Au sein d’un établissement hospitalier, le bloc opératoire représente un des secteurs les plus emblématiques et les plus coûteux. Le fonctionnement du bloc opératoire est orchestré par un programme opératoire qui consiste à construire un planning prévisionnel des interventions chirurgicales à réaliser pendant un horizon donné. La littérature abondante sur le sujet est unanime sur le fait que la construction du programme opératoire est une tâche complexe, car il s’agit non seulement de planifier et d’ordonnancer les interventions, mais aussi de satisfaire des exigences souvent antagonistes. Ce projet est le fruit d’une collaboration entre la Communauté d’Agglomération de Sarreguemines Confluences et la Région Lorraine, des membres du secteur hospitalier (Hôpital Robert Pax de Sarreguemines) et l’équipe Gestion Industrielle et Logistique (GIL) du Laboratoire de Génie Industriel, de Production et de Maintenance (LGIPM). L’objectif de cette recherche est d’apporter une aide aux gestionnaires du bloc opératoire, qui ont besoin de plus en plus des méthodes et des outils d’aide à la décision en vue d’optimiser leur fonctionnement. Pour répondre à ce besoin nous nous intéressons dans la première partie de cette thèse à la gestion des opérations électives en prenant en compte différentes contraintes et en particulier la disponibilité des chirurgiens. Nous nous plaçons dans le contexte d’une stratégie « open scheduling » et nous proposons deux modèles mathématiques permettant d’élaborer le programme opératoire. La complexité des modèles mathématiques et leur explosion combinatoire rendent difficile la recherche de l’optimum pour des tailles réalistes. Ceci nous a donc amené à proposer une heuristique constructive utilisant le modèle proposé et permettant d’obtenir des solutions là où la méthode exacte ne nous le permettait pas. Dans la seconde partie de cette thèse, nous considérons l’intégralité du processus opératoire (brancardage vers le bloc opératoire, préparation et anesthésie, acte chirurgicale et réveil). Nous modélisons ce processus comme un flow shop hybride à 4 étages avec contrainte de blocage de type RSb, et nous le résolvons à l’aide d’un algorithme génétique dont l’objectif est de synchroniser toutes les ressources nécessaires, en respectant au mieux le programme opératoire prévisionnel. Outre les opérations électives, nous nous intéressons dans la dernière partie aux opérations urgentes. Nous proposons un outil d’aide à la décision pour la gestion des opérations urgentes. En prenant en considération la pathologie et la gravité de l’état du patient, nous distinguons principalement 3 degrés d’urgences et proposons pour chacune un algorithme permettant d’intégrer en temps réel ces opérations dans le programme prévisionnel, tout en minimisant différents critères (temps d’attente avant affectation, heures supplémentaires, décalage par rapport aux anciennes dates de débuts) / The operating theater is one of the most critical and expensive hospital resources. Indeed, a high percentage of hospital admissions are due to surgical interventions. Rising expenditures spur health care organizations to organize their processes more efficiently and effectively. This thesis is supported by the urban community of Sarreguemines-France and the region of Lorraine-France, and is carried out in collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier de Sarreguemines - Hôpital Robert Pax. In the first part of this work, we propose two mathematical programming models to help operating theater managers in developing an optimal operating rooms scheduling. We also propose a constructive heuristic to obtain near optimal results for realistic sizes of the problem. In the second part of our work, the whole scheduling process is modeled as a hybrid four-stage flow shop problem with RSb blocking constraint, and is solved by a genetic algorithm. The objective is to synchronize all the needed resources around the optimal daily schedule obtained with the proposed mathematical model. The last part of our work is dedicated to non-elective surgeries. We propose a decision support tool, guiding the operating room manager, to handle this unpredictable flow of patients. Non-elective patients are classified according to their medical priority. The main contribution of the proposed decision support tool is to provide online assignment strategies to treat each non elective patient category. Proposed assignments are riskless on patient’s health. According to non-elective surgery classes, the proposed adjusted schedule minimizes different criteria such as patient’s waiting time, deviation from the firstly scheduled starting time of a surgery and the amount of resulting overtime

Dans le domaine de la conception d’Interfaces Homme-Système (IHS), un des concepts clés est celui de la Conception Centrée Utilisateurs (CCU), qui place les utilisateurs au centre de la démarche. Bien que cette démarche constitue une avancée considérable pour proposer des solutions qui répondent aux besoins et aux attentes des utilisateurs finaux, elle n’est pas totalement adaptée lorsque ces derniers présentent des déficiences multiples. Egalement, malgré les bénéfices de la CCU, il est constaté que les concepteurs demeurent peu nombreux à appliquer cette démarche, l’utilisation d’approches plus classiques restant encore dominante. Les concepteurs sont peu sensibilisés à la prise en compte des utilisateurs finaux, encore moins lorsque ceux-ci présentent des déficiences.Face à ces constats, notre travail s’est articulé selon deux axes réalisés en parallèle. Nous avons élaboré et formalisé une méthode de conception systémique d’IHS : AMICAS (Approche Méthodologique Innovante de Conception Adaptée Systémique), afin de permettre la conception d’outils et services adaptés aux utilisateurs finaux, quelles que soient leurs spécificités. Cette méthode a été testée auprès d’enfants en situation de multihandicap dans un contexte scolaire et de personnes âgées en institution. En parallèle, nous avons élaboré un système d’aide à la décision, à destination des concepteurs d’IHS, afin de les sensibiliser à la prise en compte des utilisateurs finaux et de leurs déficiences dans les démarches de conception. Au regard des résultats obtenus, nous proposons en synthèse une version améliorée de la méthode de conception AMICAS et une mise en ligne de notre système d’aide. / In the field of Human-System Interface (HSI) design, one key concept is the User-Centred Design (UCD), an approach that considers the user as the centre of the design process. Although this approach is a significant advance to provide solutions that meets the needs and expectations of end-users, it is not totally suitable for end-users with multiple disabilities. Moreover, despite the benefits of the UCD, only few designers apply this approach. The use of standard approaches remains dominant. There is a general lack of awareness among designers on how take account of end-users, even less when the end-users have multiples disabilities.In view of these observations, our work has been structured to two main axes, conducted in parallel. We have elaborated and formalized design method of HSI, named AMICAS (Innovative Methodological Approach of Adapted Systemic Design), in order to design tools or services adapted for users, whatever their disabilities are. This method has been tested to children with multiple disabilities in educational context and with elderly in care homes. Also, we have developed a decision support tool. The purpose of this tool is to help designers to take into account end-users and their disabilities into the design stage. Based on the results, we suggest in synthesizing an improved version of AMICAS and we have published the decision support tool online.

Résumé Cette étude quasi expérimentale consistait à élaborer et à mettre à l’essai une mesure de soutien à l’intention d’enseignants débutants ainsi qu’à évaluer l’efficacité de celle-ci. L’une des particularités de cette mesure, appelée Dispositif de soutien en gestion de classe, était qu’elle était centrée essentiellement sur le développement de la compétence à gérer la classe. L’application du dispositif, échelonnée sur une année scolaire, portait sur une trentaine d’enseignants débutants œuvrant au primaire, en milieu défavorisé, à Montréal. Basé sur les trois phases du modèle théorique d’Archambault et Chouinard (2003), le dispositif se déclinait selon trois cycles de formation : l’établissement du fonctionnement de la classe, le maintien de celui-ci et le soutien à la motivation scolaire, ainsi que l’intervention pour résoudre des problèmes de comportement. Chaque cycle commençait par une journée de formation et d’appropriation (JFA) durant laquelle il y avait présentation d’un contenu théorique puis des ateliers d’appropriation. Par la suite, les enseignants effectuaient des mises en pratique dans leur classe. Pour terminer le cycle, un autre type de rencontre, la rencontre de suivi (RS), servait entre autres à objectiver la pratique. L’aspect original de cette mesure de soutien était que la première rencontre de formation était offerte une semaine avant la rentrée scolaire. Sur le thème « Commencer l’année du bon pied en gestion de classe », cette journée avait pour objectif de soutenir les enseignants débutants dans l’installation du fonctionnement de leur classe. L’efficacité du dispositif a été évaluée sur la base de trois dimensions : l’établissement et le maintien de l’ordre et de la discipline, le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle ainsi que la motivation professionnelle. Les perceptions du groupe d’enseignants débutants ayant pris part aux activités du dispositif (n = 27) ont été comparées à celles d’un groupe témoin (n = 44). Les participants avaient, en moyenne, 2,9 années d’expérience et leur âge variait de 23 à 56 ans. Les données ont été recueillies à l’aide d’un questionnaire auto rapporté rempli en deux temps, soit au deuxième et au huitième mois de l’année scolaire. Les scores des enseignants débutants du dispositif ont augmenté dans le temps pour l’ensemble des variables à l’étude. De plus, les analyses de variance à mesures répétées ont révélé que le dispositif a eu une triple incidence positive, attestée par des effets d’interaction. Les enseignants débutants engagés dans la démarche ont connu une augmentation de leur capacité à implanter les règles de classe, de leur sentiment d’efficacité personnelle à gérer les situations d’apprentissage et de leur motivation professionnelle. En effet, alors que, au début de l’étude, ils rapportaient des scores significativement inférieurs à ceux du groupe témoin, à la fin, les scores étaient équivalents. Les résultats ont aussi montré que les participants du groupe expérimental se distinguaient en affichant un meilleur sentiment d’efficacité à faire apprendre leurs élèves. L’étude nous apprend également que le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle à faire face aux problèmes de comportement et la capacité à gérer les comportements se sont renforcés de façon significative dans le temps chez l’ensemble des enseignants débutants. Finalement, aucun changement significatif n’a été détecté pour deux des huit variables à l’étude : le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle à avoir un effet sur le comportement des élèves et l’application des règles de classe. En définitive, ces résultats sont encourageants. Ils montrent l’enrichissement professionnel que les enseignants débutants peuvent retirer lorsqu’ils sont soutenus adéquatement. Nous croyons que la journée de formation portant sur l’installation du fonctionnement de la classe, avant la rentrée scolaire, a joué un rôle central dans les succès vécus par les enseignants débutants participants. C’est pourquoi nous recommandons ce type de formation assorti d’un suivi à long terme, où d’autres composantes entrent en jeu, afin de nourrir le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle et la motivation professionnelle des nouveaux enseignants. / Abstract The purpose of this quasi experimental study was to develop, test and assess the effectiveness of a support measure for new entrant teachers. One of the characteristics of this measure called “Support tool for classroom management” was to focus on the development of classroom management skills. The study extended over one school year and involved about thirty new primary school teachers in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Montreal. Based on Archambault and Chouinard’s three-phase theoretical model (2003), the tool consisted of three training cycles: develop classroom dynamics, maintain and support academic focus, and act to solve behavior problems. Each cycle began with a training session during which theoretical content was presented, and then followed by hands-on sessions. Afterwards, teachers practiced implementation in their classroom. To complete the cycle, another type of meeting called the “follow-up” meeting was scheduled to, among other things, objectify the practice. The original aspect of this support measure was to provide the first training session one week before the start of the school year. The objective of this first session, themed “Getting off to a good start in classroom management”, was to support new entrant teachers in establishing classroom dynamics. To determine the tool’s effectiveness, we based our assessment on the following three dimensions: development and maintenance of order and discipline, self-efficacy and career motivation. The perceptions of a group of new entrant teachers who participated in tool-related activities (n = 27) were compared with the ones of teachers in a control group (n = 44). Globally, participants had on average 2.9 years of experience and were between 23 and 56 years of age. The data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire that was administered in two stages, in the second and eighth months of the school year. New entrant teachers reported improvements on all study variables. In addition, repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that the tool had had a triple positive impact, as was demonstrated by interaction effects. New entrant teachers who used the tool increased their ability to enforce classroom rules, their self-efficacy at managing learning situations, and their motivation on the job. While they reported significantly lower results at the beginning of the study, the results of the treatment and control groups had become equivalent at the end. The results also indicated that treatment group participants had gained confidence in their teaching skills. The study also revealed that the sense of personal effectiveness at managing behavior problems and the capacity to manage behaviors were significantly reinforced over time amongst all new entrant teachers. Finally, two out the eight study variables did not have a significant effect: sense of personal effectiveness at making an impact on student behavior, and classroom rules enforcement. Ultimately, these results are encouraging. They demonstrate that new entrant teachers can benefit from professional enrichment when they are adequately supported. We believe that the training session on classroom dynamics that took place a week before the start of the school year played a central role in the success of the new entrant teachers who participated in the study. Therefore, we recommend this type of training, along with long-term monitoring, to increase the self-efficacy of new entrant teachers, and, ultimately, to enhance their career motivation.

Smallholder farmers often have great entrepreneurial qualities that build on generations of experience. However, many farm management practices are poorly adapted to current climate change conditions. In order for farmers to understand the risks they are undertaking by following certain farming practices and to adapt accordingly, a decision support tool is being developed by researchers at TU Delft. The tool runs a socio-hydrological model, created in Python, in the back-end and provides farmer specific investment and profit data for different crops in the front-end. The aim of this study is to develop a risk assessment process that integrates hydro-climatic variability in the decision support tool, and to identify ways of communicating risk to smallholder farmers in Maharashtra, India. Two sources of variability were characterised based on a literature review of Indian farmers’ own risk perceptions; the untimely onset of the Indian Summer Monsoon and the frequency of dry spells. A sensitivity analysis was then carried out to investigate their respective effects on the farmers’ crop yields. The method proposed to evaluate these risks used a single variable, precipitation data, and a two-dimensional risk matrix to compound the two risk factors, over a time span of 14 years (2003-2016). However, the results indicate that it might be more beneficial to define dry spells in terms of crop water stress, instead of a precipitation threshold. This study also proposed a method for translating a cumulative distribution curve into a risk representation that is adapted for low-literacy users by combining numbers and text with graphics, color and voice descriptions. Ultimately, however, the usability of the tool cannot be determined solely through literature, but must involve the end-users in its design. / Småskaliga jordbrukare är goda entreprenörer som samlat på sig kunskaper och erfarenheter över flera generationer. Däremot är vissa metoder som jordbrukarna använder sig av idag för att förvalta sitt jordbruk inte anpassade till nutida klimatförändringar. För att jordbrukarna ska förstå riskerna som de åtar sig vid valet av dessa metoder försöker forskare vid TU Delft nu ta fram ett verktyg för att underlätta jordbrukares förmåga att ta självständiga men välgrundade beslut om sitt jordbruk. Verktyget är baserat på en socio-hydrologisk modell som är framtagen i Python och som förser specifika investerings- och inkomstdata för enskilda jordbrukare. Syftet med detta kandidatarbete är att bidra till verktyget genom att undersöka de hydroklimatiska risker som uppstår till följd av föränderliga och osäkra klimatologiska förhållanden för jordbrukare i delstaten Maharashtra, Indien. Två riskfaktorer karakteriserades baserat på en litteraturstudie om indiska jordbrukares riskuppfattningar: avvikelser i starten på den indiska sommarmonsunen och antal torrperioder under monsunsäsongen. Dessutom utfördes en känslighetsanalys för att undersöka om och hur den existerande modellens utdata av skörd påverkades av de valda riskfaktorerna. Monsunstarten och torrperioderna togs fram genom metoder som enbart använde historiska nederbördsdata över tidsperioden 2003-2016 och kombinerades sedan med hjälp av en tvådimensionell riskmatris. Resultaten visade att det fanns anledning att ifrågasätta hur torrperioderna definierades och att det kan vara mer fördelaktigt att undersöka vattenbrist för grödan, snarare än att enbart förlita sig på nederbördsdata. Vidare föreslog denna studie en metod för att översätta en kumulativ fördelningsfunktion till en grafisk riskframställning som är anpassad till användare med låg läskunnighet genom att kombinera siffror med text, grafik, färg och ljudförklaringar. I slutändan kan dock inte användbarheten av verktyget enbart avgöras utifrån litteratur, utan måste även inkludera återkoppling från slutanvändarna.

Web-based learning should move away from static transmission of instruction to dynamic pages for effective interactive learning. Furthermore, automated assessment of learning should move beyond rigid quizzes or multiple-choice questions. This study describes the design, development, implementation, testing and evaluation of two prototypes of an electronic assessment tool to enhance the effectiveness of automated assessment. The tool was developed in the context of a distance-learning organisation and was built according to a development research model entailing a cyclic design-intervention-outcomes process. The first variant, E-Grader, was developed to test an algorithm for assigning marks to open-ended textual responses. The second variant, Web-Grader, was an interactive web-based extension of E-Grader. It provided immediate interactive support to students as they responded textually to content-based questions. This multi-disciplinary study incorporates principles and techniques from software engineering, formal computer science, database development and instructional design in the quest towards electronic assessment of web-based textual inputs. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

本論文之研究目的為開發一線上合作式創造力學習系統。本文將描述一以遊戲為基礎之創造力思考輔助工具＂Idea Stroming Cube＂。它的目標在於讓學生養成創意思考與典範轉移能力的習慣。此系統會汲取學科專家的知識，使用者歷史記錄，和腦力激盪中的個人創意，提供使用者、目標及情境感知的學習支授。比較相關的教學系統，它更注重於刺激發散情思考之能力。此系統可分為兩種學習模式Base Mode和Agent-Assist Mode：一為提供學科知識學習之輔助，另一為提供學習發散性思考能力之輔助。 本文提出合作式創造力思考輔助之Human-Computer Interaction(HCI)的系統已初步實作完畢，本文並報告了兩個相關的實驗以測試系統效能。本研究的主要結果符合實驗假設，以遊戲情境為基礎之創造力支援系統相較於其他類似系統，更有助於學生學習創造力，另外，籍由適當且適時的智慧型思考輔助Agent，亦能提供學生不同面向的思考觀點，有助於學生用更多觀點學習知識。 / The objective of this research is to develop a Web-based collaborative tool for learning creativity. This research describes a game-based system, Idea Storming Cube, in support of creative thinking. It aims to make people form a creative and Perspective-Modifying thinking habit. Based on theories of this kind support system and prior studies, we propose to integrate exciting game environment and intelligent support mechanism into the creativity thinking support system. The system acquires knowledge from domain expert, user inputs history, and individuals of a brainstorming group, and then provides user-, goal- and context-sensitive supports. Compared to classic tutoring systems, it focuses more on stimulating divergent thinking. The system can be utilized with two distinct support strategies, Basic Mode and Agent-Assist Mode, in order to support different learning objectives. One focus on knowledge learning, the other highlights the divergent thinking ability. The proposed Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) tool for collaborative idea generation has been implemented, and two experiments for preliminary evaluation of the system are also reported in this thesis. The major results of this study show that the game-based brainstorming system with appropriate intelligent support outperforms the other types of systems because the game competition environment can make them concentrate on the brainstorming tasks and let them think more from different view points for learning the knowledge with the support of the peer-like agent.

Throughout many of the world’s mountain ranges snowpack accumulates during the winter and into the spring, providing a natural reservoir for water. As this reservoir melts, it fills streams and recharges groundwater for over 1 billion people globally. Despite its importance to water resources, our understanding of the storage capacity of mountain snowpack is incomplete. This partial knowledge limits our abilities to assess the impact that projected climate conditions will have on mountain snowpack and water resources. While understanding the effect of projected climate on mountain snowpack is a global question, it can be best understood at the basin scale. It is at this level that decision makers and water resource managers base their decisions and require a clarified understanding of basin's mountain snowpack. The McKenzie River Basin located in the central-western Cascades of Oregon exhibits characteristics typical of many mountain river systems globally and in the Pacific Northwestern United States. Here snowmelt provides critical water supply for hydropower, agriculture, ecosystems, recreation, and municipalities. While there is a surplus of water in winter, the summer months see flows reach a minimum and the same groups have to compete for a limited supply. Throughout the Pacific Northwestern United States, current analyses and those of projected future climate change impacts show rising temperatures, diminished snowpacks, and declining summertime streamflow. The impacts of climate change on water resources presents new challenges and requires fresh approaches to understanding problems that are only beginning to be recognized. Climate change also presents challenges to decision makers who need new kinds of climate and water information, and will need the scientific research community to help provide improved means of knowledge transfer. This dissertation quantified the basin-wide distribution of snowpack across multiple decades in present and in projected climate conditions, describing a 56% decrease in mountain snowpack with regional projected temperature increases. These results were used to develop a probabilistic understanding of snowpack in projected climates. This section described a significant shift in statistical relations of snowpack. One that would be statistically likely to accumulate every 3 out of 4 years would accumulate in 1 out of 20 years. Finally this research identifies methods to improved knowledge transfer from the research community to water resource professionals. Implementation of these recommendations would enable a more effective means of dissemination to stakeholders and policy makers. While this research focused only on the McKenzie River Basin, it has regional applications. Processes affecting snowpack in the McKenzie River Basin are similar to those in many other maritime, forested Pacific Northwest watersheds. The framework of this research could also be applied to regions outside of the Pacific Northwestern United States to gain a similar level of understanding of climate impacts on mountain snowpack. / Graduation date: 2012

Web-based learning should move away from static transmission of instruction to dynamic pages for effective interactive learning. Furthermore, automated assessment of learning should move beyond rigid quizzes or multiple-choice questions. This study describes the design, development, implementation, testing and evaluation of two prototypes of an electronic assessment tool to enhance the effectiveness of automated assessment. The tool was developed in the context of a distance-learning organisation and was built according to a development research model entailing a cyclic design-intervention-outcomes process. The first variant, E-Grader, was developed to test an algorithm for assigning marks to open-ended textual responses. The second variant, Web-Grader, was an interactive web-based extension of E-Grader. It provided immediate interactive support to students as they responded textually to content-based questions. This multi-disciplinary study incorporates principles and techniques from software engineering, formal computer science, database development and instructional design in the quest towards electronic assessment of web-based textual inputs. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

Southeast Asian countries and Vietnam in particular are facing water security challenges; water reclamation is increasingly being considered as a favorable solution. Despite the availability of suitable technologies, several constraints often prevent stakeholders and especially decision makers exploiting their potential. In this paper we present the results of applying a decision support tool (DST) to evaluate water reclamation, support pre-feasibility studies and build capacity for water reclamation in Vietnam. The DST and its data are open access, providing information related to local and international water and wastewater quality standards. In this research we identified high potential Vietnamese case studies and conducted a systematic PISTLE analysis considering six dimensions (Political, Institutional, Social, Technical, Legal and Economic) at a multiple local stakeholder workshop. Key barriers and drivers for water reclamation implementation were identified. Measures proposed during the workshop could serve as a starting point for the development of water reclamation projects in Vietnam. / Các nước Đông Nam Á và đặc biệt là Việt Nam nói riêng hiện đang phải đối mặt với những thách thức về đảm bảo an ninh nguồn nước; cải tạo nguồn nước hiện đang được xem là một giải pháp thuận lợi. Mặc dù các công nghệ phù hợp đã có sẵn, nhưng một số hạn chế đã ngăn cản các bên liên quan và đặc biệt là những nhà làm chính sách có thể khai thác các tiềm năng của những công nghệ này. Trong bài báo này, chúng tôi trình bày các kết quả của việc áp dụng một công cụ hỗ trợ quyết định (DST) để đánh giá việc cải tạo nguồn nước, hỗ trợ các nghiên cứu tiền khả thi và xây dựng các khả năng cải tạo nguồn nước ở Việt Nam. DST và dữ liệu của nó là nguồn truy cập mở, cung cấp thông tin liên quan đến những tiêu chuẩn về chất lượng nước và nước thải của địa phương và quốc tế. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã xác định các tình huống điển hình có tiềm năng cao của Việt Nam và tiến hành phân tích PISTLE có hệ thống xem xét sáu khía cạnh (Chính trị, Thể chế, Xã hội, Kỹ thuật, Pháp lý và Kinh tế) tại một hội thảo của các bên liên quan tại địa phương. Những rào cản chính và yếu tố vận hành của việc thực hiện cải tạo nguồn nước cũng đã được xác định. Các giải pháp được đề xuất trong hội thảo này có thể đóng vai trò là điểm khởi đầu để phát triển các dự án cải tạo nguồn nước ở Việt Nam.

This thesis paper addresses a problem of motivation that interaction designers experience when managing multiple design processes while keeping track of many design considerations. Once this issue is described at length, the paper focuses towards a possible solution in the form of a hybrid between creativity and productivity support tools: an accomplishment support tool. This tool is meant to support interaction designers in their experience with managing multiple processes.This paper does not suggest that interaction design is the only profession that suffers from the motivation issue that is described, nor does it deny that other professions could benefit from the use of such a tool. The paper merely attempts to narrow the issue down to one profession so that it may be addressed within the limits of the thesis project.The paper explores the need for such a tool by inspecting and analyzing current methods and digital applications used by interaction designers and mentions how this need is addressed with solutions based on relevant theories from diverse areas of interest. As defining qualities emerge from a combination of theoretical and practical research, case studies are described from a preparation perspective and then as experienced by workshop participants and interviewees.The case studies (which include workshops and prototype modules) are then reflected upon and discussed in terms of their impact on the overall goals of the thesis project. A final prototype in the form of a web application, IxD Companion, is then described through scenarios of use and assessed in the conclusion. Suggestion to future work on accomplishment support tools such as IxD Companion, as well as others, is provided at the end.