Showing papers on "Project engineering published in 1995"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used an ex post facto research design to test the propositional model and found that successful project teams are characterized by a maximum uncertainty reduction during planning, i.e., by maximum decrease of R&D and marketing task variability, and a maximum increase of task analyzability.
Abstract: The planning stage of an innovation project has a great effect on the commercial performance of the project. During the "fuzzy front-end", the organization formulates a concept of the product to be developed, and determines whether or not the organization will invest resources in the concrete development of the idea. The integration of R&D and marketing activities is a necessary condition for success in innovation projects. The research question of this study is: from an information processing perspective, what role does information transfer play in integrating R&D and marketing functions during the planning stage, and what effects do project formalization and project centralization of R&D and marketing planning activities have on the efficiency of marketing and technological uncertainty reduction? The authors use an ex post facto research design to test the propositional model. The findings show that successful project teams are characterized by a maximum uncertainty reduction during planning, i.e., by a maximum decrease of R&D and marketing task variability, and a maximum increase of R&D and marketing task analyzability. Information flows between these functions help them to achieve this efficient uncertainty reduction. While project centralization has a negative effect on efficient uncertainty reduction, project formalization is curvilinearly related to the amount of uncertainty reduced during planning. >
282 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of customer involvement in effective customization of projects, products, or services is addressed, and relationships between variables such as project effectiveness, user involvement, supplier efficacy for service to the client, and project complexity are studied.
Abstract: This paper addresses the role of customer involvement in effective customization of projects, products, or services. Relationships between variables such as project effectiveness, user involvement, supplier efficacy for service to the client, and project complexity are studied. The conditions necessitating involvement are also explored. The case of voice network customization is examined. A questionnaire is designed to measure the variables of the study. Factor analysis gives two factors of project complexity: project size/cost; and user inexperience. Findings provide evidence that user involvement is positively related to network project effectiveness. Supplier efficacy for service is positively and significantly related to user involvement and project effectiveness. The implication is that suppliers with a service-orientation can motivate user involvement and achieve client satisfaction, In addition, user inexperience is positively related to user involvement showing the importance of learning as a motivator for customer participation. >
44 citations
01 Dec 1995
TL;DR: A step-by-step approach to aid in the management of real-life simulation projects and a list of tasks needed to complete each step is presented to help the engineer document and validate the project.
Abstract: Summarizes the steps and procedures of performing a simulation study. Simulation studies are complicated by nature and without any formal procedure can present a large challenge for engineers. This paper develops a step-by-step approach to aid in the management of real-life simulation projects. A list of tasks needed to complete each step is presented to help the engineer document and validate the project. This approach has been used for the successful development and conclusion of several real-life simulation projects.
28 citations
22 Oct 1995
TL;DR: Orca as mentioned in this paper is a mission-level controller for long-range ocean science AUVs that has been built and tested in simulation; in the future, it will undergo in-water tests aboard the Marine Systems Engineering Laboratory's EAVE-III vehicles.
Abstract: Establishing a useful presence in the ocean is becoming increasingly important to science, industry, and the military, yet the undersea environment is hostile to human presence. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) offer a solution. Before widespread use of AUVs is practical, however, mechanisms for intelligent control must be developed. In this paper, we report on the Orca project, which has the aim of creating a robust, intelligent, mission-level controller for long-range ocean science AUVs. Orca is now being built and tested in simulation; in the future, it will undergo in-water tests aboard the Marine Systems Engineering Laboratory's EAVE-III vehicles. In this paper, we discuss the motivation behind the project, the Orca program, and our current status and future work.
16 citations
26 Apr 1995
TL;DR: The Quality in Higher Education (QHE) project was launched in the UK in September 1991 as discussed by the authors, which is sponsored by a partnership of education, government and business, including the Department for Education, the funding councils, accrediting bodies, major employers, employers' organisations, higher education institutions and research and training organisations.
Abstract: The three year Quality in Higher Education (QHE) project was launched in the UK in September 1991. It is sponsored by a partnership of education, government and business. Its sponsors include the Department for Education, the funding councils, accrediting bodies, major employers, employers' organisations, higher education institutions and research and training organisations. It is independent of any single organisation or institution but its physical base is the University of Central England in Birmingham. Each of the sponsors is represented on the project steering group which meets about once every three months. Sponsors are expected to take an active part in determining the scope and development of the project. (13 pages)
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a senior level design course is presented that integrates the numerous phases of project development in order to prepare the student for the industrial environment, and the course consisted of designing and flight testing an electronically guided model rocket.
Abstract: Electrical engineering graduates are faced with a wide variety of technological and managerial decisions. The ability of the engineer to interact with the entire spectrum of individuals involved in marketing a product is a critical component of the overall success of a project. A senior level design course is presented that integrates the numerous phases of project development in order to prepare the student for the industrial environment. The course consisted of designing and flight testing an electronically guided model rocket. An analysis of the rockets anticipated flight path was performed using a FORTRAN program which took into account such factors as stability, center of gravity, center of pressure, and engine thrust. The rocket was flight tested for three successful controlled flights and recoveries. Test flight results proved the design of the rocket to be very stable and respond quickly in flight. >
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a strategy for the use of information systems by engineers and designers in each of its many worldwide company operations spread over Europe, America, and Asia.
Abstract: John Brown E&C is the world's largest chemical plant engineering and construction company employing 11000 staff in a multitude of offices. John Brown Engineers and Constructors is implementing a strategy for the use of information systems by engineers and designers in each of its many worldwide company operations spread over Europe, America and Asia. This strategy commenced in 1989 when every operation agreed to the development of common systems for project engineering data management, a common high speed network and an integrated project management information system.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the progress of a Respironics team which was given the task of redesigning a manual resuscitator to meet demanding quality, standards and short time-to-market deadlines is described.
Abstract: Illustrates the advantages of goal definitions at the earliest stages of product design, both for project engineering teams and for the general management of the design process. Details the progress of a Respironics team which was given the task of redesigning a manual resuscitator to meet demanding quality, standards and short time‐to‐market deadlines. Offers an explanation of their success in meeting these and other requirements, including reduced cost, improved ease‐of‐assembly and added features.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on risk management as one tool which can make the difference between success and failure, and examine its application to a risky project developed for the operating companies of a large multinational organisation.
Abstract: Information systems (IS) requirements are often difficult to define and are inextricably tied up with people and organisations. Add to this the continually changing nature of the technology and you have a cocktail of risks. This article focuses on risk management as one tool which can make the difference between success and failure, and examines its application to a risky project developed for the operating companies of a large multinational organisation.
4 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A successful project follows seven well-defined steps: scoping, approval, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and startup as discussed by the authors, followed by a successful project following seven well defined steps.
Abstract: A successful project follows seven well-defined steps: scoping, approval, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and startup
3 citations
27 Aug 1995
TL;DR: Exploratory research in intelligent and adaptive control systems at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) attempts to combine the goal of finding innovative and valuable applications specific to the electric power industry with the equally important goal of establishing fundamental theory or reliable procedures for the design and development of adaptive and intelligent systems.
Abstract: Exploratory research in intelligent and adaptive control systems at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) attempts to combine the goal of finding innovative and valuable applications specific to the electric power industry with the equally important goal of establishing fundamental theory or reliable procedures for the design and development of adaptive and intelligent systems. The largest block of this research consists of twenty-one projects that make up the "Intelligent Control Systems Initiative", jointly funded by EPRI and the National Science Foundation. Most of these projects began in 1993 and will continue for three years. The rest of EPRI's exploratory research projects, that address intelligent and adaptive control in general, are part of the program in applied mathematics and information science (AM&IS). This area emphasizes fundamental theory and design procedures. However, the AM&IS program also includes projects that seek to invent and test new techniques and new applications whose success appears relatively risky at the beginning of the project.
30 Jul 1995
TL;DR: The paper describes the current status and planned developments of the TABASCO project, a European demonstration project to implement multi-modal information and control systems as a means to solve transport problems of cities in regions.
Abstract: The TABASCO (Telematics Applications in Bavaria, SCotland and Others) initiative is developing more reliable road transport systems to meet the needs of citizens, the economy and the environment, and demonstrating this improvement in the European context It is making significant improvements to transport systems based on public and private sector investment in advanced transport telematics (ATT) TABASCO is a European demonstration project to implement multi-modal information and control systems as a means to solve transport problems of cities in regions The focus of the project is user oriented validation of transport telematics systems developed and implemented in cities and the regions surrounding them The paper describes the current status and planned developments of the TABASCO project
01 Nov 1995
TL;DR: An update is given on experiences with the use of project scheduling software in a sequence of design classes and new steps taken to improve the student acceptance of the software are described.
Abstract: An update is given on experiences with the use of project scheduling software in a sequence of design classes. In addition to reviewing a previous approach (T.W. Schultz, 1994), it describes new steps taken to improve the student acceptance of the software. The initial learning process has been eased by "Cue Cards" included in the new version of PROJECT. Student acceptance has improved remarkably. The PERT chart has become unnecessary since task dependencies can now be shown directly on the Gantt chart. Homework to teach the concepts of tasks, dependencies, and scheduling now precedes the introduction of the software. This develops a clearer idea of task and scheduling concepts so the software becomes a simple tool rather than an inflexible master. Requiring weekly tracking Gantt charts increases the students' perception of the software's value. The paper concludes with fresh student comments and plans for future changes and improvements.
30 Jul 1995
TL;DR: The author describes the CIT project which implements a traffic information center based on open systems technology that integrates geographical, real-time and public services data and now offers driver information through a free phone call to any citizen.
Abstract: The author describes the CIT project which implements a traffic information center based on open systems technology. It integrates geographical, real-time and public services data and now offers driver information through a free phone call to any citizen. The key design points and issues of the project are explained in this paper.
04 Dec 1995
TL;DR: The CHIPPAC project as discussed by the authors is a 2.5-year, European Union (ESPRIT) sponsored, multinational, collaborative project involving 11 partners, focusing on the work between Bull SA in France and GEC-Marconi in the UK concerning the manufacture and comparison of high density printed circuit boards for applications deploying MCMs and advanced BGA packages.
Abstract: Cost effective high performance packaging of electronic systems is critical to the market success of modern electronic products. CHIPPAC is a 2.5 year, European Union (ESPRIT) sponsored, multinational, collaborative project involving 11 partners. The aim of CHIPPAC is to develop and compare technology options available for exploitation in products today. Work tasks in the project look at the real issues of design for manufacture by the inclusion of demonstrator system units. In parallel, technology tasks produce the knowhow and hardware for these demonstrators. Whilst the whole project is actively involved in most of the issues that concern our industry (e.g. Known Good Die, assembly, electrical performance, thermal management), this presentation concentrates on the work between Bull SA in France and GEC-Marconi in the UK concerning the manufacture and comparison of high density printed circuit boards for applications deploying MCMs and advanced BGA packages.
06 Mar 1995
TL;DR: The project BluePrint is a design data flow management tool which is an extension to the DAMOCLES tracking system that defines project data dependencies and controls change propagation and allows the separation of project specific information from tool activities facilitating tool integration.
Abstract: Today's large IC designs involve highly partitioned, highly coupled and voluminous design data evolving over time. Tracking design state is becoming an essential component of design tracking systems. In this paper we present the project BluePrint, a design data flow management tool which is an extension to the DAMOCLES tracking system. The project BluePrint is event driven. It defines project data dependencies and controls change propagation. The BluePrint allows the separation of project specific information from tool activities facilitating tool integration. The project BluePrint follows the non-obstructive approach championed by the DAMOCLES tracking system. >
TL;DR: A senior undergraduate project in digital communications combining theory with computer aided design (CAD) and providing hands on experience in the field is considered and the measured performance correlated well with the performance predicted by theory and computer simulation.
Abstract: A senior undergraduate project in digital communications combining theory with computer aided design (CAD) and providing hands on experience in the field is considered. The project is suitable for engineering undergraduate students with a background of a first course in digital communications and digital system design. The project consists of the study, computer simulation, design and hardware implementation of a soft decision information set decoder for an (8,4) extended Hamming code. The measured performance correlated well with the performance predicted by theory and computer simulation. >