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My research is about monitoring the software development process to assess Capability maturity level. Capability Maturity Model (CMM) was developed to improve the software process based on subjective assessment by teams of experts. We propose an objective CMM assessment, which replaces expensive and time-consuming human effort by a knowledge-based system. Compared to Subjective CMM assessment, Objective CMM assessment can be less expensive, takes less time, and is easy to estimate the software development environment maturity. The accuracy of Objective CMM assessment can be the same as Subjective CMM assessment if enough activities are represented as objective activities. For example, if subjective activities total 80 % and objective activities total 20 %, then the accuracy of Objective CMM assessment is not reliable. It would be reliable if the objective activity is increased up to 80% from 20%. This dissertation presents how to change from Subjective CMM assessment to Objective CMM assessment, and we will prove that Objective CMM Assessment is effective.

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Floods are natural phenomena which are a threat to human settlements. Flooding can result in costly repairs to buildings, loss of business and, in some cases, loss of life. The forecasts for climate change show a further increased risk of flooding in future years. Accordingly, the flooding of residential property has been observed as on the rise in the UK. It is difficult to prevent floods from occurring, but the effects of flooding can be managed in an attempt to reduce risks and costs of repair. This can be achieved through ensuring a good understanding of the problem, and thereby establishing good management systems which are capable of dealing with all aspects of the flood. The use of an intelligent system for assessment and remediation of buildings subjected to flooding damage can facilitate the management of this problem. Such a system can provide guidance for the assessment of vulnerability and the repair of flood damaged residential buildings; this could save time and money through the use of the advantages and benefits offered by knowledge base systems. A prototype knowledge base system has been developed in this research. The system comprises three subsystems: degree of vulnerability assessment subsystem; remediation options subsystem; and foundation damage assessment subsystem. The vulnerability assessment subsystem is used to calculate the degree of vulnerability, which will then be used by the remediation options subsystem to select remediation options strategy. The vulnerability assessment subsystem can subsequently be used to calculate the degree to which the building is vulnerable to damage by flooding even if it is not flooded. Remediation options subsystem recommended two strategy options: either ordinary remediation options in the case of vulnerability being low or, alternatively, resilience remediation options in the case of vulnerability being high. The foundation damage assessment subsystem is working alone and is used to assess the damage caused by flooding to the building s foundation, and to thereby recommend a repair option based on the damage caused and foundation type. The system has been developed based on the knowledge acquired from different sources and methods, including survey questionnaires, documents, interviews, and workshops. The system is then evaluated by experts and professionals in the industry. The developed system makes a contribution in the management and standardisation of residential building flooded damage and repair.

Das Anliegen der Arbeit besteht in der Entwicklung eines Wissensrepräsentationsmodells, das sich insbesondere für die Beschreibung komplex strukturierter Objekte eignet. Den Ausgangspunkt bildet eine Charakterisierung der Problematik der Wissensrepräsentation. Aus der Darstellung eines für das Gebiet der rechnergestützten Konstruktion typischen Diskursbereiches Getriebekonstruktion lassen sich Anforderungen an Modelle zur Beschreibung komplex strukturierter Objekte in Wissensbasen ableiten. Der Hauptteil der Arbeit besteht in der Entwicklung eines funktionalen Wissensrepräsentationsmodells, das diesen Anforderungen gerecht wird. Das Modell ermöglicht gleichzeitig eine effiziente Implementation wissensbasierter Systeme auf der Grundlage der Programmiersprache LISP sowie das Herstellen von Beziehungen zu Datenmodellen einerseits und Wissensrepräsentationsmodellen, insbesondere der Prädikatenlogik erster Ordnung, andererseits. Unter Bezugnahme auf die Datenbanktechnologie wird die Struktur von Wissensbanksystemen beschrieben. Ein wesentlicher Aspekt der Arbeit besteht im Aufzeigen der Möglichkeit und des Weges, das Wissen eines Konstrukteurs zu formalisieren und in eine Wissensbasis abzubilden.:1. Einleitung 2. Wissensrepräsentation in technischen Systemen 3. Beispielsdiskursbereiche 4. Funktionales Wissensrepräsentationsmodell 5. Beziehungen zwischen Prädikatenlogik erster Ordnung und funktionalem Wissensrepräsentationsmodell 6. Aufbau von Wissensbanksystemen 7. Anwendung des funktionalen Wissensrepräsentationsmodells für die Implementation wissensbasierter Systeme 8. Schlussbemerkungen