Software processes relate to the sequence of steps that must be carried out by humans to pursue the goals of software engineering. In order to have an accurate representation of what these steps actually are, software processes can be modelled using a process modeling language (PML). Some PMLs simply support the specification of the steps, while others enable the process to be executed (or enacted). When enacted, software processes can provide guidance, automation and enforcement of the software engineering practices that are embodied in the model. Although there has been much fruitful research into PMLs, their adoption by industry has not been widespread. While the reasons for this lack of success may be many and varied, this thesis identified two areas in which PMLs may have been deficient: human dimension issues in terms of support for awareness and visualisation; and support for addressing management and resource issues that might arise dynamically when a process model is being enacted. In order to address some of these issues, a new visual PML called Virtual Reality Process Modelling Language (VRPML) has been developed and evaluated. Novel features have been introduced in VRPML to include support for the integration of a virtual environment, and dynamic creation and assignment of tasks and resources at the PML enactment level. VRPML serves as a research vehicle for addressing our main research hypothesis that a PML, which exploits a virtual environment, is useful to support software processes for distributed software engineering teams.

No description available.

No description available.

A discrete event simulation was applied to model the perioperative process in the general surgery service at Toronto General Hospital, aiming at reducing the number of surgical cancellations and improving the perioperative process. This model includes emergency case interruptions with two types of emergency cases with different levels of urgency, and takes into account the availability of three types of post-surgical beds: medical surgical intensive care unit, step-down unit and ward beds in decision making level. The effect of three types of scenarios on the number of surgical cancellations was explored: 1) applying effective scheduling rules based on the utilization of post-surgical beds, 2) sequencing the surgical operations based on the length of surgeries and the variance of surgery durations, 3) increasing the number of post-surgical beds.

Transitioning to the Agile style of software development has become an increasing phenomenon among software companies. The commonly perceived advantages of Agile, such as shortened time to market, improved efficiency, and reduced development waste are among key driving motivations of organizations to Agile. Each year a considerable number of empirical studies are being published, reporting on successful or unfavorable outcomes of enacting Agile in various organizations. Reusing this body of knowledge, and turning it into a concise and reachable source of information on Agile practices, can help many software organizations which are at the edge of transition to Agile, dealing with the uncertainties of such a decision. One of the early steps of transitioning to Agile (or any other process model) is to confirm the adaptability of new process with the current organization. Various Agile adoption frameworks have proposed different checklists to test the readiness of an organization for becoming Agile, or to identify the required adaptation criteria. Transitioning to Agile, as a significant organizational initiative, is a strategic decision, which should be made with respect to key objectives of the target organization. Having a reliable anticipation of how a new process model will impact the strategic objectives helps organizational managers to choose a process model, which brings optimum advantage to the organization. This thesis introduces a framework for evaluating new Agile practices (compartments of Agile methods) prior to their adoption in an organization. The framework has two distinguishing characteristics: first, it acts strategically, as it puts the strategic model of organization at the center of many decision makings that should be performed during Agile adoption; and second, it is based on a repository of Agile practices that allows the framework to benefit from the empirical knowledge of Agile methods, in order to improve the reliability of its outcomes. This repository has been populated through an extensive literature review of empirical studies on Agile methods. The framework was put in practice in an industrial case, at one of the R&D units of Ericsson Company in Italy. The target R&D unit was proposed with a number of Agile practices. The application of framework helped R&D unit managers to strategically decide on the new process proposal, by having a better understanding of its strategic shortcomings and strengths. A key portion of framework’s analysis results were evaluated one year after the R&D unit made the transition to Agile, showing that over 75% of pre-adoption analysis results came to reality after the enactment of new process into the organization.

A discrete event simulation was applied to model the perioperative process in the general surgery service at Toronto General Hospital, aiming at reducing the number of surgical cancellations and improving the perioperative process. This model includes emergency case interruptions with two types of emergency cases with different levels of urgency, and takes into account the availability of three types of post-surgical beds: medical surgical intensive care unit, step-down unit and ward beds in decision making level. The effect of three types of scenarios on the number of surgical cancellations was explored: 1) applying effective scheduling rules based on the utilization of post-surgical beds, 2) sequencing the surgical operations based on the length of surgeries and the variance of surgery durations, 3) increasing the number of post-surgical beds.

No description available.

In the extrusion blow molding process the shape and thickness distribution of the finished container depend on the dimensions of the parison at the time of inflation. In particular, the processes of swell and sag act to cause a variation of parison dimensions between the time the melt emerges from the die and the moment of inflation. / In the present study the effects of die geometry, extrusion velocity and the rheological properties of the resin on parison behavior were studied. Four annular dies (a straight, a diverging and two converging dies) and three high density polyethylene resins were used. To study the individual contributions of swell and sag to the overall parison behavior, two types of experiments were carried out. First, swell was studied in the absence of sag by extruding the parison into an isothermal oil bath. Both diameter and thickness swells were measured as functions of time. Then combined effect of swell and sag was studied by extruding the parison into an isothermal air oven. / A simple lumped parameter model was developed to predict the length of the parison using the swell data, storage modulus and process variables.

<p>This study focuses on the future role and nature of an e-voting system for a future electoral system in South Africa. The study is of the view that rapid technological advancement and opportunities may contribute to efficient and effective e-voting systems. The study will investigate the international experience where initiatives have been undertaken, particularly in countries like the USA, the Netherlands, India, and Nigeria. Lessons born out of experience have been identified to highlight best practice and potential problems to be avoided in our future elections. As an outcome, the study indirectly seeks ways to increase turnout, particularly amongst the youth, increase voting access (everywhere and anytime), cost effectiveness and availability of quick national election results.</p> <p><br /> The primary objective of this study has been to develop future options for the planning and design of an e-voting for South Africa. From the outset of this research, the critical issue was not only about e-voting, but rather the planning and designing of an e-voting system. Suffice it to say that the central issue about e-voting was not whether electronic voting should be developed but how and in what ways it should be designed and planned for successful implementation. Interestingly enough, this question has been bothering the IEC as well, particularly pertaining to planning (see 1.5.3). In a nutshell, it is against this background that experts on elections were interviewed. The research investigation found that many problems still existed in South African elections. This research found that both participation and communication are the main pillars in any policy or project.</p> <p><br /> The study revealed that e-voting would appeal to younger voters and will subsequently boost turnout in SA. In a nutshell, this study found that members of the public and election experts were in favor of telephone voting and SMS, Internet voting, and EVMs. However, it was noted that rural communities would benefit in the long run from e-voting because they are still faced with an infrastructure backlog. Proper planning supported by sound planning principles need to be done to ensure that a e-voting in SA will be made successful and specific recommendations were made in this regard.</p>

Thesis (MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 2000