Geert Poels

Bio: Geert Poels is an academic researcher from Ghent University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Business process modeling & Business process. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 277 publications receiving 3626 citations. Previous affiliations of Geert Poels include Association for Computing Machinery & Polytechnic University of Valencia.

A conceptual modeling quality framework

Abstract: The goal of any modeling activity is a complete and accurate understanding of the real-world domain, within the bounds of the problem at hand and keeping in mind the goals of the stakeholders involved. High-quality representations are critical to that understanding. This paper proposes a comprehensive Conceptual Modeling Quality Framework, bringing together two well-known quality frameworks: the framework of Lindland, Sindre, and Solvberg (LSS) and that of Wand and Weber based on Bunge's ontology (BWW). This framework builds upon the strengths of the LSS and BWW frameworks, bringing together and organizing the various quality cornerstones and then defining the many quality dimensions that connect one to another. It presents a unified view of conceptual modeling quality that can benefit both researchers and practitioners.

Evaluating quality of conceptual modelling scripts based on user perceptions

Abstract: This paper presents the development of a user evaluations based quality model for conceptual modelling scripts applying Seddon's variant of the well-known model of DeLone and McLean [W.H. DeLone, E.R. McLean, Information systems success: the quest for the dependent variable, Information Systems Journal 3(1) (1992) 60-95] for evaluating the success of information systems. Given the growing awareness among researchers and practitioners about the importance of high-quality conceptual modelling scripts, it is surprising that there is no practical evaluation framework that considers the quality of conceptual modelling scripts from the user perspective. A first research goal is therefore to determine what the appropriate dimensions are for evaluating the success or quality of conceptual modelling scripts from the user point of view. A second goal is to investigate the relationships between these quality dimensions. The paper also presents an empirical test of the proposed model of quality dimensions and their relationships. Results are presented of two experiments with 187 and 124 business students respectively, that were designed to test a set of hypotheses generated from the proposed model. The results largely support the proposed model and have implications for both theory and practice of quality evaluation of conceptual modelling scripts.

Defining business process maturity. A journey towards excellence

Abstract: Organisations are increasingly focusing on their business processes to excel. Since the journey towards process excellence is challenging, various authors have proposed a business process maturity model (BPMM) to gradually improve maturity and capability. Nonetheless, a comprehensive definition for BPMM, maturity and capability is missing. Moreover, the differences between maturity and capability are frequently neglected. Therefore, this study elaborates on the lacking foundation. In particular, a thorough literature study is conducted to address three gaps regarding the BPMM scope, terminology and design. It reveals six basic BPMM components within a business process lifecycle (scope gap): (1) modelling, (2) deployment, (3) optimisation, (4) management, (5) culture, and (6) structure. Their overall growth refers to maturity, whereas the growth of an individual component includes capability (terminology gap). To increase its usability, a BPMM gives guidance on both assessing and improving business processes (design gap).The findings allow clear communication about BPMMs, and new models based on the identified components. This unambiguous understanding helps to avoid confusion and inappropriate assumptions in the business process literature. Future research will further validate the definitions by comparing BPMMs.

Defining and validating metrics for assessing the understandability of entity-relationship diagrams

Abstract: Database and data model evolution cause significant problems in the highly dynamic business environment that we experience these days. To support the rapidly changing data requirements of agile companies, conceptual data models, which constitute the foundation of database design, should be sufficiently flexible to be able to incorporate changes easily and smoothly. In order to understand what factors drive the maintainability of conceptual data models and to improve conceptual modelling processes, we need to be able to assess conceptual data model properties and qualities in an objective and cost-efficient manner. The scarcity of early available and thoroughly validated maintainability measurement instruments motivated us to define a set of metrics for Entity-Relationship (ER) diagrams. In this paper we show that these easily calculated and objective metrics, measuring structural properties of ER diagrams, can be used as indicators of the understandability of the diagrams. Understandability is a key factor in determining maintainability as model modifications must be preceded by a thorough understanding of the model. The validation of the metrics as early understandability indicators opens up the way for an in-depth study of how structural properties determine conceptual data model understandability. It also allows building maintenance-related prediction models that can be used in conceptual data modelling practice.

A conceptual framework and classification of capability areas for business process maturity

Abstract: The article elaborates on business process maturity, which indicates how well an organisation can perform based on its business processes, i.e. on its way of working. This topic is of paramount importance for managers who try to excel in today's competitive world. Hence, business process maturity is an emerging research field. However, no consensus exists on the capability areas or skills needed to excel. Moreover, their theoretical foundation and synergies with other fields are frequently neglected. To overcome this gap, our study presents a conceptual framework with six main capability areas and 17 sub areas. It draws on theories regarding the traditional business process lifecycle, which are supplemented by recognised organisation management theories. The comprehensiveness of this framework is validated by mapping 69 business process maturity models BPMMs to the identified capability areas, based on content analysis. Nonetheless, as a consensus neither exists among the collected BPMMs, a classification of different maturity types is proposed, based on cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Consequently, the findings contribute to the grounding of business process literature. Possible future avenues are evaluating existing BPMMs, directing new BPMMs or investigating which combinations of capability areas i.e. maturity types contribute more to performance than others.

Using Multivariate Statistics

Abstract: Thank you for downloading using multivariate statistics. As you may know, people have look hundreds times for their favorite novels like this using multivariate statistics, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some harmful bugs inside their laptop. using multivariate statistics is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our books collection saves in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the using multivariate statistics is universally compatible with any devices to read.

Out of the Crisis

Abstract: According to W. Edwards Deming, American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management style and of governmental relations with industry. In Out of the Crisis, originally published in 1982, Deming offers a theory of management based on his famous 14 Points for Management. Management's failure to plan for the future, he claims, brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to stay in business, protect investment, ensure future dividends, and provide more jobs through improved product and service. In simple, direct language, he explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them.

The internet of things: a survey

Abstract: In recent year, the Internet of Things (IoT) has drawn significant research attention. IoT is considered as a part of the Internet of the future and will comprise billions of intelligent communicating `things'. The future of the Internet will consist of heterogeneously connected devices that will further extend the borders of the world with physical entities and virtual components. The Internet of Things (IoT) will empower the connected things with new capabilities. In this survey, the definitions, architecture, fundamental technologies, and applications of IoT are systematically reviewed. Firstly, various definitions of IoT are introduced; secondly, emerging techniques for the implementation of IoT are discussed; thirdly, some open issues related to the IoT applications are explored; finally, the major challenges which need addressing by the research community and corresponding potential solutions are investigated.