Showing papers on "Project engineering published in 1989"
TL;DR: An extensive case study is presented and analyzed: the attempt to introduce new information systems to a large industrial corporation in an emerging nation shows that Theory W and its subsidiary principles do an effective job both in explaining why the project encountered problems, and in prescribing ways in which the problems could have been avoided.
Abstract: A software project management theory is presented called Theory W: make everyone a winner. The authors explain the key steps and guidelines underlying the Theory W statement and its two subsidiary principles: plan the flight and fly the plan; and, identify and manage your risks. Theory W's fundamental principle holds that software project managers will be fully successful if and only if they make winners of all the other participants in the software process: superiors, subordinates, customers, users, maintainers, etc. Theory W characterizes a manager's primary role as a negotiator between his various constituencies, and a packager of project solutions with win conditions for all parties. Beyond this, the manager is also a goal-setter, a monitor of progress towards goals, and an activist in seeking out day-to-day win-lose or lose-lose project conflicts confronting them, and changing them into win-win situations. Several examples illustrate the application of Theory W. An extensive case study is presented and analyzed: the attempt to introduce new information systems to a large industrial corporation in an emerging nation. The analysis shows that Theory W and its subsidiary principles do an effective job both in explaining why the project encountered problems, and in prescribing ways in which the problems could have been avoided. >
497 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the use of fuzzy sets will allow an analyst to communicate degrees of risk of individual project elements to people in readily understood language terms, which would permit an evaluation of the overall risk of a construction project.
Abstract: The authors introduce the concept of construction project analysis by fuzzy set theory and provide a methodology for risk assessment by linguistics. It is shown that the use of fuzzy sets will allow an analyst to communicate degrees of risk of individual project elements to people in readily understood language terms. Once these individual risk elements are communicated, fuzzy set theory would then permit an evaluation of the overall risk of a construction project. An illustrative example is presented. >
260 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the significance of project management structure on the success of 546 development projects was investigated, and it was shown that success varies according to the project structure used, even when other determinants are accounted for.
Abstract: The significance of project management structure on the success of 546 development projects was investigated. Multivariate procedures revealed that success varies according to the project structure used, even when other determinants are accounted for. Projects relying on the functional organization or a functional matrix were less successful than those which used a balanced matrix, project matrix, or project team. The project matrix outperformed the balanced matrix in meeting schedule, and outperformed the project team in controlling cost. Implications for managing development projects are briefly discussed. >
253 citations
01 Mar 1989
TL;DR: The authors derive, from elementary principles and basic assumptions, a continuous-time model of project execution of an aggregate level of detail that can be manipulated easily and quickly by methods of linear programming to perform the required analysis.
Abstract: A production system is studied in which thousands of activities are carried out concurrently subject to precedence constraints and limitations on resources such as skilled labor and equipment. Ideally, management proposes a set of milestone dates, obtains an analysis of which milestones cannot be met, and determines which resources are underused or overused. This process continues interactively until milestones consistent with management's objectives are obtained. The authors derive, from elementary principles and basic assumptions (axioms), a continuous-time model of project execution of an aggregate level of detail. The model is approximated using a set of linear inequalities. This data structure can be manipulated easily and quickly by methods of linear programming to perform the required analysis. >
27 citations
01 Mar 1989
TL;DR: The authors show how scheduling of complex multiprocess manufacturing or construction operations can be examined in an interindustry framework for its impact dynamics on a national or regional economy.
Abstract: The authors show how scheduling of complex multiprocess manufacturing or construction operations can be examined in an interindustry framework for its impact dynamics on a national or regional economy The technical coefficients of the static Leontief input-output model are replaced by time-phased input coefficients containing additional information on the timing of industry inputs with respect to product completion Coupling engineering project scheduling methods, such as the critical path method (CPM), to SIM (sequential interindustry model) allows the investigation of two distinct engineering-economic issues The first involves the development of the time-phased input coefficients themselves The second involves computation, by SIM, of the dynamic economic impact of large, complex, and lengthy production, construction, and related macroengineering undertakings The resulting total economic impact chronology is determined by the interaction of payment schedules with the regional and national economies, consisting of industries that are themselves described through time-phased input coefficients >
26 citations
TL;DR: The authors define three underlying reasoning processes Watson uses to maintain the integrity of a user's project data during project definition, and they discuss how Watson uses these foundational capabilities to provide more extensive support to managers by assisting in the automatic generation of project plan definitions.
Abstract: The authors are developing a knowledge-based software project management system called Watson, written in ART (Automated Reasoning Tool) and Common Lisp. Watson uses a robust conceptual model of the software project management domain as a foundation for assisting software managers in project definition and dynamic problem solving. They present three scenarios (illustrating how managers use Watson in defining project plans), describe the model of software project management constituting the system's conceptual framework, and examine the knowledge representation used to implement this model. The authors define three underlying reasoning processes Watson uses to maintain the integrity of a user's project data during project definition, and they discuss how Watson uses these foundational capabilities to provide more extensive support to managers by assisting in the automatic generation of project plan definitions. >
15 citations
TL;DR: The ACCESS project as discussed by the authors is a project within the RACE (Research in Advanced Communication in Europe) program, which aims to study the entire customer access connection, including the transmission, the multiplexing, and the passive optical network.
Abstract: The ACCESS project, which is a project within the RACE (Research in Advanced Communication in Europe) program, is described. The scope of the project is to study the entire customer access connection, including the transmission, the multiplexing, and the passive optical network. The goal of the project is to perform an overall cost optimization, leading to one or more preferred implementations. Because the project is oriented toward the early phases of the integrated broadband network, the majority of the effort is spent on optimization and supplementation of present near-commercial technologies. The project involves 13 partners who share the work organized in three major areas, namely, the 622 Mb/s transmitter/receiver unit for bidirectional transmission on one single-mode (SM) fiber at 1330 and 1550 nm; the passive optical components, including mass splicing techniques, low-cost connectors, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) devices, optical distribution frames, and optical cables; and system aspects of the frame structure and the interfaces to the customer premises network and to the exchange, with the associated functional units being the multiplexers and the broadband channel selector. >
6 citations
SNCF1
TL;DR: In this article, the author describes the various construction phases of the TGV system and reviews the methods used for the economic appraisal of the projects. And the other projects under consideration are also introduced.
Abstract: With the current success of the TGV Southeast and the imminent commissioning of the TGV Atlantique, the TGV projects to be completed in France in the mid-90's, will make up a real high-speed rail system. Here, the author describes the various construction phases of this system and reviews the methods used for the economic appraisal of the TGV projects. The other projects under consideration are also introduced. >
4 citations
01 Aug 1989
TL;DR: An overview of the State of Texas' interest in intelligent vehicle/highway systems is given in this paper, focusing on the short-term real-time signal control project, to improve urban traffic control; and the longer-term demonstration research project on vehicles able to make maximum use of control systems that may be integrated into future highways.
Abstract: An overview is given of the State of Texas' interest in intelligent vehicle/highway systems. The Texas Advanced Transportation Technology project is described. Emphasis is placed on the short-term real-time signal control project, to improve urban traffic control; and the autonomous vehicle project, a longer-term demonstration research project on vehicles able to make maximum use of control systems that may be integrated into future highways. >
3 citations
TL;DR: The Helms Project has been in operation since 1984 and represents the state-of-the-art in pumped storage technology in terms of operating heads and unit capacity as discussed by the authors, and a description is given of design features, startup experiences, corrective work, and project performance to date.
Abstract: The Helms Project has been in operation since 1984 and represents the state of the art in pumped storage technology in terms of operating heads and unit capacity. A description is given of design features, startup experiences, corrective work, and project performance to date. The following are covered: mechanical features, electrical features, generators and motors, pump mode operation, transformers, control, protection, station service, powerhouse cranes, rotor dynamics, field pole bucking, thrust bearing, and cold loading. >
2 citations
01 May 1989
TL;DR: Evidence indicates that in the context of the case, the integrated design team approach evolved to support knowledge engineering for two generic expert system products provided significant benefits, including substantial productivity improvement.
Abstract: In order to build expert systems effectively, the organizational framework for knowledge engineering may itself need to be reengineered to meet these requirements. The author focuses on one such case. He describes an integrated design team approach evolved to support knowledge engineering for two generic expert system products. After discussing the reasons for choosing this approach, the author describes team staffing and functional organization. Evidence indicates that in the context of the case, the integrated design team provided significant benefits, including substantial productivity improvement. The strengths, limitations, and conditions that might indicate or restrict the use of such an approach in other organizations working on large-scale generic expert systems are discussed. >
22 Nov 1989
TL;DR: A project management system that offers direct access to powerful project management tools, providing accurate and timely status reports, rapid recalculation of project schedules, and powerful resource and cost tracking capabilities is described.
Abstract: The authors describe a project management system that offers direct access to powerful project management tools, providing accurate and timely status reports, rapid recalculation of project schedules, and powerful resource and cost tracking capabilities. The projects in a large research organization are massive in terms of the amount of work and the number of people involved. There are many complex, interrelated activities going on simultaneously. An effective method of planning, scheduling and controlling these activities is essential for successful implementation of projects without cost and time overruns. A description is given of the different types of information required by various activities at the authors' research firm C-DOT. >
01 May 1989
TL;DR: A project management perspective of advanced computer systems is considered in this paper, where the authors cover the technological aspects of management applicable to advanced train-control project engineering processes, i.e., the knowledge and skills required by railroads to organize, plan, and manage advanced train control system projects.
Abstract: A project management perspective of advanced computer systems is considered. The author covers the technological aspects of management applicable to advanced train-control project engineering processes, i.e., the knowledge and skills required by railroads to organize, plan, and manage advanced train-control-system projects. A practical approach and procedures that work within the existing organizational environment of most class 1 railroads are emphasized. The author also analyzes the computer-system life cycle and describes the benefits derived when using a proper project acquisition team and computer-resource integrated support plan (CRISP). >