<p dir="ltr">The use of connected health technology is becoming increasingly significant in the field of healthcare. Artificial Intelligence- augmented workflows connected to treatment guidelines promise more inclusive care delivery. The AI/ML-based connected health informatics plays an integral role in every stage of medical product development, from initial discovery to providing guidance to healthcare providers, and finally to delivering patient care. The exponential growth of meta data and the rapid advancement of connected health technologies provide greater opportunities for novel healthcare solutions, delivery mechanisms, and clinical trial designs.</p><p dir="ltr">However, it poses complexity of the AI/ML-specific challenges besides all the challenges SaMD products face. The regulations for AI/ML-based connected solutions have yet to mature. The AI/ML SaMD development process requires additional considerations such as data quality and management, continuous deployment, and validation.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">This study delves into the integration of Machine Learning (ML) with medical software devices and how the current lifecycle models fit the needs of the AI industry. AI/ML-based SaMD development process artifacts are identified through the theory and AI/ML SaMD regulations and standards requirements. Moreover, this study analyzes collected data from interviews, surveys, and an experimental case study to identify success factors in building quality and agility for AI/ML-based SaMD development projects.</p><p dir="ltr">Incorporating of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare requires continuous deployment and validation processes, which may not be in line with the current workflow, capability, or authority of regulators. This research also highlights that model governance and technology access can be key challenges in implementing AI/ML development process artifacts, especially when integrated into connected health solutions.</p><p dir="ltr">This work sets the foundation for future research to reduce bottlenecks in the machine-learning process. The focus should be on aiding model governance to streamline development and ensure machine reliability. A suitable software toolchain is necessary for exploratory data analysis, data integration, documentation, model governance, monitoring, version control, and integration with other software and services within a connected health solution. Additionally, conducting more focused research on security and privacy in the context of connected health would be valuable.</p>

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 purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and the success of Information Technology (IT) projects. The study also seeks to find other critical success factors (CSFs) that influence IT projects success. What initiated this study, with reference to the literature review, is the apparent general view that IT project deliveries are still late, over budget, and unpredictable (Chow & Cao, 2008:961; The Standish Group, 2004). To some extent, the entire project fails before delivering an application. Hence this causes the need to investigate the employment of SDMs and their belief that SDMs improve quality in the development of IT projects and permit more flexible deployment to IT projects (Idea Group Publishing, 2006:13; Dyba et al., 2005:447; Mihailescu & Mihailescu, 2009:1). However, SDMs are still less popularly used (Siau & Tan, 2005:3132; Masrek I., 2008:137). The study provides insight into the relationship between SDMs and the IT projects. A survey using a questionnaire was carried out to obtain the data. The study employed a positivist paradigm and used a quantitative approach. A total of 132 questionnaires were returned from systems developers, IT project managers and team leaders from system development companies. It was found that there is a relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and IT project success. Despite recognizing the benefits and advantages of using SDMs, some respondents disclosed that they were not inclined to employ SDMs and the popular reason was that their profile of development projects didn‟t require the use of SDMs. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship. Consequently, the top ten CSFs were observed and it was found that “identifying potential risk” and “opportunity” were the most favourable factors. The study could have obtained richer and more insightful information regarding SDMs and critical success factors if more data had been collected. Future work should seek to determine the risks, challenges and problems associated with the adoption of SDMs. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and the success of Information Technology (IT) projects. The study also seeks to find other critical success factors (CSFs) that influence IT projects success. What initiated this study, with reference to the literature review, is the apparent general view that IT project deliveries are still late, over budget, and unpredictable (Chow & Cao, 2008:961; The Standish Group, 2004). To some extent, the entire project fails before delivering an application. Hence this causes the need to investigate the employment of SDMs and their belief that SDMs improve quality in the development of IT projects and permit more flexible deployment to IT projects (Idea Group Publishing, 2006:13; Dyba et al., 2005:447; Mihailescu & Mihailescu, 2009:1). However, SDMs are still less popularly used (Siau & Tan, 2005:3132; Masrek I., 2008:137). The study provides insight into the relationship between SDMs and the IT projects. A survey using a questionnaire was carried out to obtain the data. The study employed a positivist paradigm and used a quantitative approach. A total of 132 questionnaires were returned from systems developers, IT project managers and team leaders from system development companies. It was found that there is a relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and IT project success. Despite recognizing the benefits and advantages of using SDMs, some respondents disclosed that they were not inclined to employ SDMs and the popular reason was that their profile of development projects didn‟t require the use of SDMs. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship. Consequently, the top ten CSFs were observed and it was found that “identifying potential risk” and “opportunity” were the most favourable factors. The study could have obtained richer and more insightful information regarding SDMs and critical success factors if more data had been collected. Future work should seek to determine the risks, challenges and problems associated with the adoption of SDMs. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

At a theoretical level the research identifies a conceptual framework for the design of fruitful case discussions in an online environment and at a practical level, the conceptual framework has been used to implement and evaluate several versions of a case-based online course.

This thesis deals with the issue of Linked Open Data. The goal of this thesis is to introduce the reader to this issue as a whole and to the possibility of using Linked Open Data for developing useful applications by proposing a new development process focusing on such applications. The theoretical part offers an insight into the issue of Open Data, Linked Open Data and the NoSQL database systems and their usability in this field. It focuses mainly on graph database systems and compares them with relational database systems using predefined criteria. Additionally, the goal of this thesis is to develop an application using the proposed development process, which provides a tool for data presentation and statistical visualisation for open data sets published by the Supreme Audit Office and the Czech Trade Inspection. The application is mainly developed for the purpose of verifying the proposed development process and to demonstrate the connectivity of open data published by two different organizations.The thesis includes the process of selecting a development methodology, which is then used for optimising work on the implementation of the resulting application and the process of selecting a graph database system, that is used to store and modify open data for the purposes of the application.

The main focus of this study is to determine if systems development methodologies are being utilised in the development of electronic learning systems in South Africa and if these methodologies are being applied effectively. Essentially this study can be viewed as exploratory research, utilising a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships between the constructs and measurements. Electronic learning, or e-learning, is being employed to educate millions of learners, students and employees around the world and it is a critical component of modern educational systems. E-learning systems, or learning management systems, as it is known in the field, sit at the heart of these educational systems and are used to systematically deliver on-line content and facilitate the learning experience around that content. There is still much confusion and misconceptions surrounding e-learning and learning management systems abound. This study will try and clarify some of these misconceptions. In e-learning systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant as it is used to educate the minds of the future. To ensure that e-learning systems of outstanding quality are being developed, it is therefore crucial that systems development methodologies are being used as they can have a significant impact on the development process. There is a dearth of empirical research available on the use and effectiveness of systems development methodologies in South Africa. This study aims, amongst other things to make a contribution to the availability of empirical results. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilising a survey as the main research method and statistically analysing the dataset, meaningful results were obtained. This study gave some insights into how learning management system procurement and development is being done in South Africa and revealed that the use of open-source systems currently exceeds the use of proprietary systems. The results of the research showed that systems development methodologies (e.g. Object-Oriented Analysis and Rapid Application Development) are being used effectively in the development of e-learning systems. Strong relationships exist between many of the systems development methodology factors identified (e.g. performance expectancy and the perceived support of the methodology) and the quality and productivity of the development process. This in turn has a strong influence on the impact systems development methodologies have on the quality of learning management systems. / MCom (Computer Science & Information Systems), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The main focus of this study is to determine if systems development methodologies are being utilised in the development of electronic learning systems in South Africa and if these methodologies are being applied effectively. Essentially this study can be viewed as exploratory research, utilising a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships between the constructs and measurements. Electronic learning, or e-learning, is being employed to educate millions of learners, students and employees around the world and it is a critical component of modern educational systems. E-learning systems, or learning management systems, as it is known in the field, sit at the heart of these educational systems and are used to systematically deliver on-line content and facilitate the learning experience around that content. There is still much confusion and misconceptions surrounding e-learning and learning management systems abound. This study will try and clarify some of these misconceptions. In e-learning systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant as it is used to educate the minds of the future. To ensure that e-learning systems of outstanding quality are being developed, it is therefore crucial that systems development methodologies are being used as they can have a significant impact on the development process. There is a dearth of empirical research available on the use and effectiveness of systems development methodologies in South Africa. This study aims, amongst other things to make a contribution to the availability of empirical results. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilising a survey as the main research method and statistically analysing the dataset, meaningful results were obtained. This study gave some insights into how learning management system procurement and development is being done in South Africa and revealed that the use of open-source systems currently exceeds the use of proprietary systems. The results of the research showed that systems development methodologies (e.g. Object-Oriented Analysis and Rapid Application Development) are being used effectively in the development of e-learning systems. Strong relationships exist between many of the systems development methodology factors identified (e.g. performance expectancy and the perceived support of the methodology) and the quality and productivity of the development process. This in turn has a strong influence on the impact systems development methodologies have on the quality of learning management systems. / MCom (Computer Science & Information Systems), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base. Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies. Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools. Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Business process management (BPM) is a philosophical approach to organisation-wide management in which the focus is on the processes through which it operates, and in particular the streamlining and optimising of these processes, for which software solutions may be used. CTexT is an intrapreneurial software organisation that has been experiencing problems with software development due to a lack of formal processes relating to customer support, versioning, configuration, quality, risk and project management. The objective of the study is to determine whether the implementation of an electronic BPM system can effectively solve CTexT's development problems and thereby improve its overall software development capacity. More specifically, the focus is on i) the effect of the resulting standardisation on creativity and innovation, and ii) implementation matters, such as the type of processes that can be subjected to an electronic system, and how CTexT can overcome the time and cost constraints of such a system. The study investigates these questions by means of a literature investigation in combination with interviews with knowledgeable respondents from other innovative and software organisations. Interviews with six employees from CTexT determine the relevance of these findings and highlight critical areas for process improvement. Since BPM systems improve organisational efficiencies and are generally employed in larger corporate contexts marked by transactional and repetitive activities where they enforce administrative rules, the conclusion is drawn that a BPM system will not be suitable for an intrapreneurial organisation, and that it is likely to cause more disruption to the creative environment than improve its operations. It is further shown that although a BPM system is theoretically applicable to software development, it generally does not seem to be applied practically in the industry, and the suitability of this process as manageable through a BPM system is seriously questioned. Instead, the research points to improvement through the application of software development methodologies and a holistic approach towards BPM. The investigation at CTexT confirms that its development problems relate to flawed methodologies and that remedies should therefore focus on improving its methodologies and controlling certain aspects of the software development life cycle by means of suitable software tools. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007