Showing papers on "Project engineering published in 1994"

Using metrics in management decision making

Abstract: The amount of code in NASA systems has continued to grow over the past 30 years. This growth brings with it the increased risk of system failure caused by software. Thus, managing the risks inherent in software development and maintenance is becoming a highly visible and important field. The metrics effort within NASA's Mission Operations Directorate has helped managers and engineers better understand their processes and products. The toolkit helps ensure consistent data collection across projects and increases the number and types of analysis options available to project personnel. The decisions made on the basis of metrics analysis have helped project engineers make decisions about project and mission readiness by removing the inherent optimism of "engineering judgment". >

Comparative review of functional complexity assessment methods for effort estimation

Abstract: Budgetary constraints are placing increasing pressure on project managers to effectively estimate development effort requirements at the earliest opportunity. With the rising impact of automation on commercial software development, the attention of researchers developing effort estimation models has recently been focused on functional representations of systems, in response to the assertion that development effort is a function of specification content. A number of such models exist; several, however, have received almost no research or industry attention. Project managers wishing to implement a functional assessment and estimation programme are therefore unlikely to be aware of the various methods or how they compare. This paper therefore provides this information, as well as forming a basis for the development and improvement of new methods. >

Strategic R&D program selection and resource allocation with a decision support system application

Abstract: Continuous evaluation of engineering project ideas for portfolio selection and resource allocation is one of the most challenging decisions that managers make on an ongoing basis. Decisions regarding project portfolios must be continuously monitored and updated due to the emergence of new opportunities and availability of more profitable projects, changes in the technical and/or commercial success probabilities, possible changes in the organizational objectives and goals, and variations in the forecasts at different points in time as the development and implementation of optimal decision rules take place. This paper presents a decision support system to assist management in systematically allocating resources to competing interrelated R&D projects under uncertainty within semi-structured decision environments. The model and the decision process integrate and extend the attractive features of scoring techniques, pairwise comparison method and probabilistic tradeoff development method. >

Life cycle design: AT&T demonstration project

Abstract: Summary form only given. The life cycle design framework developed at the University of Michigan guides the integration of environmental requirements into the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life states of a product system. Elements of the life cycle design framework were applied in AT&T's product realization process for a business phone. This demonstration project tested the use of a multicriteria requirements matrix which includes environmental, performance, cost, cultural, and legal dimensions. Critical requirements that shape the design of the business phone were identified and life cycle design strategies used to resolve conflicts between these requirements are highlighted in this paper. In addition, challenges in implementing life cycle design such as insufficient environmental data and lack of consensus on environmental assessment are discussed. >

Using simulation and visualization technologies to strengthen the design/construction interface

Abstract: The design and construction of a building, heavy civil or industrial project requires input from a wide range of members of the project team. Throughout the different phases of the facility development process, different members of the project team need to interact with each other, with one party generating information that needs to be used by the other party for their own tasks. The interface between the design team and the construction team is particularly important, especially since the quality of construction for the facility many times is a function of the quality of the information generated during the planning and design phases, and especially of the degree of construction input to the design process. The paper describes a new methodology for simulating construction operations, which strengthens the design/construction interface. This methodology provides a way of running interactive and real-time simulation of construction operations in a virtual environment that brings the user closer to the real world than ever before. Within this environment, a user can identify problems visually during the planning or design phases of a project, and solve them prior to actual construction of the facility.

Appropriate technologies [photovoltaic power generation]

Abstract: The use of technology to improve health and general well-being of much of the world's population-and do so at affordable cost-presents electrical and electronics engineers with unusual challenges and opportunities The topic covered in this paper is photovoltaics, which has the potential of bringing electric energy to millions of remote rural households, greatly enhancing their quality of life Photovoltaics is attractive because it can help countries avoid the huge expense of expanding electric grids into rural areas >

AP/sup 3/-advanced project planning paradigm for construction

Abstract: AP/sup 3/ is a simulation-based method that provides a framework for modeling large and complex systems. AP/sup 3/ is geared towards modeling of construction projects, however the underlying philosophy can be adopted for modeling any generic system. Hierarchical and modular modeling constructs form the basis of the modeling methodology. The focus of the paper is to highlight the enhanced modeling features that form the basis of this method. Logical division of a large system such as a construction project into work components, development of simulation models for the identified components and their internal linkage is the key contribution of the work.

Human effects in early stage construction contract price forecasting

Abstract: This paper describes a postal survey of UK quantity surveyors to relate human factors, such as experience and personality, to conceptual estimating expertise. Composite variables were derived by factor analysis and examined against estimates of average national prices for several types of building. It is shown that expertise is very much of a project specific nature and does not extend in a simplistic way to projects outside the defined domain and that estimators must exercise of great caution when undertaking work even slightly outside their regular activities. Different building types demand different emphasis and special attention is drawn to the complexity of the project, the degree of services content, and particular sub-market conditions. The easiest projects to estimate appear to be industrial (factories) and residential (houses) with offices being the hardest, probably due to the wider variety of design and quality options in the latter. Knowledge and care are identified as the most crucial attributes of good estimators. >

Unified Telerobotic Architecture Project status report

Abstract: Air Force depots are prime examples of an industrial environment where small batch sizes, feature uncertainty, and varying workload conspire to make classical industrial robotic solutions impractical and telerobotics a key enabling technology. The United States Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Robotics and Automation Center of Excellence (RACE) has launched the Unified Telerobotics Architecture Project (UTAP) to champion the development of the support infrastructure necessary to foster creative development and innovative utilization of emerging telerobotic technologies for depot applications. Recently, this focus has been expanded to include more diverse environments, such as the flightline and shipyard, as well. The status of the UTAP program is the focus of this paper. >

Turbine under Gulf Stream (TUGS) overview of an energy source potential

Abstract: The authors present the details of a turbine under the Gulf Stream (TUGS) proposal submitted to the Advance Research Projects Agency (ARPA) under the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP). The project is to design, build, and deploy the prototypes necessary to demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of generating electric power from the Gulf Stream. The project is based in part on new generator designs and emerging materials technologies that significantly enhance the likelihood of success. Presented is the initial design, economic, and maintenance assumptions. The design, economic and maintenance assumptions are to be thoroughly tested, evaluated and refined during the course of the project. To be fully successful, the project shall demonstrate the technology and produce prototype turbines which can be mass produced and sold with service support to a wide variety of customers worldwide. >

The innovation process: interpreting customer requirements

Abstract: In this article we argue that the interpreter role serves an important function in the innovation of new products and processes. In our survey of over 1000 United States Air Force engineers and project managers, we found that translating customer requirements into specification and statement of work form is one of the most difficult tasks to do in a program office. In analyzing the reasons for this difficulty, we address possible concerns about the nature of the requirement's definition process. >

Sunplicity: from complex system design to standard product level

Abstract: In 1989 Alpha Real launched the project Megawatt to promote and demonstrate that standardised PV power systems in the kW-range are cost effective in comparison to large scale installations. Project Megawatt was a huge success and the project concept was adopted by many others around the world. Within this system, standard new components had been developed and tested, such as an arc detector to improve safety against fire, roof tile for integration in dwellings and flat roof support for integration in commercial buildings. Exactly five years later, the project Gigawatt was launched by Alpha Real to promote and demonstrate that small independent 200 W AC modules will be cost effective compared with DC wired PV power systems. Several developments were made to achieve a unique product. Some of the inventions were a new hot spot detector and control device, and the low cost DC-to-AC power converter "edisun". Three different types of PV products were developed and called accordingly Gigalino Handy, Gigalino Top and Gigalino Max.

One year evaluation of the PV-wind-diesel hybrid project in C-Calak, Mexico

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV)-wind-diesel hybrid power system has been operating for 27 months in Southeast Mexico. The performance of the system, level of users satisfaction and project sustainability have been studied since early 1993. Results from one year of project monitoring are reported, including the electricity generated, load pattern and overall system performance. It is concluded that the hybrid power system is performing well, but a set of nontechnical factors threaten the long-term sustainability of the project.

An interactive project prioritization model implementation

Abstract: Arcelik A.S. is a leading home appliance manufacturer in Turkey. The changing position of Turkey and the market led the organization to establish an R&D department in 1991. For effective utilization of R&D resources, a project prioritization and selection methodology has been developed. A weighted scoring model is selected as a base for the methodology. The method is extended to provide the involvement of upper management by defining new criteria and an interactive decision process. During the development of this model, department managers contributed to the identification of criteria. Implementation of the methodology as well as difficulties, solutions to them and organizational constraints are also summarized. >

Setting up the SOCRATES information centre for the RHAPIT field trial

Abstract: RHAPIT (Rhein/Main Area Project for Integrated Traffic Management) is an initiative of the German federal state of Hessen. The Commission of the EU supports this three year project within the framework of the research and development program, ATT (advanced transport telematics). RHAPIT is intended to be a component of an integrated traffic management in the Rhein/Main area. The aim of the field trial is thus to determine which kind of contribution the guidance and information system SOCRATES (System Of Cellular RAdio for Traffic Efficiency and Safety) can make to an integrated traffic management. The Rhein/Main area is one of the several European test areas where such systems are tested and evaluated in terms of their applicability. The area was chosen due to the fact that the existing collective traffic control systems and the extensive traffic database offers ideal conditions for such a field trial. >

The Wiley Project Engineer's Desk Reference: Project Engineering, Operations, and Management

Abstract: THE PROJECT. The Project. THE ENGINEERING PROCESS. The Engineering Process. Design Control. Engineering Organization. PROJECT OPERATIONS. Scheduling and Forecasting. Estimating and Cost Control. Material Acquisition. Project Management. International Projects. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. Proposals. Contracts and Legal Considerations. Human Resources. Business Operations. Appendices. Selected References. Index.

Applied Systems Engineering Management ‐The JORN Engineering Process Model.

Abstract: Use of the JORN Engineering Process Model (JEPM) improves work process effectiveness throughout the JORN (Jindalee Operational Radar Network) Project. A set of integrated courses introduce the JEPM to staff. Subsequent process examination provides more than simplistic (and short-term) process improvement. Education in the JEPM is aimed at quickly building an effective, productive engineering culture. The JEPM is utilised to understand processes and interrelationships. Effective processes can then be established, which implement project plans in a synergistic manner. Efficiency in work processes can then be raised, but only with an effective process. The JEPM is composed of four layers, which hierarchically decompose all project engineering tasks into smaller “process descriptions”. These identify required work, and entry/exit criteria, for each process. The JEPM creates a large integrated workflow diagram which could be used to monitor process effectiveness and generate performance metrics. This management tool enhances visibility of existing plans, and establishes context for plans & procedures. From a Systems Engineering viewpoint, this provides more effective direction, understanding of process interaction, and greater control over outcomes.

Meta-Modeling for Project Engineering

Abstract: Systems Engineering and Project Management are converging Systems Engineers are assuming greater responsibilities for the complete project and Project Managers are requiring greater insight into the details of the project product and process A technique, supported by a computer aided tool, is needed to assist the project Systems Engineer in meeting new responsibilities and to give the Project Manager the insight required The technique proposed is meta-modeling A practical working tool for project management and systems engineering meta-modeling is presented using an extension of the tool RDD-100 A new engineering discipline to provide the skill mix and modeling expertise required for project meta-modeling is described This discipline, called project engineering, is a natural outgrowth of the convergence of systems engineering and project management

PLEIADES - a DRIVE II project (Paris-London evaluation of integrated ATT and DRIVE experimental systems)

Abstract: The move towards greater European unity and the opening of the Channel Tunnel will increase the strategic importance of the transport corridor between London and Paris. The use of advanced transport telematics (ATT) systems to meet the need of pre-trip and in-trip driver information will become a key element of the overall transport solution for the corridor. Information service providers and infrastructure owners in the corridor are working together in the PLEIADES project, towards the wider deployment of ATT. With overall traffic volumes in the corridor predicted to rise, traffic management systems are needed which can take into account changes in the distribution of demand or the occurrence of incidents. The PLEIADES project will provide early evaluation of the benefits of deploying network management strategies which optimise capacity. The PLEIADES project is part of the second phase of the EC Transport Telematics research programme DRIVE (Dedicated Road Infrastructure for Vehicle Safety in Europe). It aims to pilot the results of research carried out by earlier DRIVE projects, as well as EUREKA projects and other national projects in UK and France. >