed that Coverage Profile alone could be used as a proactive inventory management tool to ensure maximum Customer Service Level. The Regression Analysis revealed that various combinations of Safety Time, Minimum, and Target Coverage resulted in similar or equal Avg. Plant Inventories, Avg. Number of Orders, and Avg. Order Sizes. These findings were used to develop a Decision Support Tool that could be used by DCSA when evaluating the resultant changes caused by the proposed changes in the aforementioned Input Parameters. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verslag stel die bevindinge van ‘n studie voor wat begin het met die evaluering van die moontlike implementering van die “Options Inventory Management Model” (OIMM), ontwikkel vir DaimlerChrysler (DCSA) deur van Wijck en Bekker [4]. Die OIMM sisteem was ontwikkel as ‘n moontlike alternatief vir die SAP-MRP sisteem om ‘n hoë verbruikersdiensvlak tesame met die laagste moontlike voorraadvlak in ‘n 10-dag opsie-vries omgewing te verseker. DCSA het aangedui dat, hoewel die OIMM sisteem ‘n ideale oplossing bleik te wees in terme van die optimisering van fabriek-voorraadvlakke tesame met die verbruikersdiensvlakke, die praktiese probleme wat met die moontlike implimentering daarvan geassosieer word, die geassosieerde voordele oorskry. Daar is dus opdrag gegee om die SAP-MRP sisteem se vermoë om hoë verbruikersdiensvlakke in die 10-dag opsie-vries omgewing te lewer te ondersoek en sodoende nie die implimentering van die OIMM sisteem te vervolg nie. Die doelwitte van hierdie opdrag was die evaluering en vestiging van die prestasievermoëns van die SAP-MRP sisteem in die 10-dag opsie-vries omgewing, asook om ‘n sisteem te ontwikkel wat as hulpmiddel kan dien in die geïndividualiseerde aanpassingsoptimisering daarvan. ‘n Eksperimentele Ontwerp (DOE) is gebruik in die beplanning van die evalueringsprosedure en ook om te verseker dat ‘n konstante benadering gevolg is. Die DOE het ‘n groot hoeveelheid uitsetdata genereer wat die prestasie van die SAP-MRP sisteem se gedragseienskappe voorgestel het. Regressie-analise is uitgevoer om die data te ondersoek. Onderdeel-by-onderdeel analise is vermy en die analise-benadering wat gevolg is het resultate gelewer wat toegepas kon word vir omtrent die hele reeks onderdele by DCSA, uitsluitende onderdele wat in grootmaat aangekoop word. Die resultate het gewys dat die “Coverage Profile” alleen gebruik kan word as ‘n pro-aktiewe voorraadbestuur hulpmiddel om maksimum verbruikersdiensvlakke te verseker. Die regressie-analise het getoon dat verskeie kombinasies van “Safety Time,” “Minimum” en “Target Coverage” gelei het tot dieselfde hoeveelheid fabrieks-voorraad, bestellingsvrystellings en bestellingsgroottes. Hierdie tendense is toegepas in die ontwikkeling van ‘n ondersteunende besluitnemingshulpmiddel wat deur DCSA gebruik sou kon word in die evaluering van die veranderinge wat onstaan vanweë die voorgestelde verandering in die voorafgenoemde insetparameters.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / In today’s business environment it is widely accepted that innovation is key to improving the economic performance of companies (Van der Panna et al. 2003) and for achieving and sustaining a competitive advantage in the market place. Based on the definition of radical innovation, a radical innovation project involves a high level of “newness” (Damanpour 1996), which in turn leads to high levels of complexity and uncertainty. However, it is difficult to manage these high levels of complexity and uncertainty within the structured framework of the traditional project management bodies of knowledge (Williams 2005). The following problem was thus formulated: Project management concepts alone, captured in the various bodies of knowledge, are not sufficient enough to successfully manage radical innovation projects. Companies therefore struggle to gain a competitive advantage through innovation, as the implementation of the radical innovation is seldom successful. The thesis presents a methodology termed the “Innovation Implementation Methodology” (IIM), which combines a range of components and concepts that support radical innovation projects. The IIM combines concepts such as knowledge management, project and team integration, project principles, design objectives, prototypes and risk and change management into four main components. Each component provides a different view of the radical innovation project. These views include: • A view of the different levels of detail required, • A view of the roles and responsibilities, • A view of the project structure and team integration, and • A scientific and experimental view.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Scheduling is a core activity in the manufacturing business. It assists with efficient and effective utilization of capital-intensive resources and increased throughput, thus increasing profitability. The focus in this thesis is on scheduling of manufacturing orders in a make-to-order job-shop enterprise. It is widely accepted that manufacturing of large volumes and production with as few as possible product variants is the most cost-effective business approach, but the need for low volume, once-off engineering parts will always exist. Many approaches to scheduling exist, including translation of a scheduling problem to a Travelling Salesman analogue, while Discrete-event computer simulation is well established as a means to assist with scheduling. Simulation is appealing in the manufacturing environment, as it can realistically imitate dynamic, stochastic processes while being descriptive in forecasting the future. In this thesis, the development and testing of a simulation-based scheduler is described. The scheduler was developed for, and in collaboration with a South African make-to-order job-shop enterprise. A supporting information system was also developed and it is required that the enterprise changes some of its business processes if this scheduler is implemented. The scheduler considers the status of the enterprise each time a new order is received, and the current schedule is reviewed and may be revised at such a point in time, making it a real-time scheduler. Several classic scheduling dispatching rules and –measures were incorporated in the scheduler. These include First-in First-out, Earliest Due Date, Longest Processing Time, Shortest Processing Time, Smallest Slack and Critical Ratio (dispatching rules), while the performance measures are Makespan, Earliness, Lateness, Average Flow Time and Machine Usage. The proposed scheduler has been verified and validated using test data and designed confidence building tests, and its performance was also compared to an actual, historical schedule. The functioning of the scheduler is finally demonstrated using a stochastic test environment. The scheduler has generally performed satisfactorily and should be implemented as the final phase of this project.

Thesis (MEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This thesis represents the results of a study for the use of conformal cooling in blow mould design. As a part of this, design case studies and comparative experiments were conducted to determine the difference in performance of blow moulds incorporating conventional cooling and those with conformal cooling. The cooling configurations are compared using simulation to identify the shortcomings of conventional cooling. In addition modern manufacturing methods able to manufacture complex conformal cooling designs, are evaluated. The relevant cooling principles are explained using mould designing handbooks as well as heat flow handbooks. The tie between them is made and the differences explained. The moulding cycles of injection as well as blow moulding process are explained and the applicable simulation software used in these fields is described.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Project Management has already moved beyond the realms of an "orderwinning"- criteria to a "necessary-to-survive"-criteria. Increasingly people are drawn into project management without the correct qualifications or sufficient education in project management, especially in the area of project risk management. This project details the development of a case study in project management to facilitate this educational infilling in the services industry. This case study is based on a fictitious SPR project at an IT development company. The developed case study is an alternative project for the post-graduate course in Project Management at the University of Stellenbosch's Department of Industrial Engineering. Additionally, a tutorial in Microsoft" Project 2000® was also developed as supplementary material to this course. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Projek bestuur het alreeds verby die stadium beweeg waar dit gesien word as 'n voorsprong bo ander mededingende maatskappye. AI meer word mense in die dienste sektor met onvoldoende opleiding in projekbestuur, veral in die area van projek risiko bestuur, daarby betrek. Hierdie projek bespreek die ontwikkeling van 'n gevallestudie om hierdie leemte aan te spreek, en is gebaseer op 'n besigheidsproses verbeteringsprojek by 'n IT ontwikkelingsmaatskappy. Die ontwikkelde gevallestudie dien as 'n alternatiewe projek vir die nagraadse kursus in Projekbestuur wat aangebied word deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch se Departement Bedryfsingenieurswese. 'n Addisionele tutoriaal in Microsoft" Project 2000® is ook ontwikkel om hierdie opleidingsproses te fasiliteer.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mechatronics is an exciting research area that stemmed from huge progress in computer technology from the 1970s onwards. In such systems, computer controlled electronic and mechanical devices interact so intimately that it is impossible to tell where the one ends and the other begins. A mechatronic project aimed at automated manufacturing was undertaken by the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch as part of their programme in mechatronics. ROYIC was the industrial partner in the joint venture. ROYIC manufactures a front loader that is used on tractors. The front loader fits on a tractor by means of a kit that has to be manufactured specially for each type of tractor. The design of the kit needed many welding joints, which lead to a difficult and expensive manufacturing process. A bending press that was capable of bending pre-cut steel into a predefined shape was identified as a viable solution. The mechanical design for the project was done by ROYIC, while the University was responsible for the electronic control. Bending is carried out by pushing a flat bar over a Y-block into the bending position which can be read from a position encoder. The bending blade then bends the metal until the appropriate angle is reached. It is impossible to predict the resulting angle by means of analytical techniques. This is due to non-linear behaviour caused by spring-back. The position of the bending blade is read with an incremental encoder. An empirical equation is used to convert the distance read by the sensor into the appropriate angle. The parameters are deduced by means of non-linear regression methods. A mean square error of 0.069 was obtained for the equation when operating in the linear area of the plastic region of bending. A software application was written to enable ROYIC to deduce the needed parameters of the equation for all types of steel. Pulse control was used to control the bending blade. The blade moves continuously until a pulse band is reached. The blade is pulsed from there into a dead band. Consequently the accuracy of the machine is determined by the width of the dead band. The control program is capable of executing bend sequence files to enable the operator to perform a sequence of bends on a metal bar. Safety was of great importance in the design. The control system was designed to give priority to safety signals over other control signals. Dangerous situations owing to computer failure are thus prevented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Megatronika is 'n opwindende navorsingsarea wat ontstaan het uit groot vooruitgang in rekenaartegnologie vanaf 1970. In megatroniese sisteme werk rekenaar beheerde elektroniese en meganiese toestelle so nou saam dat dit onmoontlik is om agter te kom waar die een begin en die ander eindig. 'n Megatronika projek gerig op vervaardigings outomatisasie is onlangs onderneem deur die Departement van Bedryfsingenieurswese van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch as deel van hul program in megatronika. ROVle was die industriële vennoot in die projek. ROVle vervaardig implemente vir gebruik op plase. Een van hul produkte is 'n laaigraaf wat met 'n hegstuk op 'n trekker pas. Die hegstuk moet spesifiek vir elke tipe trekker ontwerp word wat gelei het tot 'n ontwerp met baie sweislaste wat 'n tydrowende vervaardigingsproses vereis. 'n Staal buigmasjien wat vooraf gesnyde staal in 'n spesifieke vorm kan buig sou hierdie probleem kon oorbrug. Die meganiese ontwerp vir die masjien is gedoen deur ROVle terwyl die Universiteit verantwoordelik was vir die elektroniese beheer. Staal word gebruik deur 'n staalbalk te skuif oor die buigbed tot in die buigposisie wat afgelees word vanaf' n posisie enkodeerder. Die buiglem buig dan die staal in die benodigde hoek. Geen analitiese metodes bestaan om die buighoek te voorspel nie weens terugspringing. Die posisie van die buiglem word ingelees met behulp van 'n inkrementeie enkodeerder. 'n Empiriese vergelyking word gebruik om die afstand beweeg om te skakel in 'n buighoek. Die verskillende parameters word afgelei deur middel van regressie metodes. Die gemiddelde foute kwadraat was 0.069 wat getoets is vir slegs die lineêre area van die plastiese gebied. 'n Program is geskryf wat ROVle instaat stelom die benodigde parameters self af te lei. Puls beheer is gebruik op die beheer van die buiglem. Die lem beweeg kontinu tot binne die puls band en word daarvandaan gepuls tot by die stopband. Die grootte van die stopband bepaal dus die akkuraatheid van die masjien. Die beheerprogram kan ook buig sekwensie lêers uitvoer wat die operateur instaat stelom 'n reeks van buigings op 'n staal balk uit te voer. Veiligheid het deurgaans 'n belangrike rol gespeel in die ontwerp van die masjien. Die stelsel is ontwerp om prioriteit te gee aan veiligheidseine bo enige ander beheersein. Gevaarlike situasies wat mag ontstaan as die rekenaar sou faal, word dus voorkom.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The design of an effective layout for a facility plays an important roll in its successful operation. The centralisation of certain activities has advantages in that it can reduce inventory levels, simplify material management, ease standardisation and provide better control over the quality of the final product. This thesis identifies the factors that must be taken into account in order to obtain a layout that functions effectively. Different layout types, material handling concepts and flow patterns are investigated. A variety of tools to analyse and evaluate these factors are discussed. A logical, practical and simple process is discussed which addresses the planning of the facility layout in a systematic manner. The volume of components that have to be rebuilt by the facility is obtained by making use of existing maintenance plans. The labour requirement is determined based on this volume. Activities and support services within the facility are compared to each other in order to determine the importance of the relationship between each. This relationship plays an important role in the placement of cells relative to each other. The layout is adjusted by taking the practical limitations of the current facility into account. A few alternative layouts are developed and they are rated against a list of parameters in order to obtain the most suitable layout. The processes and floor layout of the current facility are investigated and discussed. Aspects such as material, equipment, cleaning of components and the flow of documentation and information are discussed. Finally the way of operating in the future is discussed. This is obtained by looking at the theoretically determined layout and adapting it by taking both the good and bad points of the current layout into consideration. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwerp van 'n effektiewe uitleg vir 'n fasiliteit speel 'n belangrike rol in die suksesvolle werking daarvan. Die sentralisering van sekere aktiwiteite het voordele deurdat dit voorraadvlakke kan verlaag, beheer van voorraad vereenvoudig, standaardisering vergemaklik en beter beheer oor die gehalte van die finale produk bied. Hierdie tesis identifiseer die faktore wat in berekening gebring moet word ten einde 'n uitleg te verkry wat effektief funksioneer. Verskillende tipes uitlegte, materiaal hanterings konsepte en vloei patrone word ondersoek. 'n Verskeidenheid hulpmiddels om hierdie faktore te ontleed en te evalueer word bespreek. 'n Logiese, praktiese en eenvoudige proses word bespreek wat die beplanning van die fasiliteits uitleg sistematies aanpak. Deur van beskikbare instandhoudings planne gebruik te maak word die volume van komponente wat deur die fasiliteit herbou moet word bepaal. Die mannekrag behoeftes word bepaal gebaseer op hierdie volume. Aktiwiteite en ondersteunings funksies binne die fasiliteit word vergelyk ten einde die belangrikheid van die verhoudings tussen elkeen te bepaal. Hierdie verhoudings speel 'n belangrike rol in die plasing van selle relatief tot mekaar. Deur die praktiese beperkings van die huidige fasiliteit in ag te neem word die uitleg aangepas. 'n Paar alternatiewe uitlegte word ontwikkel en evalueer teen 'n lys parameters om die mees geskikte uitleg te verkry. Die prosesse en vloeruitleg van die huidige uitleg word ondersoek en bespreek. Hieronder word aspekte soos toerusting, materiaal, skoonmaak van komponente en die vloei van dokumentasie en inligting gedek. Ten slotte word gekyk na die toekomstige werkswyse wat gevolg gaan word. Dit word bereik deur die teoreties bepaalde uitleg te neem en aan te pas deur sommige van die goeie en slegte punte van die huidige uitleg in ag te neem.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two fundamental aspects in modem business success are performance management and physical asset management. The current problem in the asset management environment is the lack of structured performance management, which is required to effectively control and enhance the dynamics of the asset and its life cycle. The result is ineffective assets with high life cycle costs, which will consequently influence the bottom line and return on investment, negatively. An Asset _eerformance Management Model (APM2 , pronounced A-P-M square) was developed. A sound theoretical foundation together with the experience of a leading asset management consultant resulted in the realization of a model that (i) gives a balanced view of asset performance, (ii) link asset performance to strategic business objectives, (iii) facilitates decision-making and problem solving, and (iv) enhances asset control and continuous improvement. The APM2 was developed by rese~ching and integrating five building blocks, which encompass the model requirements. The APM2 consists of two distinct components, namely: • the APM Reference Structure (APMRS), and • a range of APM Dockets. The APMRS is a basic structure that integrates the various building blocks into a framework for providing guidance and control, giving perspective on the entire model and explaining the high-level content of the model. It consists of five levels, each with a distinct focus: • Levell: Enterprise • Level2: Factory • Level3: Process Unit • Level4: Aggregate • Level5: Component The APM Dockets are a subset of the APMRS, where each level has a docket. These dockets are executable, unit-specific procedures, guiding and leading stakeholders towards improved asset performance. Also each of the five levels consists of six similar and inter-related elements. These elements are the foundation for each docket: lement 1: Stakeholders Element 2: Objectives Element 3: Measures Element 4: External Monitor & Targets Element 5: Responsibilities & Decision-Making Element 6: Control & Continuous Improvement Element 7 represents the link to the next level in the APM Reference Structure. • • • • • • Conclusively the APM2,s simplicity and understandability is realized through the APM Reference Structure, while the range of APM Dockets contribute to the practicality objective. The model has a strong theoretical foundation, but at the same time is generic, to be used in a wide range of industries. A leading asset management consultant plans to integrate the APM2 into their asset management program based on the thesis documentation. This application will test and validate the APM2 in practice. It is further recommended that an asset management program, with the associated APM2 , be used in conjunction with the Theory of Constraints and Total Productive Maintenance, because of obvious relationships. Further research is also suggested in relation with some of the experimental asset life cycle phases as well as certain financial considerations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee fundamentele aspekte in hedendaagse besigheidsukses is prestasiebestuur and fisiese batebestuur. Die huidige probleem binne die batebestuursomgewing is die gebrek aan gestruktureerde prestasiebestuur, wat 'n vereiste is vir effektiewe beheer en verbeterings rondom die bate en sy lewensiklus. Die resultaat is oneffektiewe bates met hoë lewensikluskoste wat gevolglik wins en beleggingsopbrengs negatief beïnvloed. 'n Prestasiebestuur Model vir Bates (APM2, uitgespreek as A-P-M square) is ontwikkel. 'n Deeglike teoretiese fondasie tesame metdie ondervinding van vooraanstaande raadgewende batebestuurders, het die realisering van 'n model tot gevolg gehad, wat (i) bateprestasie gebalanseerd voorstel, (ii) bateprestasie met strategiese doelstellings verbind, (iii) besluitneming and probleemoplossing fasiliteer, en (iv) batekontrole en voortdurende verbetering bevorder. Die APM2 is ontwikkel deur middel van die identifisering en integrasie van vyf boustene wat die vereistes vir die modelomvat. Die APM2 bestaan onderskeidelik uit twee komponente, naamlik: • die APM Verwysingstruktuur (APMRS), en • 'n reeks APM Vouers. Die APMRS is 'n basiese struktuur wat die verskillende boustene binne 'n raamwerk integreer en sodoende leiding en beheer fasiliteer, die model as geheel in perspektief stel en die modelinhoud op hoë vlak verduidelik. Dit bestaan uit vyf vlakke, elk met 'n spesifieke fokus: • Vlak 1: Onderneming • Vlak2: Fabriek • Vlak 3: Proseseenheid • Vlak 4: Aggregaat • Vlak 5: Komponent Die APM Vouers is 'n subdeel van die APMRS, waar elke vlak 'n vouer het. Hierdie vouers is uitvoerbare, eenheid-spesifieke prosedures wat deelhebbers lei na beter bateprestasie. Ook bestaan elkeen van die vyf vlakke uit ses soortgelyke en inter-afhanklike elemente. Hierdie elemente is die fondasie vir elk van die vouers: • Element 1: Deelhebbers • Element 2: Doelwitte • Element 3: Metings • Element 4: Eksterne Monitering & Mikpunte • Element 5: Verantwoordelikhede & Besluitneming • Element 6: Kontrole & Voortdurende Verbetering • Element 7 stel die verbinding met die volgende vlak in die APM Verwysingstruktuur voor. Gevolglik word die eenvoud en verstaanbaarheid van die APM2 gerealiseer deur die APM Verwysingstruktuur, terwyl die reeks APM Vouers bydra tot die praktiese doelwit. Die model het 'n sterk teoretiese grondslag, maar terselfdertyd is dit generies, sodat dit in 'n wye spektrum van industrieë gebruik kan word. Gebaseer op die tesis dokumentasie beplan vooraanstaande raadgewende batebestuurders om die APM2 te integreer met hul batsbestuursprogram. Hierdie toepassing sal sodoende die APM2 in die praktyk toets en bekragtig. Dit word verder aanbeveel dat 'n batebestuursprogram, met die geassosieerde APM2, tesame met die Theory of Constraints en Total Productive Maintenance gebruik word, as gevolg van voor die hand liggende verwantskappe. Verdere navorsing word ook voorgestel in verband met die eksperimentele fases binne die batelewensiklus, asook rakende sekere finansiële oorwegings.

Thesis (DEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation investigates answers to the question: "How does one decide on the approach to implement when planning, managing and executing a development project?". By examining the prescriptive models of the development process, as proposed by design science, the principle characteristics are identified, that these models try to enforce. The need for tailoring the development process to the context of the project is highlighted by contrasting these prescriptive models to industrial practice and the corresponding descriptive models of the development process. A framework of contextual variables is proposed, which facilitates the tailoring of the approach to the project by defining the project methodology. The usefulness of this contextual framework is verified by means of case studies. Finally the dissertation proposes the use of a roadmap to define the project methodology at the beginning of the project. By packaging the project methodology in the form of a roadmap, implemented in a collaborative computer environment, it can be refined during the execution of the project to suit the information requirements of the project. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verhandeling ondersoek antwoorde tot die vraag: "Hoe besluit ’n mens watter benadering om vir die beplanning, bestuur en deurvoering van ’n ontwikkelingsprojek toe te pas?". Deur die voorskriftelike modelle van die ontwikkelingsproses wat deur die ontwikkelingswetenskap voorgestel word, te ondersoek, word die grondbeginsels bepaal wat di modelle poog om af te dwing. Die behoefte om die ontwikkelingsproses by die projek se konteks aan te pas, word duidelik uitgebeeld deur die kontras tussen hierdie voorskriftelike modelle van die ontwikkelingsproses en industrile praktyk, sowel as die ooreenkomstige beskrywende modelle. ’n Raamwerk word voorgestel om die konteks van ’n projek te beskryf. Die aanpassing van die benadering tot die projek word sodoende deur die definisie van ’n projekmetodologie vergemaklik. Gevallestudies bevestig die nuttigheid van hierdie raamwerk. Die verhandeling sluit met die slotsom af dat ’n padkaart gebruik kan word om die projekmetodologie aan die begin van die projek te bepaal. Deur die projekmetodologie in ’n padkaart te verpak wat in ’n rekenaargesteunde spanomgewing gebruik kan word, kan dit gedurende die uitvoering van die projek gewysig word volgens die inligtingsbehoeftes van die projek.