Agile Software Development has gained popularity with their people centric view and their common practices for developing software in today&rsquo / s volatile business world where change on requirements is unavoidable. However / the efficiency of the project depends on the communication and the collaboration of the team, which are supported by the co-location of the team. But in some cases colocation of the team cannot be realized, thus agile processes should also support distributed teams. This point was observed by Kircher, Jain, Corsaro, and Levine [31] and they suggested Distributed eXtreme Programming (DXP) after they prepared a study using offthe- shelf software products in order to replace the effect of face-toface communication on the efficiency of the application of agile processes with the aid gathered from tool support. In this study some available tool support for distributed agile software development is investigated and a tool is developed and presented in order to support software configuration management as well as increasing collaboration and communication of the team. The tool is then evaluated from a user&rsquo / s perspective and it is compared with some available software configuration management tools.

This study aims to explore the decision-making criteria for requirements selection in market-driven software development projects in China. Requirements selection decisions are made by reconciling the conflicting stakeholders??? value propositions into a mutually-agreed set through the negotiation and communication process between stakeholders. Firstly, this study identified decision-making criteria according to different stakeholders??? value propositions, and then evaluated the importance of the criteria when making the decisions of requirements selection. Moreover, the study determined the degree to which the stakeholders from business, product, and project perspectives influence the decision-making process. Furthermore, the study explored the communication between major stakeholders in requirements selection process, as a foundation to support and guide the process. A Delphi survey was applied in this study. Opinions from experienced industrial experts were obtained to achieve reliable consensus among them on the criteria and relative importance of the criteria in requirements selection process. The Delphi survey in this study included four phases of data collection by a series of intensive questionnaires interspersed with controlled opinion feedback and follow-up interviews. 132 Experts from 11 companies were recruited by following the rigid procedure to ensure the validity and reliability of the research. The study indicated that criteria from the business perspective had a major influence on decision-making of requirements selection, while project- and product-perspective criteria were relatively lower in priority. However, there were some inconsistencies among the opinions of the recruited experts regarding the importance of the criteria. The inconsistencies may result from a number of different factors, for example; different software development projects; different size, culture, organizational structure or maturity level of the companies; or different working positions of the experts surveyed. In addition, the study found three different types of communication in requirements selection in the companies surveyed. Further, Chinese culture was believed to have effects on the communication process between stakeholders. While informal communication was highlighted in Chinese context, the Chinese culture of strictly hierarchical communication could lead to problems in the communication process. Further research is recommended to gain deeper insight into these issues.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main on-board computer in a satellite is responsible for ensuring the correct operation of the entire system. It performs this task using flight software. In order to reduce future development costs, it is desirable to develop generic software that can be re-used on subsequent missions. This thesis details the design and implementation of a generic flight software application for CubeSats. A generic, modular framework is used in order to increase the re-usability of the flight software architecture. In order to simplify the management of the various on-board processes, the software is built upon the FreeRTOS real-time operating system. The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems’ telemetry and telecommand packet definitions are used to interface with ground stations. In addition, a number of services defined in the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation’s Packet Utilisation Standard are used to perform the functions required from the flight software. The final application contains all the command and data handling functionality required in a standard CubeSat mission. Mechanisms for the collection, storage and transmission of housekeeping data are included as well as the implementation of basic fault tolerance techniques. Through testing it is shown that the FreeRTOS scheduler can be used to ensure the software meets hard-real time requirements. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoof aanboordrekenaar in ’n satelliet verseker die korrekte werking van die hele stelsel. Die rekenaar voer hierdie taak uit deur van vlugsagteware gebruik te maak. Om toekomstige ontwikkelingskostes te verminder, is dit noodsaaklik om generiese sagteware te ontwikkel wat hergebruik kan word op daaropvolgende missies. Hierdie tesis handel oor die besonderhede van die ontwerp en implementering van generiese vlugsagteware vir ’n CubeSat. ’n Generiese, modulêre raamwerk word gebruik om die hergebruik van die sagteware te verbeter. Ten einde die beheer van die verskillende aanboordprosesse te vereenvoudig, word die sagteware gebou op die FreeRTOS reëletyd bedryfstelsel. Die telemetrie- en telebevelpakket definisies van die “Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems” word gebruik om met grondstasies te kommunikeer. Daarby is ’n aantal dienste omskryf in die “Packet Utilisation Standard” van die “European Cooperation for Space Standardisation” gebruik om die vereiste funksies van die vlugsagteware uit te voer. Die finale sagteware bevat al die bevel en data-hantering funksies soos wat vereis word van ’n standaard CubeSat missie. Meganismes vir die versameling, bewaring en oordrag van huishoudelike data is ingesluit sowel as die implementering van basiese fouttolerante tegnieke. Toetse het gewys dat die FreeRTOS skeduleerder gebruik kan word om te verseker dat die sagteware aan harde reëletyd vereistes voldoen.

Thesis (MPhil (Informations Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This research utilises theories of organisational knowledge creation from the field of knowledge management to analyse the manner in which the industrialisation of the software development industry is likely to occur. The aim of the research is to prove the following hypothesis: If the software development industry moves towards industrialisation, then knowledge assets in the format of universal production templates will come into being. The research commences by providing background information on the state of practise of software engineering by giving an overview of the changes in the industry over the past four decades. The software development industry is consequently presented from the viewpoint of the proponents of a craftsmanship based approach to software development, and from the viewpoint of those proposing that industrialisation will offer a solution to the problems besetting the industry. In this discussion the terms industrialisation as well as economies of scale and scope are defined. Potential paths and drivers that will allow the industrialisation of the industry are presented – software factories as a path towards industrialisation, and cloud computing as a driver for industrialisation. In order to supply a knowledge management perspective, the theories of Ikujiro Nonaka and Max Boisot are presented. These theories assume different perspectives on the creation of organisational knowledge, but an attempt is made to reconcile the differences between the two theories. Particular attention is paid to the economic meaning and implications of knowledge, information and data as factors of production. The concept of knowledge assets are examined in detail, and placed into the context of software development. In the last chapter the research and conclusions of the previous chapters are consolidated, to prove the central hypothesis of this work.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an effort to streamline operations and focus on what they regard as core activities, a growing number of organizations from both developed and developing countries are increasingly looking to outsource their software development and maintenance activities to lower cost countries such as India and China, this is evidenced by the phenomenal growth in India’s software industry and the number of major overseas IT companies establishing subsidiaries and relocating their Research and Development operations to India’s high-tech cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. With the mere size of their populations standing at over a billion people each, supported by their governments, Indian and Chinese business have been able to leverage this population advantage producing a large pool of software engineers, technical specialists and back office workers to cater for the talent demands of the world. While the actual software development process might be non-core to many organizations, it however yields software applications that drive critical business processes and embed valuable organizational knowledge. The handing over of software development operations by an organization to a third party poses a risk of creating a dependency and exposing vital business knowledge to competition thereby compromising its competitive edge. Both the people that participate in software development projects and the software products these people develop possess knowledge which need to be secured and leveraged to enable the continued success of an organization. Securing these knowledge artefacts and the knowledge created by the software development lifecycle process cannot be left to chance, therefore the success of an organization’s software development activities needs to be measured largely on its ability to secure knowledge assets that derive from such process and the leveraging of such knowledge to drive organizational strategy and yield new knowledge. This thesis is premised on the fact that knowledge is the one competitive advantage that separates successful nations from failed states and one dominant force that prevails across all successful economies in the 21st century, hence the notion of a knowledge economy. The study seeks to understand the importance of the role played by knowledge in an outsourced software development engagement and how knowledge management affects the success of this engagement. By exploring the business drivers that spur organizations to outsource their IT activities, the software development lifecycle, the different outsource models available to organizations and the inherent risks surrounding knowledge loss, the thesis seeks to gain an understanding and the criticality of managing knowledge within an outsourced software development context and the strategies that organizations can utilize to deliver on outsourcing promises with minimal risk. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten einde hulle werksaamhede meer vaartbelyn te maak en om ingestel te bly op dit wat hulle as kernbedrywighede beskou, kyk al hoe meer organisasies in ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande na die moontlikheid om die ontwikkeling en instandhouding van hulle sagteware uit te kontrakteer na lande soos Indië en China, waar dit goedkoper gedoen kan word as tuis. Dié feit blyk duidelik uit die fenomenale groei in veral Indië se sagtewarenywerheid en die getal groot oorsese IT firmas wat hulle navorsing en ontwikkeling in hoë-tegnologie stede soos Hyderabad, Chennai en Puna laat doen. Met bevolkings van meer as ’n miljard elk, kon Chinese en Indiese ondernemings hierdie voorsprong benut om ‘n magdom sagteware-ingenieurs, tegniese spesialiste en kantoorwerkers te produseer om in die wêreld se vraag na kundigheid te voorsien. Terwyl die ontwikkeling van sagteware miskien nie deur baie ondernemings as ‘n kernbedrywigheid beskou word nie, lewer dit tog aanwendings op wat kritieke sakeaktiwiteite aandryf en waardevolle organisatoriese kennis vasvang. Die oordra van sagteware-ontwikkeling van een onderneming na ‘n derde party gaan egter gepaard met die risiko dat dit afhanklikheid kan skep en ook uiters belangrike sakekennis aan konkurrente toeganklik maak, wat die mededingende voorsprong wat sulke kennis bied bedreig. Die mense betrokke by die ontwikkeling van sagteware en die produkte wat hulle sodoende skep, is ‘n bron van kennis wat beveilig en verveelvuldig moet word om ‘n onderneming in staat te stel om suksesvol te bly voortbestaan. Die versekering van hierdie verworwe kennis en die kundigheid wat deur die ontwikkelingsiklus van die sagteware geskep word, kan nie aan die toeval oorgelaat word nie – die sukses van ‘n onderneming se sagteware-ontwikkeling moet veral gemeet word aan sy vermoë om die kennisbates wat uit die proses voortvloei te verseker, en om hierdie kennis te verveelvuldig om organisatoriese strategieë aan te dryf en nuwe kennis op te lewer. Hierdie tesis se uitgangspunt is dat kennis die mededingende voorsprong is wat suksesvolle nasies onderskei van die res; dit is dié faktor wat kenmerkend is van al die suksesvolle ekonomieë van die 20ste eeu, en die kern van die begrip van ‘n “kennis-ekonomie”. Hierdie ondersoek wil die belangrikheid verken van die rol wat gespeel word deur kennis in ‘n uitgekontrakteerde verbintenis vir die ontwikkeling van sagteware and hoe kennisbestuur die sukses van so ‘n verbintenis affekteer. Deur ondersoek in te stel na die motivering wat besighede aanspoor om hulle IT bedrywighede uit te plaas, na die sagteware-ontwikkeling lewenssiklus, die verskillende modelle van uitkontraktering wat vir organisasies beskikbaar is en die inherente risiko’s rondom kennisverlies, wil hierdie tesis ‘n begrip vorm van die kritieke noodsaaklikheid vir die bestuur van kennis in ‘n uitgekontrakteerde sagteware-ontwikkeling en van die strategieë wat organisasies kan aanwend om die voordele wat uitkontraktering beloof ten volle te benut teen minimale risiko.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The environment in which all organisations currently operate is undoubtably dynamic. Regardless of the nature, size or geographical location of business, companies are being forced to cope with a rapidly changing world and increasing levels of unpredictability. This thesis tracks the history of software development methodologies leading up to agile development (chapter 2). Agile development has appeared in response to the limitations of traditional development approaches and evolved to address the particular demands of a changing world (chapter 3). The theory of sensemaking is used to gain insight into the functioning of agile development. Sensemaking is introduced and a working definition of this concept is formulated (chapter 4). This research does not argue that agile development is the same as sensemaking, but rather that it can be better understood through sensemaking. Agile development can be seen as a type of sensemaking, but sensemaking is also a generic, universal cognitive ability. The structure and design of agile development is well aligned with sensemaking, and one can understand its nature and the type of management needed to support agile development better from this perspective. In fact, agile development directly supports and facilitates several important elements of the sensemaking process. For successful sensemaking to occur, certain organisational conditions need to be present. The term "managed sensemaking" is introduced to expand this notion. After performing an analysis of agile development (chapter 5), certain pertinent implications and challenges facing organisations are considered (chapter 6). By framing these implications in terms of sensemaking, practical management suggestions can be provided based on a good fit between the problem that agile development is meant to solve and the cognitive requirements of the process leading to a solution. The research conducted in this process opens the door to further research opportunities (chapter 7) and allows for the application of sensemaking in the context of software development methodologies. This study provides insight into the prevalence and functioning of agile methodologies, in software engineering contexts, by leveraging the theory of sensemaking to provide an explanation for the underlying worldview and processes constituting this approach. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die omgewing waarin alle organisasies tans funksioneer in ongetwyfeld dinamies. Maatskappye word genoop om die uitdagings van 'n vinnig-veranderende wêreld die hoof te bied, ongeag die aard, grootte of geografiese ligging van die besigheid. Hierdie tesis volg die geskiedenis van sagteware-ontwikkelingsmetodologiee tot by agile development (hoofstuk 2). Agile development het verskyn as 'n reaksie op die beperkings van tradisionele ontwikkelingsbenaderings en evolueer om aan te pas by huidige uitdagings (hoofstuk 3). Die teorie van sensemaking word gebruik om insig te verkry in die funksionering van agile development. Sensemaking word ingelei en 'n werksdefinisie word geformuleer (hoofstuk 4). Hierdie navorsing argumenteer nie dat agile development dieselfde is as sensemaking nie, maar eerder dat dit beter verstaan kan word deur sensemaking. Agile development kan wel gesien word as 'n tipe sensemaking, maar sensemaking is ook 'n generiese, universele kognitiewe vermoe. Die struktuur en ontwerp van agile development is goed belyn met sensemaking, en 'n mens kan die aard daarvan en tipe bestuur benodig om agile develop- ment te ondersteun beter verstaan vanuit hierdie perspektief. Tewens, agile development ondersteun en fasiliteer verskeie belangrike elemente van die sensemaking proses direk. Vir suksesvolle sensemaking om plaas te vind, word sekere organisatoriese toestande benodig. Die term "managed sensemaking" word ingelei om hierdie idee uit te brei. Na 'n analise van agile development (hoofstuk 5) word sekere dwingende implikasies en uitdagings, wat organisasies in die gesig staar, oorweeg (hoofstuk 6). Deur hierdie implikasies te plaas in sensemaking-terme kan praktiese bestuursvoorstelle aangebied word, gegrond op 'n goeie passing tussen die probleem wat agile development probeer aanspreek en die kognitiewe vereistes van die proses wat lei na 'n oplossing. Die navorsing wat onderneem is in hierdie proses ontsluit moontlikhede vir verdere studies (hoofstuk 7) en skep die moontlikheid vir die toepassing van sensemaking in die konteks van sagtewareontwikkelingsmetodologiee. Hierdie studie bied insig in die voorkoms en funksionering van agile methodologies in sagteware-ingenieurwese omgewings deur die teorie van sensemaking te hefboom om 'n verduideliking vir die onderliggende wereldbeeld en prosesse aan te bied.

O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar dois paradigmas distintos de desenvolvimento de software, o emergente Paradigma Orientado a Notificações (PON) e o Paradigma Orientado a Eventos (POE). Objetivos, métodos e ferramentas são apresentados, e são descritos dois casos de estudo (o primeiro em três cenários), respectivas reflexões, experimentos e dados. A comparação é teórico-prática, correlacionando características estruturantes em PON e POE conforme uma taxonomia comum, os mensurando em complexidade de código-fonte (números de linhas de código, escopos e tokens) e os comparando em medições durante execução (tempo de reposta e tempo total de execução), por meio da construção e experimentação dos casos de estudo em ambos os paradigmas. Como resultados, identifica-se que PON, apesar de ter inspiração em eventos, utilizando notificações em seu ciclo de execução, apresenta diferenças conceituais em relação a POE. Além disso, no atual estado da técnica, utilizando o Framework PON, apresenta tempo de resposta durante execução comparável ao POE, enfatizando desempenho que se adapta ao contexto do software (tempos de resposta menores quando os eventos devem ser desprezados e tempos de resposta maiores quando da execução de mais uma ação por evento). Já quando se utiliza uma linguagem e compilador específico para PON (LingPON e respectivo código compilado) os tempos de resposta foram lineares e comparáveis ao POE. / The objective of this work was comparing two distinct software development paradigms, namely, the emerging Notification Oriented Paradigm (NOP) and Event-driven Paradigm (EDP). Objectives, methods and tools are presented and two case studies are described (the first with three scenarios) and their respective reflexions, experiments and data. The comparison is theoretical and practical, correlating structural characteristics in NOP and EDP in a common taxonomy, therefore comparing them in code complexity (number of lines of code, closures and tokens) and comparing them with respect to performance (response time and total execution time), by building and instrumenting the case studies in both paradigms. As results, was identified that NOP, despite being inspired by events, using notifications on its execution model, shows conceptual differences from EDP. Moreover, in the present state of technology, NOP has response time during execution comparable to EDP implementation, and NOP has performance that adapts to software context (faster response times when events should be ignored and higher response times when executing more actions per event. With specific NOP language and compiler (LangNOP) data shows linear response times comparable to the EDP.

Esta tese aborda o problema de prover a independência de plataforma em transformações de modelos no contexto da MDA (Model Driven Architecture). A MDA é uma abordagem de desenvolvimento de software baseada na criação e na transformação de modelos. Assim, em MDA os modelos são os principais artefatos ao longo do ciclo de vida de desenvolvimento de software e as transformações desempenham um papel fundamental. No entanto, a maioria das iniciativas MDA são dedicadas, isto é, as características da plataforma são implicitamente especificadas nas regras de transformação. À medida que os aspectos ligados à plataforma não são separados das regras de transformação, para cada plataforma selecionada deve haver uma transformação de modelos correspondente. Por um lado, isto facilita o desenvolvimento de transformações de modelo. Por outro lado, a transformação torna-se limitada a uma plataforma específica, uma vez que os recursos da plataforma estão fortemente associados com as regras de transformação. Um dos desafios consiste em criar regras de transformação independentes das características da plataforma de implementação de sistemas de software. Esta tese propõe um método para a criação de transformações de modelo chamado PI-MT (Platform Independent - Model Transformations). O PI-MT é voltado ao desenvolvimento de software embarcado baseado em Sistemas Operacionais em Tempo-Real (RTOS - Real-Time Operating System). Além disso, o método permite a adaptação de transformações de modelos para diferentes plataformas baseadas em RTOS, por meio de modelos de plataforma explicitamente definidos. Como resultado, o método de PI-MT oferece independência entre as regras de transformação e as características da plataforma. / This thesis deals with the platform-independence matter in the Model Driven Architecture (MDA) context. MDA is an approach to software development based on the design and transformation of models. In the MDA approach models are the core artifacts throughout the entire software development lifecycle, and thus a key role is played by model transformations. Nevertheless, most MDA initiatives are dedicated, i.e., the platform features are implicitly employed in the transformation rules. As the aspects associated with the platform are not separated from the transformation rules, for each selected platform there must be a corresponding model transformation. On the one hand, this makes the model transformation development easier. On the other hand, model transformation becomes limited to a specific platform, once the platform features are strongly associated with the transformation rules. An open challenge consists of how to create transformation rules independently of the deployment platform features of software systems. This thesis proposes a method for creating model transformations, called PI-MT (Platform Independent - Model Transformations). The PI-MT is particularly applied to embedded software development based on Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS). In addition, it allows the adaptation of the model transformation process to different RTOS-based platforms by means of Platform Models explicitly defined. As a result, the PI-MT method provides independence between the model transformation rules and the platform features.

Este trabalho consiste na investigação, síntese e validação prática de um sistema de controle robusto baseado na minimização das normas H2 e H∞, por meio da utilização de desigualdades matriciais lineares, para a estabilização de um processo multivariável. Propõe-se a utilização de um sistema não-linear com duas entradas e duas saídas, que consistem no controle de variáveis de temperatura e nível de fluido em um reservatório. Serão apresentados os principais aspectos estruturais e tecnológicos do sistema a ser utilizado, assim como os fundamentos de estratégias de controle robusto moderno. As estruturas de controle serão implementadas por meio de controlador programável para automação CompactRIO, em conjunto com o software de desenvolvimento LabVIEW. / This work consists of the investigation, synthesis and practical validation of a robust control system based on minimization of H2 and H∞ norms, using linear matrix inequalities, for stabilization of a multivariable process. A study case on a nonlinear system with two imputs and two outputs is proposed, which consists of the control of temperature variables and fluid level in a reservoir. The main structural and system technology to be used and the fundamentals of modern control strategies will be presented. Control structures will be implemented by the programmable automation controller CompactRIO, together with LabVIEW software development.

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'étude des parois de domaines dans des nanofils magnétiques. Nous avons étendu le diagramme de phase des parois de domainesdéjà connu pour des géométries allant des nanobandes aux nanofils. Les différents types de parois et des transitions de phases sont présentés.Nous avons introduit de nouveaux estimateurs s'appuyant sur des grandeurs physiques connues, pour mieux caractériser les configurations magnétiques des parois et prédire leur type en fonction de la géométrie.Pour valider notre approche théorique, nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à les observer par microscopie.Nous avons choisi le Dichroisme Circulaire Magnétique des rayons X associé à la Microscopie par Emission de PhotoElectrons (XMCD-PEEM). Ce type de microscopie permet d'atteindre une résolution spatiale suffisante pour observer les parois de domaine. Les configurations expérimentales (échantillons et dispositif expérimental) permettent d'avoir accès à la fois à l'aimantation de surface maisaussi à l'ombre du fil projetée sur le substrat. Cette ombre contient l'information sur l'aimantation dans le volume, moyennée le long du chemin desrayons X dans le matériau. Cette configuration donne lieu à des contrastes magnétiques complexes. Nous avons donc développé un modèle permettant de simuler le contraste XMCD à partir de configurations micromagnétiques à l'équilibre. La comparaison entre les contrastes expérimentaux et les contrastes simulés donne lieu à un très bon accord quantitatif.De plus, les paramètres expérimentaux ont été étudiés afin d'obtenir le meilleur contraste réflétant au mieux la configuration micromagnétique de l'échantillon.La suite de ce travail consistera, notamment, à étudier la propagation de la paroi point de Bloch dans les nanofils. / The work performed during my thesis was based on magnetic domain walls in magnetic nanowires. We extended the phase diagram of domain walls already known to a geometry ranging from nanostrips to nanowires. The various types of domain wall and transition phase types are presented. We introduced new estimators based on physical known features, in order to better characterize domain walls magnetic configurations of domain walls and then to predict the type of domain wall according to the geometry.To validate our theoretical approach, we were interested in imaging these domain walls. We chose the X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism along with the PhotoEmission Electron Microscopy (XMCD PEEM). This microscopy method enables to reach spatial resolution required to observed domain wall configuration. The experimental conditions (sample and set up) enable to have access both the surface magnetization and also the shadow of the wire projected on to the substrate. This enable caries information about volume magnetization, averaged along the path of the X-ray through the wire. This experimental configuration gives rise to complex contrasts. Thus, we developped a model that enables to simulate the XMCD contrast from steady state micromagnetic configurations. Comparison between experimental and simulated contrasts gives rise to a good quantitative agreement. Moreover, experimental parameters were studied in order to get the best magnetic contrast, reflecting the true magnetic configuration of the sample.For the future, the work consists in the study of the domain wall propagation in nanowires, particularly the propagation of the Bloch point wall.