Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In terms of its contribution to the agricultural economic activity in Namibia, the small stock industry is the most important sector, second only to the beef industry. This sector makes a significant contribution to the agricultural business in Namibia due to the sector’s exports, its provision of employment, use of natural resources, contribution to GDP and to consumer spending as well as food security. Agricultural activities in Namibia contributed 5.5 percent to Namibia’s GDP, while 70 percent of the population relies on agriculture for employment and day-to-day living. Livestock farming in Namibia is free ranging on natural pastures and therefore produces high-quality meat that is in high demand in both the national and international markets. Small stock production in Namibia is unstable due to the high variability of weather patterns, changes in economic and social environments, unpredictable droughts as well as political and structural changes. Due to the decline in mutton production over the last years, research in the supply economics of the mutton industry in Namibia is important. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between the various price and non-price factors contributing to the supply dynamics within the mutton industry in Namibia. Two hypotheses are tested with the aid of econometric modelling techniques on monthly time series data. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach to co-integration was used to determine the long-run and short-run supply response elasticities towards economic and climatology factors. Results showed a significant long-run relationship between the average Namibian mutton producer price and mutton supply. Results revealed that a one percent increase in the mutton producer price leads to a 1.97 percent increase in mutton supply. Beef producer price, a substitute product to mutton, showed a significant negative long-run effect towards mutton production whereas rainfall showed a meaningful positive long-run contribution to mutton supply. These supply shifters towards mutton production also showed significant short-run elasticities. Results further revealed that the system takes nearly two months to recover to the long-run supply equilibrium, should any disturbances occur within the supply system. The study showed that price-related and climatological factors play a major role in the Namibian mutton production industry. Industry stakeholders and policy makers should therefore incorporate these significant relationships between supply shifters and production output into future decisions and marketing policies to secure a healthy, growing and sustainable mutton industry in Namibia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In terme van bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië is die kleinveebedryf die tweede belangrikste sektor, net kleiner as die land se grootveebedryf. Die sektor maak ‘n betekenisvolle bydrae tot die landboubedryf in Namibië deur middel van werkskepping, die gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne, bydrae tot Bruto Binnelandse Produk, uitvoere, verbruikersbesteding sowel as voedselsekerheid. Landbou-aktiwiteite dra by tot 5,5 persent van die Bruto Binnelandse Produk van ‘n land waar meer as 70 persent van die bevolking afhanklik is van landbou om ‘n bestaan te kan maak. Veeboerdery in Namibië geskied ekstensief op natuurlike veld wat lei tot die produksie van ‘n hoë kwaliteit produk, wat hoog in aanvraag is in plaaslike en internasionale markte. Kleinvee produksie in Namibië is onstabiel as gevolg van fluktuasies in weerpatrone, veranderings in ekonomiese en sosiale omgewings, onvoorspelbare droogtes asook politieke- en struktuurveranderinge. As gevolg van die huidige afname in skaapvleis produksie is navorsing in die aanbodkantekonomie van die skaapvleisbedryf belangrik in Namibië. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die verwantskap te ondersoek tussen verskeie prys en nie-prys faktore wat bydra tot die aanboddinamika van die skaapvleisbedryf. Twee hipoteses word getoets met behulp van ekonometriese modelleringstegnieke op maandelikse tydreeksdata. ‘n Outoregressiewe verspreide sloeringbenadering tot ko-integrasie is gebruik om die langtermyn en korttermyn elastisiteite tussen ekonomiese en klimaatsfaktore vir die aanbod van skaapvleis te bepaal. Resultate dui op ‘n betekenisvolle langtermyn verwantskap tussen die gemiddelde Namibiese produsente prys en skaapvleis produksie. Resultate wys daarop dat ‘n een persent styging in skaapvleis produsente prys ‘n 1,97 persent styging in skaapvleis aanbod het. Die beesvleis produsente prys, ‘n substituut vir skaapvleis, het ‘n beduidende negatiewe effek getoon oor die langtermyn op skaapvleis produksie. Reënval het ‘n beduidende positiewe bydrae getoon ten opsigte van skaapvleis aanbod. Hierdie aanbodsfaktore het betekenisvolle korttermyn elastisiteite getoon. Resultate het ook getoon dat die stelsel twee maande neem om te herstel tot die langtermyn aanbodsewewig, sou daar enige drastiese veranderings in die stelsel plaasvind. Die studie het getoon dat prysverwante en klimaatsfaktore ‘n uiters prominente rol speel met betrekking tot skaapvleisproduksie in Namibië. Bedryfsaandeelhouers en politieke leiers sal hierdie betekenisvolle verwantskappe tussen produksie faktore en aanbod uitset in ag moet neem in toekomstige beplanning en bemarkingsbeleid om ‘n gesonde, groeiende en volhoubare skaapvleisbedryf in Namibië te verseker.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a minerals processing environment, stable production processes, cost minimisation and energy efficiency are key to operational excellence, safety and profitability. At an ilmenite smelter, typically found in the heavy minerals industry, it is no different. Management of an ilmenite smelting process is a complex, multi-variable challenge with high costs and safety risks at stake. A by-product of ilmenite smelting is superheated carbon monoxide (CO) gas, or furnace off-gas. This gas is inflammable and extremely poisonous to humans. At the same time the gas is a potential energy source for various on-site heating applications. Re-using furnace off-gas can increase the energy efficiency of the energy intensive smelting process and can save on the cost of procuring other gas for heating purposes. In this research project, the management of CO gas from the Tronox KZN Sands ilmenite smelter in South Africa was studied with the aim of optimising the current utilisation of the gas. In the absence of any buffer capacity in the form of a pressure vessel, the stability of the available CO gas is directly dependent on the stability of the furnaces. The CO gas has been identified as a partial replacement for methane gas which is currently purchased for drying and heating of feed material and pre-heating of certain smelter equipment. With no buffer capacity between the furnaces and the gas consuming plants, a dynamic prioritisation approach had to be found if the CO was to replace the methane. The dynamics of this supply-demand problem, which has been termed the “CO gas problem”, needed to be studied. A discrete-event simulation model was developed to match the variable supply of CO gas to the variable demand for gas over time – the demand being a function of the availability of the plants requesting the gas, and the feed rates and types of feed material processed at those plants. The problem was formulated as a multi-objective optimisation problem with the two main, conflicting objectives, identified as: 1) the average production time lost per plant per day due to CO-methane switchovers; and 2) the average monthly saving on methane gas costs due to lower consumption thereof. A metaheuristic, namely multi-objective optimisation using the cross-entropy method, or MOO CEM, was applied as optimisation algorithm to solve the CO gas problem. The performance of the MOO CEM algorithm was compared with that of a recognised benchmark algorithm for multi-objective optimisation, the NSGA II, when both were applied to the CO gas problem. The background of multi-objective optimisation, metaheuristics and the usage of furnace off-gas, particularly CO gas, were investigated in the literature review. The simulation model was then developed and the optimisation algorithm applied. The research aimed to comment on the merit of the MOO CEM algorithm for solving the dynamic, stochastic CO gas problem and on the algorithm’s performance compared to the benchmark algorithm. The results served as a basis for recommendations to Tronox KZN Sands in order to implement a project to optimise usage and management of the CO gas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In mineraalprosessering is stabiele produksieprosesse, kostebeperking en energie-effektiwiteit sleuteldrywers tot bedryfsprestasie, veiligheid en wins. ‘n Ilmenietsmelter, tipies aangetref in swaarmineraleprosessering, is geen uitsondering nie. Die bestuur van ‘n ilmenietsmelter is ‘n komplekse, multi-doelwit uitdaging waar hoë kostes en veiligheidsrisiko’s ter sprake is. ‘n Neweproduk van die ilmenietsmeltproses is superverhitte koolstofmonoksiedgas (CO gas). Hierdie gas is ontvlambaar en uiters giftig vir die mens. Terselfdertyd kan hierdie gas benut word as energiebron vir allerlei verhittingstoepassings. Die herbenutting van CO gas vanaf die smelter kan die energie-effektiwiteit van die energie-intensiewe smeltproses verhoog en kan verder kostes bespaar op die aankoop van ‘n ander gas vir verhittingsdoeleindes. In hierdie navorsingsprojek is die bestuur van die CO gasstroom wat deur die ilmenietsmelter van Tronox KZN Sands in Suid-Afrika geproduseer word, ondersoek met die doel om die huidige benuttingsvlak daarvan te verbeter. Weens die afwesigheid van enige bufferkapasiteit in die vorm van ‘n drukbestande tenk, is die stabiliteit van CO gas beskikbaar vir hergebruik direk afhanklik van die stabiliteit van die twee hoogoonde wat die gas produseer. Die CO gas kan gedeeltelik metaangas, wat tans aangekoop word vir die droog en verhitting van voermateriaal en vir die voorverhitting van sekere smeltertoerusting, vervang. Met geen bufferkapasiteit tussen die hoogoonde en die aanlegte waar die gas verbruik word nie, was die ondersoek van ‘n dinamiese prioritiseringsbenadering nodig om te kon vasstel of die CO die metaangas kon vervang. Die dinamika van hierdie vraag-aanbod probleem, getiteld die “CO gasprobleem”, moes bestudeer word. ‘n Diskrete-element simulasiemodel is ontwikkel as probleemoplossingshulpmiddel om die vraag-aanbodproses te modelleer en die prioritiseringsbenadering te ondersoek. Die doel van die model was om oor tyd die veranderlike hoeveelhede van geproduseerde CO teenoor die veranderlike gasaanvraag te vergelyk. Die vlak van gasaanvraag is afhanklik van die beskikbaarheidsvlak van die aanlegte waar die gas verbruik word, sowel as die voertempo’s en tipes voermateriaal in laasgenoemde aanlegte. Die probleem is geformuleer as ‘n multi-doelwit optimeringsprobleem met twee hoof, teenstrydige doelwitte: 1) die gemiddelde verlies aan produksietyd per aanleg per dag weens oorgeskakelings tussen CO en metaangas; 2) die gemiddelde maandelikse besparing op metaangaskoste weens laer verbruik van dié gas. ‘n Metaheuristiek, genaamd MOO CEM (multi-objective optimisation using the cross-entropy method), is ingespan as optimeringsalgoritme om die CO gasprobleem op te los. Die prestasie van die MOO CEM algoritme is vergelyk met dié van ‘n algemeen aanvaarde riglynalgoritme, die NSGA II, met beide toepas op die CO gasprobleem. The agtergrond van multi-doelwit optimering, metaheuristieke en die benutting van hoogoond af-gas, spesifiek CO gas, is ondersoek in die literatuurstudie. Die simulasiemodel is daarna ontwikkel en die optimeringsalgoritme is toegepas.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Society is continually in search of ways to optimise various objectives. When faced with multiple and con icting objectives, humans are in need of solution techniques to enable optimisation. This research is based on a recent venture in the eld of multi-objective optimisation, the use of the cross-entropy method to solve multi-objective problems. The document provides a brief overview of the two elds, multi-objective optimisation and the cross-entropy method, touching on literature, basic concepts and applications or techniques. The application of the method to two problems is then investigated. The rst application is to the multi-objective vehicle routing problem with soft time windows, a widely studied problem with many real-world applications. The problem is modelled mathematically with a transition probability matrix that is updated according to cross-entropy principles before converging to an approximation solution set. The highly constrained problem is successfully modelled and the optimisation algorithm is applied to a set of benchmark problems. It was found that the cross-entropy method for multi-objective optimisation is a valid technique in providing feasible and non-dominated solutions. The second application is to a real world case study in blood management done at the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service. The conceptual model is derived from interviews with relevant stakeholders before discrete event simulation is used to model the system. The cross-entropy method is used to optimise the inventory policy of the system by simultaneously maximising the combined service level of the system and minimising the total distance travelled. By integrating the optimisation and simulation model, the study shows that the inventory policy of the service can improve signi cantly, and the use of the cross-entropy algorithm adequately progresses to a front of solutions. The research proves the remarkable width and simplicity of possible applications of the cross-entropy algorithm for multi-objective optimisation, whilst contributing to literature on the vehicle routing problem and blood management. Results on benchmark problems for the vehicle routing problem with soft time windows are provided and an improved inventory policy is suggested to the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die mensdom is voortdurend op soek na maniere om verskeie doelwitte te optimeer. Wanneer die mens konfrontreer word met meervoudige en botsende doelwitte, is oplossingsmetodes nodig om optimering te bewerkstellig. Hierdie navorsing is baseer op 'n nuwe wending in die veld van multi-doelwit optimering, naamlik die gebruik van die kruisentropie metode om multi-doelwit probleme op te los. Die dokument verskaf 'n bre e oorsig oor die twee velde { multi-doelwit optimering en die kruis-entropie-metode { deur kortliks te kyk na die beskikbare literatuur, basiese beginsels, toepassingsareas en metodes. Die toepassing van die metode op twee onafhanklike probleme word dan ondersoek. Die eerste toepassing is di e van die multi-doelwit voertuigroeteringsprobleem met plooibare tydvensters. Die probleem word eers wiskundig modelleer met 'n oorgangswaarskynlikheidsmatriks. Die matriks word dan deur kruis-entropie beginsels opdateer voor dit konvergeer na 'n benaderingsfront van oplossings. Die oplossingsruimte is onderwerp aan heelwat beperkings, maar die probleem is suksesvol modelleer en die optimeringsalgoritme is gevolglik toegepas op 'n stel verwysingsprobleme. Die navorsing het gevind dat die kruis-entropie metode vir multi-doelwit optimering 'n geldige metode is om 'n uitvoerbare front van oplossings te beraam. Die tweede toepassing is op 'n gevallestudie van die bestuur van bloed binne die konteks van die Westelike Provinsie Bloedoortappingsdiens. Na aanleiding van onderhoude met die relevante belanghebbers is 'n konsepmodel geskep voor 'n simulasiemodel van die stelsel gebou is. Die kruis-entropie metode is gebruik om die voorraadbeleid van die stelsel te optimeer deur 'n gesamentlike diensvlak van die stelsel te maksimeer en terselfdetyd die totale reis-afstand te minimeer. Deur die optimerings- en simulasiemodel te integreer, wys die studie dat die voorraadbeleid van die diens aansienlik kan verbeter, en dat die kruis-entropie algoritme in staat is om na 'n front van oplossings te beweeg. Die navorsing bewys die merkwaardige wydte en eenvoud van moontlike toepassings van die kruis-entropie algoritme vir multidoelwit optimering, terwyl dit 'n bydrae lewer tot die afsonderlike velde van voertuigroetering en die bestuur van bloed. Uitslae vir die verwysingsprobleme van die voertuigroeteringsprobleem met plooibare tydvensters word verskaf en 'n verbeterde voorraadbeleid word aan die Westelike Provinsie Bloedoortappingsdiens voorgestel.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to compare the aviation derived reliability metric known as the Maintenance Free Operating Period (MFOP), with the traditionally used, and commonly found, reliability metric Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), which has over the years shown some innate disadvantages in the field of maintenance. It will be shown that this is mainly due to MTBF’s inherent acceptance of failure and the unscheduled maintenance therewith directly connected. Moreover, MFOP is successfully applied to a mining specific case study, as to date, no other application of the MFOP concept to the mining sector is known. An extensive literature study is presented, which covers concepts relevant to the overall study and which helps to contextualise the problem, revealing the major shortcomings of the commonly accepted MTBF metric. A methodology to analyse systems MFOP performance, making use of failure statistics to analyse both repairable and non-repairable systems, is presented. Validation makes use of a case study which applies the MFOP methodology to a system, specifically in the mining sector. It was shown that MFOP could be applied to the data obtained from the mining sector, producing estimates which were accurate representations of reality. These findings provide an exciting basis on which to begin to facilitate a paradigm shift in the mind set of maintenance personnel, setting reliability targets and dealing with unscheduled maintenance stops. KEYWORDS: Maintenance Free Operating Period, Mean Time Between Failure, Maintenance, Mining / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die Onderhoudvrye Bedryf Tydperk (OBT), ’n betroubaarheidsmaatstaf afkomstig van die lugvaart industrie, te vergelyk met die Gemiddelde Tyd Tussen Falings (GTTF) maatstaf wat tradisioneel in algemene gebruik is, maar wat oor die jare inherente nadele met betrekking tot instandhouding geopenbaar het. Dit sal bewys word dat hierdie nadele hoofsaaklik ontstaan as gevolg van die GTTF se inherente aanvaarding van failure en die ongeskeduleerde instandhouding wat daarmee gepaard gaan. OBT word ook suksesvol aangewend in ’n mynwese-spesifieke gevallestudie, wat aaangegaan is aangesien geen ander sooortgelyke aanwending in die mynwese sektor tot datum bekend is nie. ’n Breedvoerige literatuurstudie word voorgelê wat relevante konsepte dek en die probleem binne konteks plaas, en daardeur die hoof tekortkominge van die algemeen aanvaarde GTTF metriek ontbloot. ’n Metodologie waardeur analise van die stelsel werkverrigting van die OBT uitgevoer kan word met gebruik van onderbrekings statistiek om herstelbaar sowel as onherstelbare stelsels te analiseer, word voorgestel. Geldigheid word getoets deur ’n gevallestudie wat die OBT metodologie aangewend word spesifiek vir ’n stelsel in die mynwese Dit is bewys dat OBT toegepas kan word op data afkomstig van die mynwese sector, en skattings lewer wat akkurate voorstellings is van die werklikheid. Hierdie bevindinge is opwindend, en dit dien as die basis vir ’n die aanwending van ’n paradigmaskuif in die benadering van instandhoudingspersoneel tot die daarstelling van teikens vir betroubaarheid en ook in hul hantering van ongeskeduleerde instandhoudingsophoud. SLEUTELWOORDE: Onderhoudvrye Bedryf Tydperk, Gemiddelde Tyd Tussen Falings, Onderhoud, Mynbou

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The successful execution of the Physical Asset Management Strategy (PAMS) is an important value driver for organisations, whose core business is highly dependent on the service delivery of physical assets. However, contemporary research demonstrates that scheduled targets are often not met and the means to detect the constraints that can undermine the strategy execution efforts are deficient. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a method to map primary constraints in Physical Asset Management Strategy Execution (PAMSE). A comprehensive literature review addresses the domains of Physical Asset Management (PAM) and SNA. The review of the literature is supported by interviews with practitioners in the field of PAM. Consequently, the challenges experienced in PAM are contextualised along with the capabilities of SNA and the most important constraints in PAMSE are identified. As an interim result, the study found that dysfunctional information flow and poor decision making are the primary constraints that could hinder the execution of a PAMS. As a consequence thereof, a SNA application methodology was developed in order to scrutinise these areas of concern. The methodology was applied at two research sites in the South African mining industry. Network data for the study was collected by surveys conducted in June and July 2012. The case studies demonstrate that a SNA application in PAM requires a number of prerequisites that are crucial to its success. Nevertheless, a successful SNA application may yield valuable results identifying the problems encountered in PAMSE. Most importantly, the SNA highlights overloaded key employees, collaborative breakdowns and excessive intradepartmental collaboration that have the potential to hinder the PAMSE process. The results were validated by means of dialogue with the individuals involved in the study. This study found that SNA can be used as a method to map the primary constraints experienced by PAMSE. It also emphasises that there are important prerequisites that have to be established for SNA to be successful. Future research could be carried out based on the results of this thesis, in order to design improvement plans for the studied research site and possibly conduct a second SNA to investigate whether the constraints, identified in the study, had been resolved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die suksesvolle uitvoering van die Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie is ’n belangrike genereerder van waarde vir organisasies waar die kernbesigheid tot ’n groot mate afhanklik is van die dienslewering van fisiese bates. Hedendaagse navorsing wys egter dat geskeduleerde mylpale meestal nie bereik word nie en dat die metodes wat gebruik word om vas te stel watter beperkings die strategie-uitvoering ondermyn, ontoereikend is. Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die aanwending van Sosiale Netwerkanalise as ’n metode te ondersoek, om die primêre beperkings ten opsigte van die uitvoering van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie te identifiseer. ’n Omvattende literatuuroorsig is uitgevoer wat die gebied van Fisiese Batebestuur en Sosiale Netwerkanalise aanspreek. Die literatuuroorsig is aangevul deur onderhoude met kundiges op die gebied van Fisiese Batebestuur. Sodoende kon die uitdagings van Fisiese Batebestuur bestudeer word in die konteks en vermoëns van Sosiale Netwerkanalise, en gevolglik is die belangrikste beperkings in Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie-Uitvoering geïdentifiseer. Die voorlopige resultate van die studie het bevind dat gebrekkige inligtingsvloei en swak besluitneming die hoofbeperkings is wat die uitvoering van ’n Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie kan verhinder. Gevolglik is ’n Sosiale Netwerkanalise toepassingsmetodiek ontwikkel om dié probleemareas onder die mikroskoop te plaas. Dié metodiek is dan op twee teiken-aanlegte in die Suid-Afrikaanse Mynbou Industrie toegepas. Netwerkdata vir die studie is deur middel van meningsopnames in Junie en Julie 2012 ingesamel. Die gevallestudies demonstreer dat ’n Sosiale Netwerkanalisetoepassing in Fisiese Batebestuur waardevolle resultate kan lewer met betrekking tot die probleme wat ondervind word in die uitvoer van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie. Onder die belangrikste bevindings van die Sosiale Netwerkanalise tel die oorbelasting van sleutelposwerknemers, mislukte samewerking, asook eksessiewe interdepartementele samewerking met die potensiaal om die uitvoering van die Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie te verhinder. Die bevindings is deur dialoog met die individuele deelnemers in die ondersoek gestaaf. Die studie het bevind dat Sosiale Netwerkanalise geskik is as ’n metode om die primêre beperkings, wat ondervind word in die uitvoering van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie, te identifiseer. Dit moet egter ook beklemtoon word dat daar belangrike voorvereistes bestaan, wat vir die suksesvolle toepassing van Sosiale Netwerkanalise in plek moet wees. Toekomstige navorsing kan gebaseer word op die uitkoms van dié tesis met die doel om ontwerpverbeteringsplanne vir die teiken-aanlegte op te stel. Daarbenewens kan ’n moontlike opvolg Sosiale Netwerkanalise uitgevoer word om te meet of die beperkings wat deur die ondersoek geidentifiseer is, oorkom is.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Predictive analytics in healthcare has become one of the major focus areas in healthcare delivery worldwide. Due to the massive amount of healthcare data being captured, healthcare providers and health insurers are investing in predictive analytics and its enabling technologies to provide valuable insight into a large variety of healthcare outcomes. One of the latest developments in the field of healthcare predictive modelling (PM) was the launch of the Heritage Health Prize; a competition that challenges individuals from across the world to develop a predictive model that successfully identifies the patients at risk of admission to hospital from a given patient population. The patient-admission predictive algorithm (PAPA) is aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary hospitalisations that needlessly constrain healthcare service delivery worldwide. The aim of the research presented is to determine the feasibility and value of applying PAPAs in the South African healthcare system as part of a preventive care intervention strategy. A preventive care intervention strategy is a term used to describe an out-patient hospital service, aimed at providing preventive care in an effort to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations from occurring. The thesis utilises quantitative and qualitative techniques. This included a review of the current and historic PM applications in healthcare to determine the major expected shortfalls and barriers to implementation of PAPAs, as well as the institutional and operational requirements of these predictive algorithms. The literature study is concluded with a review of the current state of affairs in the South African healthcare system to, firstly, articulate the need for PAPAs and, secondly, to determine whether the public and private sectors provide a suitable platform for implementation (evaluated based on the operational and institutional requirements of PAPAs). Furthermore, a methodology to measure and analyse the potential value-add of a PAPA care intervention strategy was designed and developed. The methodology required a survey of the industry leaders in the private healthcare sector of South Africa to identify, firstly, the current performance foci and, secondly, the factors that compromise the performance of these organisations to deliver high quality, resource-effective care. A quantitative model was developed and applied to an industry leader in the private healthcare sector of South Africa, in order to gauge the resultant impact of a PAPA care intervention strategy on healthcare provider performance. Lastly, in an effort to ensure the seamless implementation and operation of PAPAs, an implementation framework was developed to address the strategic, tactical, and operational challenges of applying predictive analytics and preventive care strategies similar to PAPAs. The research found that the application of PAPAs in the public healthcare sector of South Africa is infeasible. The private healthcare sector, however, was considered a suitable platform to implement PAPAs, as this sector satisfies the institutional and operational requirements of PAPAs. The value-add model found that a PAPA intervention strategy will add significant value to the performance of healthcare providers in the private healthcare sector of South Africa. Noteworthy improvements are expected in the ability of healthcare provider’s to coordinate patient care, patient-practitioner relationships, inventory service levels, and staffing level efficiency and effectiveness. A slight decrease in the financial operating margin, however, was documented. The value-add methodology and implementation support framework provides a suitable platform for future researchers to explore the collaboration of preventive care and PM in an effort to improve healthcare resource management in hospitals. In conclusion, patient-admission predictive algorithms provide improved evidence-based decision making for preventive care intervention strategies. An efficient and effective preventive care intervention strategy improves healthcare provider performance and, therefore, adds significant value to these organisations. With the proper planning and implementation support, the application of PAPA care intervention strategies will change the way healthcare is delivered worldwide. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vooruitskattingsanalises in gesondheidsorg het ontwikkel in een van die mees belangrike fokusareas in die lewering van kwaliteit gesondheidsorg in ontwikkelde lande. Gesondheidsorgverskaffers en lewensversekeraars belê in vooruitskattingsanalise en ooreenstemmende tegnologieë om groot hoeveelhede gesondheidsorg pasiënt-data vas te lê, wat waardevolle insigte bied ten opsigte van ʼn groot verskeidenheid van gesondheidsorg-uitkomstes. Een van die nuutste ontwikkelinge in die veld van gesondheidsorg vooruitskattingsanalises, was die bekendstelling van die “Heritage Health Prize”, 'n kompetisie wat individue regoor die wêreld uitdaag om 'n vooruitskattingsalgoritme te ontwikkel wat pasiënte identifiseer wat hoogs waarskynlik gehospitaliseer gaan word in die volgende jaar en as bron-intensief beskou word as gevolg van die beraamde tyd wat hierdie individue in die hospitaal sal deurbring. Die pasiënt-toelating vooruitskattingsalgoritme (PTVA) het ten doel om onnodige hospitaliserings te identifiseer en te voorkom tem einde verbeterde hulpbronbestuur in gesondheidsorg wêreldwyd te bewerkstellig. Die doel van die hierdie projek is om die uitvoerbaarheid en waarde van die toepassing van PTVAs, as 'n voorkomende sorg intervensiestrategie, in die Suid-Afrikaanse gesondheidsorgstelsel te bepaal. 'n Voorkomende sorg intervensiestrategie poog om onnodige hospitaliserings te verhoed deur die nodige sorgmaatreëls te verskaf aan hoë-riskio pasiënte, sonder om hierdie individue noodwendig te hospitaliseer. Die tesis maak gebruik van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe tegnieke. Dit sluit in 'n hersiening van die huidige en historiese vooruitskattings modelle in die gesondheidsorgsektor om die verwagte struikelblokke in die implementering van PTVAs te identifiseer, asook die institusionele en operasionele vereistes van hierdie vooruitskattingsalgoritmes te bepaal. Die literatuurstudie word afgesluit met 'n oorsig van die huidige stand van sake in die Suid-Afrikaanse gesondheidsorgstelsel om, eerstens, die behoefte vir PTVAs te identifiseer en, tweedens, om te bepaal of die openbare en private sektore 'n geskikte platform vir implementering bied (gebaseer op die operasionele en institusionele vereistes van PTVAs). Verder word 'n metodologie ontwerp en ontwikkel om die potensiële waarde-toevoeging van 'n PTVA sorg intervensiestrategie te bepaal. Die metode vereis 'n steekproef van die industrieleiers in die private gesondheidsorgsektor van Suid-Afrika om die volgende te identifiseer: die huidige hoë-prioriteit sleutel prestasie aanwysers (SPAs), en die faktore wat die prestasie van hierdie organisasies komprimeer om hoë gehalte, hulpbron-effektiewe sorg te lewer. 'n Kwantitatiewe model is ontwikkel en toegepas op een industrieleier in die private Stellenbosch gesondheidsorgsektor van Suid-Afrika, om die gevolglike impak van 'n PTVA sorg intervensiestrategie op prestasieverbetering te meet. Ten slotte, in 'n poging om te verseker dat die implementering en werking van PTVAs glad verloop, is 'n implementeringsraamwerk ontwikkel om die strategiese, taktiese en operasionele uitdagings aan te spreek in die toepassing van vooruitskattings analises en voorkomende sorg strategieë soortgelyk aan PTVAs. Die navorsing het bevind dat die toepassing van PTVAS in die openbare gesondheidsorgsektor van Suid-Afrika nie lewensvatbaar is nie. Die private gesondheidsorgsektor word egter beskou as 'n geskikte platform om PTVAs te implementeer, weens die bevrediging van die institusionele en operasionele vereistes van PTVAs. Die waarde-toevoegings model het bevind dat 'n PTVA intervensiestrategie beduidende waarde kan toevoeg tot die prestasieverbetering van gesondheidsorgverskaffers in die private gesondheidsorgsektor van Suid-Afrika. Die grootste verbetering word in die volgende SPAs verwag; sorg koördinasie, dokter-pasiënt verhoudings, voorraad diensvlakke, en personeel doeltreffendheid en effektiwiteit. 'n Effense afname in die finansiële bedryfsmarge word egter gedokumenteer. 'n Implementering-ondersteuningsraamwerk is ontwikkel in 'n poging om die sleutel strategiese, taktiese en operasionele faktore in die implementering en uitvoering van 'n PTVA sorg intervensiestrategie uit te lig. Die waarde-toevoegings metodologie en implementering ondersteuning raamwerk bied 'n geskikte platform vir toekomstige navorsers om die rol van vooruitskattings modelle in voorkomende sorg te ondersoek, in 'n poging om hulpbronbestuur in hospitale te verbeter. Ten slotte, PTVAs verbeter bewysgebaseerde besluitneming vir voorkomende sorg intervensiestrategieë. 'n Doeltreffende en effektiewe voorkomende sorg intervensiestrategie voeg aansienlike waarde tot die algehele prestasieverbetering van gesondheidsorgverskaffers. Met behoorlike beplanning en ondersteuning met implementering, sal PTVA sorg intervensiestrategieë die manier waarop gesondheidsorg gelewer word, wêreldwyd verander.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Clustering has emerged as one of the drivers for economic growth and improved competitiveness for specific industries. In order for cluster initiatives to be successful, they need to be managed in a certain way. The importance of excellent cluster management has been increasingly realised in the past years. Certain factors of cluster management are considered to lead to success in the management of cluster initiatives as identified in published research. In the same vain, certain aspects of cluster program management are considered to lead to success. A cluster program run by the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCPG) in South Africa is analysed and compared to the generic success factors in cluster program management. Selected cluster initiatives in the Western Cape are analysed and compared with each other as well as to these success factors in cluster management. The Western Cape Tooling Initiative (WCTI), a cluster initiative in the tool, die and mould making industry, is analysed in more detail, and compared to the other cluster initiatives, all of which but one are part of the cluster program. WCTI is found to not have been following success factors in cluster management, and the rate of progress of the WCTI from when it was started supports that fact. However, recent changes in the leadership of the cluster initiative have brought about changes in WCTI’s cluster management emphasis and signs of increased success can be noticed, even though the full effect will not be felt until after some years as success in cluster management takes years to be realised. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Trosvervaardiging het in die onlangse verlede ontwikkel tot een van die drywers vir ekonomiese groei en verhoogde kompeterendheid in spefifieke industrië. Tros inisiatiewe vereis ‘n spesifieke bestuursraamwerk om hulle potensiaal te bereik, en die belangrikheid van uitstekende bestuurspraktyke word al hoe meer beklemtoon. Sekere faktore, beskryf in literatuur, van bestuur bleik te lei na sukses in die bestuur van sulke inisiatiewe. Op ‘n soortgelyke basis is daar aspekte van trosprogram bestuur wat voorvereistes vir sukses is. ‘n Trosprogram onder leiding van die Wes Kaapse Provinsiale Regering in Suid Afrika word analiseer en vergelyk met die generiese sukses faktore van trosprogrambestuur. Verskeie trosinisiatiewe in die Wes Kaap word ondersoek en met mekaar vergelyk asook gemeet aan hierdie suksesfaktore. Meer spesifiek word die “Western Cape Tooling Initiative” (WCTI) in meer detail analiseer, en vergelyk met die ander inisiatiewe wat almal, met een uitsondering, deel is van die trosprogram self. Daar is gevind dat die WCTI nie streng volgens die riglyne en/of binne die raamwerk van suksesvolle trosbestuur opgetree het nie, en dit word gestaaf deur die relatief lae sukseskoers tot dusver. Met die onlangse veranderinge aan die leierskap van die inisiatief bleik dit egter dat meer aandag aan hierdie praktyke gegee word, en daar is tekens van ‘n verbetering in die prestasie van die program. Die volle effek van hierdie veranderinge sal egter ‘n rukkie neem om volledig tot uitwerking te kom.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease is a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage and resulting in the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margins of the joints. The degradation of the musculoskeletal system, which is mainly caused by joint injury, obesity (leading to musculoskeletal fatigue) and aging can also lead to osteoarthritis. The hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees are commonly affected. The only medical solution to severe cases of osteoarthritis is the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a malformed or degenerated joint, better known as arthroplasty. Arthroplasty makes use of biomedical implants and replacements to restore functionality of the joints. Biomedical engineering in arthroplasty is an ever increasing field of interest as a result of its innovative improvements to surgical quality. Certain cases of partial osteoarthritis require less surgical action. Partial knee replacement surgery, also known as unicondylar (or unicompartmental) knee arthroplasty involves a covering which is placed over the affected area to resurface the affected bone and protect the patient from further degeneration. Advantages of partial replacement include faster recovery time and less post-operative pain. The biomedical implants used for these operations consist of a standardized implant that is fit onto the bone by modifying (cutting away) the outer structure of the bone. The result is known to cause post-operative discomfort among some patients. The problem with these standard designs includes the requirement of the removal of unaffected (healthy) bone matter, leading to induced trauma and pain for patients during the recovery phase of the operations. A preferred alternative to the standard design would be to create a custom implant for every patient, reducing the need to remove parts of unaffected bone matter. The implementation of this proposed method tends toward Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS). MIS is normally preferred as it reduces the risk of various negative consequences of normal arthroplasty such as nerve or tendon damage during surgery. It could be argued that the proposed method may cause less damage to the fragile tendon, bloodflow, and nerve networks of the knee. Increasing material costs of metal products introduce great interest in more cost efficient forming processes to reduce the loss of redundant blank material. Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF), a relatively new class of forming process, has the potential to meet the need for this more efficient forming process. The ISF process is highly flexible, can be developed in normal milling machines, and can reduce production cost by up to 90% in comparison to processes such as stamping. The ISF process is a non-patented process, as the existing patents are referred to the designed machines and not the process. The availability of the ISF process contributes greatly to its attractiveness. ISF can be implemented in any facility that has access to a three- or more-axis CNC machine. The advantage of ISF implemented in CNC machines is that CNC technology has already reached a mature stage in development, contributing to the accuracy and methodology (such as feed rate or angular velocity of the tool) of the ISF process. The forming of valuable lightweight materials is well covered by ISF processes. A variety of studies contribute to research on the forming of titanium and titanium based alloys as part of ISF of lightweight materials. The ISF process utilizes the functionality of commercial CNC machines, improving the process availability of many manufacturing companies. The ISF process offers fast setup times and flexibility of the forming process. The purpose of this project is to define a process chain for creating a customized biomedical implant as well as determining the validity of the process chain by applying each step. The design and development procedure of a titanium based biomedical arthroplasty implant using innovative Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) techniques will be documented, as well as an investigation of the financial cost and potential gain that this implant can offer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Osteoartritis is 'n gewrig siekte wat degeneratiewe newe-effekte behels in die gewrigte. Hierdie siekte lei to die geleidelike verlies van kraakbeen en lei tot die onreelmatige ontwikkeling van abnormale beengroei. Osteoartritis kan ook deur beserings in die gewrig veroorsaak word. Die hande, voete, ruggraat, en enige groter gewigdraende gewrigte, soos die heupe en knieë kan geaffekteer word. Die enigste mediese oplossing tot ernstige gevalle van die siekte is chirurgiese rekonstruksie of vervanging van die gewrig, meer bekend as artroplastie. Artroplastie maak gebruik van biomediese implantate om funksionaliteit van die gewrig te herstel. Biomediese ingenieurswese in artroplastie is 'n toenemende navorsingsveld as gevolg van die innoverende aspekte om chirurgiese kwaliteit te verhoog. Sekere gevalle van gedeeltelike osteoartritis vereis veel minder chirurgiese behandeling. Gedeeltelike knie vervanging chirurgie, meer bekend as unikompartementele knie artroplastie, behels 'n bedekking wat slegs die geaffekteerde been bedek, om die pasiënt van verdere degenerasie te beskerm. Voordele van gedeeltelike vervanging sluit vinniger herstel tyd en minder pyn in. Die biomediese implantate wat gebruik word vir hieride operasies bestaan uit standaard ontwerpe wat aan die been gepas word deur die wysiging (of wegsny) van die buitenste beenstruktuur. Die nagevolg van hierdie chirurgie is lang herstel periodes en kan ongemaklikheid in die knie veroorsaak. Die probleem met die bogenoemde standaard is dat die prosedure die verweidering van selfs ongeaffekteerde (of gesonde) been in sluit, wat lei tot verdere kniepyn en ongemak vir pasiënte lei tydens die herstelperiode. 'n Verkiesde alternatief tot die standaard ontwerpe is om 'n persoonlikke implantaat vir elke pasiënt te skep, en so kan die behoefte om dele van ongeaffekteerde been te behou moontlik wees. Die toepassing van die voorgestelde metode neig na Minimale Skade Chirurgie (MSC). MSC word gewoonlik verkies om die risiko van verskeie negatiewe nagevolge te verminder, en skade aan die tendon, bloed- en senunetwerke van die knie te beperk. Die toenemende materiaalkoste vand metal produkte lei tot 'n groot belangstelling in meer koste besparing vormings prosesse, om sodoende die verlies van oortollige materiaalverlies te verminder. Inkrementele Plaat Vervorming (IPV), 'n relatiewe nuwe klas van vervorming, is 'n waardige kanidaat om hierdie doel te bereik. Die IPV proses is baie toepaslik, en kan deur die gebruik van Rekenaar Numeriese Kontrole (RNK) masjienerie toegepas word. Verder sal dit vervaardigingskoste kan verlaag met soveel as 90% in vergelyking met ander prosese soos die stempel metode. Die beskikbaarheid van die IPV proses dra grootliks by tot die proses se aantreklikheid in die industrie. IPV kan geimplementeer word in enige fasiliteit wat toegang tot 'n drie-as RNK masjien het. Die voordeel van dit is die feit dat RNK masjienerie klaar ontwikkel en volwasse is, wat kan bydra tot goeie akkuraatheid in die vormingsproses. Die vervaardiging van laegewig materiale soos titaan of aluminium is gedokumenteer. 'n Verskeidenheid van studies dra waarde tot navorsing van die vormingsproses van titaan as deel hiervan. Die IPV proses bied vinnige opstel tye en goeie buigsaamheid met die vormingsproses, veral met behulp van 'n vyf-as masjien. Die doel van hierdie projek is om 'n proses ketting te ontwerp. Die proses ketting, wat uit vele stappe bestaan, sal die ontwerp en vervaardigingsproses van 'n persoonlike biomediese knie implantaat bevestig deur middel van die IPV vormings tegniek. Validasie van die proses ketting sal dus plaasvind deur die stappe van die voorgestelde proses ketting uit te voer. 'n Finale ondersoek sal die finansiele en regalutoriese aspekte van die projek aanspreek.

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a great number of patients and not enough medical expertise to attend to their patient needs. The South African Department of Health (DoH) has recognised the potential benefit of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to address the health needs of rural patients who do not have access to specialised medical care. PACS allows specialist remote access to patient information to assist the diagnosis and treatment process remotely. South African healthcare institutions have been implementing PACS for over a decade, in an attempt to address the health needs of rural patients that do not have access to specialised medical care. Despite numerous deployment attempts, and the DoH’s support for PACS, the system is not operating successfully in South Africa. PACS was chosen due to its proven success as an appropriate technical system in most international hospitals of first and third- world countries (van Wetering, 2008) (Horri, 2010). However, specifications, guidelines and best practice operational methods for the appropriate PACS technical structure are lacking in South African literature and in governmental strategies. Additionally, there are no guidelines for implementation or support for hospital decision makers to manage the system and enterprise change. The purpose of this thesis is to (a) define a PACS technical and operational structure suited for the South African public healthcare environment and, (b) to develop guidelines for implementation and optimisation of PACS for managing the system and the enterprise change and progressively reach the defined structure. A combination of literature research, field observations and focus group discussions led to the understanding of the current (“As-Is”) PACS healthcare delivery system in South Africa and its barriers. Three types of PACS structures were found to be currently available: a DICOM-only image management system; a vendor supplied PACS; and a super-PACS. It was found that currently very few PACS systems in South Africa are operational and integrated with other healthcare institutions. This was due to a combination of factors: a) the complex, long chain of interdependent process steps and domains; b) vendor imposed limitations and propriety data formats; in combination with c) a lack of governing standards to ensure integration of digital PACS systems within the healthcare delivery environment; and lastly d) key decision makers lack the expert knowledge necessary to make informed decisions to deploy and manage PACS optimally. Further research led to establishing the (“To-Be”) PACS technical and operational structure suited for the South African public healthcare environment. Research has shown that the suited PACS technical and operational structure is a hospital-owned PACS system, free from vendor-imposed limits. The system consists of two databases, one with patient information and the other with patient images. The two databases are integrated by a hospital-owned server, which accesses the separate data files by means of patient identity keys. The requirements for the PACS implementation and optimisation guidelines for managing the system and the enterprise change to progressively reach the defined structure were developed. Different Enterprise Architectural Frameworks, as improvement and optimisation guidelines, were considered and compared in accordance with the requirements established. A maturity model (MM) was deemed as the appropriate framework to offer guidelines for managing PACS implementation and optimisation in the public medical sector of South Africa. After establishing that the available MMs were not sufficient in process or technical system detail, a new MM was developed for the deployment and maturation of PACS. The study was validated by means of usability study, user acceptance and goal checking, through focus group discussion and expert review. Users found the model to be a suitable deployment and optimisation guide, as well as a strategic planning tool. Verification was achieved by means of requirement analysis and consistency checking through the focus group discussions. It was found that it is needed to define a PACS technical and operational structure is suited for the South African public healthcare environment and that the guidelines for implementation and optimisation of PACS for managing the system and the enterprise needs to change to reach the defined structure functional. Implementing the use of PACS MM to reach the defined structure in South Africa will assist in improving healthcare delivery in South Africa and improving PACS system operation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika het 'n groot aantal pasiënte en nie genoeg mediese kundiges om aan hul pasiënt behoeftes te voorsien nie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Gesondheid (DvG) erken die potensiële voordeel van ‘n Foto Argief en Kommunikasie Stelsel (PACS) om die gesondheidsbehoeftes van alle Suid-Afrikaners aan te spreek – tot die landelike pasiënte wat nie toegang tot gespesialiseerde mediese sorg het nie. PACS laat spesialiste toe om toegang te kry tot afgeleë pasiënt inligting, en daardeur fasiliteer dit die diagnose- en behandelingsproses. Suid-Afrikaanse gesondheidsorginstellings poog al vir meer as ‘n dekade om PACS te implementeer, om daardeur die gesondheidsbehoeftes van landelike pasiënte wat nie toegang tot gespesialiseerde mediese sorg het nie, aan te spreek. Ten spyte van talle ontplooiings pogings, en die DvG se steun vir PACS, is die stelsel steeds nie suksesvol in Suid-Afrika nie. PACS is gekies as ‘n oplossing, as gevolg van die sisteem se bewese sukses as 'n geskikte tegniese stelsel in meeste internasionale hospitale in eerste en derde wêreld lande (van Wetering, 2008) (Horri, 2010). Suid-Afrikaanse regering strategie en literatuur het egter ‘n gebrek aan spesifikasies, riglyne en beste- praktyk operasionele metodes vir die toepaslike PACS tegniese struktuur. Benewens is daar geen riglyne vir die implementering en ondersteuning van die stelsel en die onderneming se verandering vir hospitaal besluitnemers nie. Die doel van hierdie tesis is om (a) 'n PACS tegniese en operasionele struktuur, geskik vir die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare gesondheidsorg omgewing te definieer, en (b) riglyne vir die implementering en afronding van PACS vir die bestuur van die stelsel en die onderneming se verandering teen doel om progressief die gedefinieerde struktuur te bereik. 'n Kombinasie van literatuur navorsing, veldwaarnemings en fokusgroepbesprekings het gelei tot die begrip van die huidige ("as- is") PACS gesondheidsorg proses in Suid-Afrika en die hindernisse daarvan. Drie tipes PACS strukture is tans beskikbaar in SA: 'n DICOM (net-mediese- beelde) beheer stelsel, 'n verkoper verskafde PACS, en 'n super-PACS. Deur uitgebreide navorsing is daar gevind dat baie min PACS stelsels in Suid-Afrika tans operasioneel en geïntegreer is met ander gesondheidsorg instellings. Dit was te danke aan 'n kombinasie van faktore: a) die kompleks, lang ketting van interafhanklike proses stappe en gebiede; b) ondernemer opgelê beperkings en ordentlikheid data formate; in kombinasie met c) 'n gebrek aan beheer standaarde integrasie van digitale PACS stelsels om te verseker binne die lewering van gesondheidsorg-omgewing, en laastens d) sleutel besluitnemers nie die deskundige kennis wat nodig is om ingeligte besluite te sit en te bestuur PACS optimaal te benut. Verdere navorsing het gelei tot die vestigting van die geskikde("to-be") PACS tegniese en operasionele struktuur, vir die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare gesondheidsorg omgewing. Die geskik PACS tegniese en operasionele struktuur bestaan uit ‘n hospitaal-besitde PACS stelsel, vry van ondernemer-opgelegde grense. Die stelsel bestaan uit twee databasisse, een met 'n pasiënt inligting en die ander met dei pasiënte se mediese beelde. Die twee databasisse geïntegreer deur 'n hospitaal-besitde-rekenaarbediener, wat toegang tot die afsonderlike data lêers het deur middel van die unieke pasiënt nommers. Die vereistes vir die PACS implementering en afrondings riglyne, vir die bestuur van die stelsel en die ondernemings veranderinge, is ontwikkel. Verskillende ondernimings argitektuur raamwerke is oorweeg en vergelyking in terme van hulle vermoe om aan die gesigde vereistes et voldoen. As ‘n resultaat is die volwassenheid model (MM) beskou as die toepaslike raamwerk om riglyne vir die bestuur van PACS implementering en afronding in die openbare mediese sektor van Suid-Afrika te bied. Na die beskikbare MMs geasseseer was en nie voldoende bewys is, was 'n nuwe MM ontwikkel vir die implementeering en afronding van PACS. Die studie was gevalideer deur middel van die bruikbaarheid studie, gebruikers aanvaarding en doelwit asseseering, deur middel van fokusgroep besprekings en kundige oorsig. Gebruikers het gevind dat die model geskikte as implementeerings en afrondings gids, sowel as 'n geskikte strategiese beplanning hulpmiddel is. Verifikasie is bereik deur middel van vereiste-ontleding en konsekwentheid analiseering deur die fokusgroep besprekings en spesifikasie analise. Die PACS tegniese en operasionele struktuur wat definieer was, is geskik vir die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare gesondheidsorg omgewing en dat die riglyne vir die implementering en afronding van PACS funksioneel is . Die implementering en gebruik van die gedefinieerde struktuur deur mideel van die PACS MM in Suid-Afrika, sal help in die verbetering van gesondheidsorg dienslewering en die verbetering van PACS stelsel operasie.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The management of physical assets has become a popular eld of study over recent years and is being acknowledged in multiple disciplines world wide. In this project, research on Physical Asset Management (PAM), maintenance and decision making are presented. PAM is a complex subject and requires the participation of multiple disciplines in order to successfully manage physical assets. Moreover, the management of maintenance makes a big contribution in achieving successful PAM. Decision making is a core element to manage maintenance e ciently, both on strategic and operational level. Various methods and techniques can be used to aid the decision making process such as, using past experience, xed decision making techniques and techniques involving numerical calculations, to mention only a few. However, using numerical calculations to make decisions are not very popular. This is due to various reasons, for example the inherent complexity of the mathematics and the time required to execute such calculations are disliked. People tend to avoid complex numerical calculations and rather rely on past experience and discussion of circulating opinions to make decisions. This is not ideal and can lead to inconsistent and inaccurate decisions. In this project, the importance of numerical decision making is researched, especially in maintenance related decisions. The focus is placed on the simpli cation of numerical decision making techniques with the aim to make it easy and quick to use to support operational PAM decisions. Di erent decisions regarding PAM, especially decisions with regards to managing maintenance in order to achieve PAM, are discussed by means of a literature study. This is done to clarify the applicability of using numerical decision making techniques to support this type of decisions. A few di erent available numerical techniques are highlighted that can be used to support the decision making process. The decisions together with numerical decision making techniques are evaluated in order to combine the most appropriate techniques in a simpli ed manner. The purpose of this is that it can be used by anyone with the necessary knowledge of a speci c system or operation. As a result a simpli ed numerical decision making toolbox is developed that can support maintenance related decision. This toolbox is applied to a real life situation by means of a case study, made possible by Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats). An evaluation and validation of the toolbox is done through the case study to conclude wether it has value in practice or not. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bestuur van siese bates het die afgelope paar jaar 'n gewilde studieveld geword en word erken in verskeie dissiplines reg oor die w^ereld. In hierdie projek word navorsing gedoen oor Fisiese Bate Bestuur (FBB), instandhouding en besluitneming. FBB is 'n komplekse onderwerp en vereis die deelname van verskeie dissiplines om sukses te behaal. Die bestuur van instandhouding maak 'n groot bydrae tot suksesvolle FBB. 'n Kern element van doeltre ende instandhouding is besluitneming, beide op strategiese en operasionele vlak. Verskillende metodes en tegnieke kan gebruik word om die besluitnemingsproses te ondersteun soos byvoorbeeld om gebruik te maak van ondervinding en vorige gebeurtenisse, vaste besluitnemingstegnieke, tegnieke wat numeriese berekeninge gebruik en nog meer. Die gebruik van numeriese metodes om besluite te neem is nie baie gewild nie. Dit is as gevolg van verskeie redes soos byvoorbeeld die inherente kompleksiteit en ingewikkeldheid van die wiskunde en ook die tyd wat benodig word om sulke berekeninge uit te voer. Mense is geneig om ingewikkelde numeriese berekeninge te vermy en eerder staat te maak op vorige ervaring en die bespreking van menings om besluite te neem. Dit is nie ideaal nie en kan lei tot onkonsekwente besluite, of selfs verkeerde besluite. In hierdie projek is die belangrikheid van numeriese besluitneming nagevors, veral in die onderhoudsverwante besluite. Die fokus word geplaas op die vereenvoudiging van die numeriese besluitnemings tegnieke. Die doel is om dit op so 'n manier te vereenvoudig dat dit maklik en vinnig is om te gebruik vir operasionele FBB besluite. Verskillende besluite oor FBB, veral besluite met betrekking tot instandhouding om suksesvolle FBB te bereik, word bespreek deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie. Die literatuurstudie ondersoek die toepaslikheid van die gebruik van numeriese besluitnemingstegnieke vir hierdie soort besluite. 'n Paar verskillende beskikbare numeriese tegnieke wat gebruik kan word om die besluitnemingsproses te ondersteun word uitgelig. Die besluite, saam met numeriese besluitnemingtegnieke, word ge evalueer om die mees gepaste tegnieke te kombineer in 'n vereenvoudigde manier. Uiteindelik moet dit deur enige iemand met die nodige kennis van 'n spesi eke stelsel of proses gebruik kan word. As resultaat is 'n vereenvoudigde numeriese besluitnemingstegniekkombinasie ontwikkel wat besluite verwant aan instandhouding kan ondersteun. Hierdie tegniek-kombinasie word toegepas in 'n werklike situasie deur middel van 'n gevallestudie, wat moontlik gemaak is deur Anglo American Platinum Limited. 'n Evaluering en validering van die tegniek-kombinasie word gedoen in die gevallestudie om te bepaal of dit wel waarde het in die praktyk of nie.