Establishment and optimization of an evaluation index system for brownfield redevelopment projects: An empirical study

Brownfield redevelopment has recently become the focus of attention of governments, communities, environmental advocates, scientists, and researchers around the world. The purpose of this study is to provide a framework for establishing and optimizing an evaluation index for brownfield redevelopment projects (BRPs). This framework involves three steps: the initial design, testing and optimization, and verification. With the help of two standard statistical software packages, the reliability and validity of the initialized index system are established, and then the optimization of the initial index system is carried out by means of Factor Analysis. The effectiveness of the optimization of the index system is verified through Structural Equation Modeling. Furthermore, an illustration example is used to show how to apply the established index system in the real world.     

Optimisation of the resource efficiency in an industrial evaporation system

This work deals with the problem of resource efficiency monitoring in a multiple-effect evaporation process. The approach considers first a grey-box nonlinear stationary model of the process and data-reconciliation methods to compute efficiency indicators and to update such model if necessary. The updated model is used in a real-time optimisation layer to compute operation points of the process. Then, some patterns for optimal operation have been identified and implemented by a self-optimising controller to drive the process. In a second step, the fouling, which reduce the heat-transfer efficiency in heat exchangers, is also considered as a function of time and control decisions, in order to optimally drive the process considering the long-term effect. This fouling behaviour forces periodic stops for cleaning, which will be also object of optimisation. Finally, the overall problem is formulated as a real-time optimisation to search for the optimal decisions during a whole operation cycle.     

Prediction of faults-slip-through in large software projects: an empirical evaluation

A large percentage of the cost of rework can be avoided by finding more faults earlier in a software test process. Therefore, determination of which software test phases to focus improvement work on has considerable industrial interest. We evaluate a number of prediction techniques for predicting the number of faults slipping through to unit, function, integration, and system test phases of a large industrial project. The objective is to quantify improvement potential in different test phases by striving toward finding the faults in the right phase. The results show that a range of techniques are found to be useful in predicting the number of faults slipping through to the four test phases; however, the group of search-based techniques (genetic programming, gene expression programming, artificial immune recognition system, and particle swarm optimization–based artificial neural network) consistently give better predictions, having a representation at all of the test phases. Human predictions are consistently better at two of the four test phases. We conclude that the human predictions regarding the number of faults slipping through to various test phases can be well supported by the use of search-based techniques. A combination of human and an automated search mechanism (such as any of the search-based techniques) has the potential to provide improved prediction results.     

Characterising the experience of interaction: an evaluation of automotive rotary dials

Optimising sensory product qualities is a priority for automotive manufacturers when developing human–machine interfaces, as user experience frameworks consider sensory aesthetics to be a main influencing factor of the overall judgement of product appeal. This empirical study examines whether users’ overall judgements of product appeal can be predicted from measures of non-visual aesthetic qualities. Ninety-one UK owners of Supermini segment cars assessed five examples of rotary temperature dials. Factor analysis gave four clear factors common across all samples, of which ‘unrefined loudness’ and ‘positivity/precision’ predicted up to 26% variance in the hedonic score; both factors were similarly important in the regression models. Significant differences in appeal were observed between the samples; however, there were no effects due to age or gender.

Practitioner Summary: The research shows that the overall appeal of automotive rotary dials is partially predicted by their non-visual aesthetics. These findings are applicable to the design of any products where improving the user experience is a goal, as it demonstrates that user experience models are applicable to product domains other than computing and information technology.     

Knowledge transfer in offshore outsourcing software development projects: an analysis of the challenges and solutions from German clients

Knowledge transfer is a critical factor in ensuring the success of offshore outsourcing software development projects and is, in many cases, neglected. Compared to in‐house or co‐located projects, however, such globally distributed projects feature far greater complexity. In addition to language barriers, factors such as cultural differences, time zone variance, distinct methods and practices, as well as unique equipment and infrastructure can all lead to problems that negatively impact knowledge transfer, and as a result, a project's overall success. In order to help minimise such risks to knowledge transfer, we conducted a research study based on expert interviews in six projects. Our study used German clients and focused on offshore outsourcing software development projects. We first identified known problems in knowledge transfer that can occur with offshore outsourcing projects. Then we collected best‐practice solutions proven to overcome the types of problems described. Afterward, we conducted a follow‐up study to evaluate our findings. In this subsequent stage, we presented our findings to a different group of experts in five projects and asked them to evaluate these solutions and recommendations in terms of our original goal, namely to find ways to minimise knowledge‐transfer problems in offshore outsourcing software development projects. Thus, the result of our study is a catalog of evaluated solutions and associated recommendations mapped to the identified problem areas.     

Asynchronous datapaths and the design of an asynchronous adder

This article presents a general method for designing delay-insensitive datapath circuits. Its emphasis is on the formal derivation of a circuit from its specification. We discuss the properties required in a code that is used to transmit data asynchronously, and we introduce such a code. We introduce a general method (in the form of a theorem) for distributing the evaluation of a function over a number of concurrent cells. This method requires that the code be distributive. We apply the method to the familiar example of a ripple-carry adder, and we give a CMOS implementation of the adder.     

The evaluation of emotional experience on webpages: an event-related potential study

Cognition, Technology & Work - Different webpage appearances may induce different emotional experiences of users. What may happen in users’ brain from when they see the webpage to when...     

Virtual team awareness and groupware support: an evaluation of the TeamSCOPE system

This paper overviews a Web-based collaborative system called TeamSCOPE that has been designed to support awareness needs of globally distributed teams. Four types of awareness needs of virtual teams are defined and the awareness support features of TeamSCOPE are described. The usage patterns of eight globally distributed engineering design teams are outlined, and evaluation results are provided. Findings illustrate how group process interacts with technology to create design challenges in the support of virtual team awareness needs.     

Back to thinking mode: diaries for the management of information systems development projects

From a practical point of view, systems development methods are important sources of inspiration for the planning and establishment projects, but only to a limited extent do they support the reflections and actions of the participants. We propose the use of diaries as a supplement to conventional methods of reflection on what actually happens and what could happen during the course of a project, i.e., we propose diaries as a medium for the management of information systems development projects. This idea is based on an exploratory study carried out in co-operation with a bank and a research department, and the idea is supported by theoretical arguments from different fields. In conclusion, some practical advice on how to use diaries is given together with some questions for further investigation.     

Usability beyond the website: an empirically-grounded e-commerce evaluation instrument for the total customer experience

A customer's experience with an e-commerce environment extends beyond the interaction with the website, including delivery of products, post-sales support, consumption of products and services, and so on. It is the total customer experience that influences the customers' perceptions of value and service quality, and which consequently affects customer loyalty. In our cross-disciplinary research in human-computer interaction (HCI) and relationship marketing, we have been investigating how HCI and customer relationship management (CRM) strategies can be integrated in the design of e-commerce so as to engender customer retention, trust and loyalty. We have performed a series of empirical studies to understand customers' requirements and perceptions about service-quality from e-shopping and e-travel environments. From these studies, we have developed an empirically-grounded evaluation instrument, E-SEQUAL, which we discuss in this paper. The development team can apply it at different phases of an e-commerce development life-cycle to integrate customers' perceived dimensions of service quality into the design and evaluation of e-commerce.     

Empirical evaluation of the effects of experience on code quality and programmer productivity: an exploratory study

Context

There is a widespread belief in both SE and other branches of science that experience helps professionals to improve their performance. However, cases have been reported where experience not only does not have a positive influence but sometimes even degrades the performance of professionals.

Aim

Determine whether years of experience influence programmer performance.

Method

We have analysed 10 quasi-experiments executed both in academia with graduate and postgraduate students and in industry with professionals. The experimental task was to apply ITLD on two experimental problems and then measure external code quality and programmer productivity.

Results

Programming experience gained in industry does not appear to have any effect whatsoever on quality and productivity. Overall programming experience gained in academia does tend to have a positive influence on programmer performance. These two findings may be related to the fact that, as opposed to deliberate practice, routine practice does not appear to lead to improved performance. Experience in the use of productivity tools, such as testing frameworks and IDE also has positive effects.

Conclusion

Years of experience are a poor predictor of programmer performance. Academic background and specialized knowledge of task-related aspects appear to be rather good predictors.

     

Changing drivers' minds: the evaluation of an advanced driver coaching system

This paper reports on the study of an advanced driver coaching system. The study distinguishes between different types of post-licensure programmes in order to explore a system based on a model of identifying and responding to hazards, called 'information, position, speed, gear and acceleration' (IPSGA). Previous literature has been sceptical about the benefits of advanced driver education; thus, the current study was designed to control for the effects of coaching drivers in the 'IPSGA' system (the treatment group) against the effects of being accompanied (control group 1), as well as the mere effects of time (control group 2). Measures were taken before the driver coaching began (as a baseline measure) and again after 8 weeks (to see if any changes had occurred). These measures included driver knowledge via a post-drive interview, observations of driving skill and driver attitude using a locus of control scale. The results suggest that advanced driver coaching using the IPSGA system had a beneficial effect on all of these measures. Drivers in the coaching condition improved their situation awareness, driving skills and reduced attributions of external locus of control. The study lends support to the case for one-to-one individualized driver coaching using a systematic model of driving.     

团队自主项目教学模式在影视动画制作课程中的应用

研究了适合于影视动画制作课程的教学模式——团队自主项目教学模式。基于教学经验,提出了一套高效且可行的教学方案。从教学的总体思路、项目的选择、项目化教学的实施,以及教学成果的验收方法等方面对项目化教学模式进行了较详细的阐述。     

The evaluation of an intelligent tutoring system

Abstract

Numerous intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) have been developed to date. However, one aspect of their development which is consistently ignored, judging from the literature, is the crucial activity of evaluation. It is also ironical that researchers generally agree that the benefits of this activity could be far-reaching. ITSs are often described to some degree of detail but an appraisal as to their (potential) usefulness is seldom given. The relative novelty of doing this was the main motivation for this paper, which starts by attempting to shed some light on why evaluation has become such a taboo activity, not only in intelligent tutoring, but in artificial intelligence (AI) research in general. It then overviews a tutor, the fractions intelligent tutoring system (FITS), and reports on how it was appraised. The approaches used are neither ideal nor generally accepted, but may well provide an adequate starting point in the belief that an attempt at an honest evaluation of any sort is better than no evaluation at all.     

An organizational approach to designing an intelligent knowledge-based system: Application to the decision-making process in design projects

Knowledge-based engineering (KBE) approaches are designed to reduce the time and cost of product development by capturing, retaining and re-using design knowledge. They currently focus on repetitive design tasks where knowledge is considered as a static resource. However, knowledge is intrinsically linked to the organizations and people who use it. Thus, to be efficient, these knowledge-based systems (KBS) have to be able to take into account all the mechanisms of knowledge creation, sharing and evaluation made by the users. Using the agent paradigm, new knowledge-based systems can be designed in order to address this research issue. Indeed, the agents have social abilities and are able to achieve very complex tasks. These two features are necessary for making a knowledge-based system efficient. However, there still exists today a lack of approaches and methodologies to help design such applications. This paper presents DOCK, a methodology to design an intelligent knowledge-based system that aims to support the knowledge management process. In order to take into account all the mechanisms of knowledge generation, sharing and re-use, DOCK is based on the hypothesis that efficient modelling of human organizations, by highlighting their roles, collaborations, skills, goals and knowledge, will help the KBS designer to specify an adapted knowledge-based system. Finally, DOCK is implemented to design the SMA SNOTRA that is dedicated to supporting a decision-making process for design projects.     

Design and evaluation of an ambient assisted living system based on an argumentative multi-agent system

This paper focuses on ambient assisted living systems employed to monitor the ongoing situations of elderly people living independently. Such situations are represented here as contexts inferred by multiple software agents out of the data gathered from sensors within a home. Sensors can give an incomplete, sometimes ambiguous, picture of the world; hence, they often lead to inconsistent contexts and unreliability on the system as a whole. We report on a solution to this problem based on a multi-agent system where each agent is able to support its understanding of the context through arguments. These arguments can then be compared against each other to determine which agent provides the most reliable interpretation of the reality under observation.     

A method for the evaluation of risk in IT projects

Information technology projects are particularly prone to failure due to their specific characteristics, making risk management become one of the critical elements in IT projects management. That is why several authors have developed risk evaluation methods, some of them based on fuzzy logic. This article proposes a new risk assessment method based in a combination of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy inference system (FIS). FIS is used for the integration of the groups of risk factors. These risk factors are the evaluation criteria of a modified FAHP which minimizes the disadvantages of the classic implementation of FAHP in order to obtain a more intuitive and easily adjustable model for multicriteria decision analysis with a lower computational need. The proposed model takes into consideration the different levels of uncertainty, the interrelationship among groups of risk factors, and the possibility of adding or suppressing options without losing the consistency with previous evaluations. The new method is especially suitable for the evaluation of development projects in the area of IT in which multiple interrelated risk factors can be particularly uncertain and imprecise. To implement the evaluation method, a hierarchy of risk factors was implemented. A numerical example is presented with data from three actual cases of IT projects, showing the applicability of the new method, the suitability of the selected taxonomy, and the significance of a few risk factors. Several future lines of work are proposed.     

Developing an integrated model for the evaluation and selection of six sigma projects based on ANFIS and fuzzy goal programming

Six sigma is one of the most popular tools to eliminate waste in organizations, reduce the cost and improve quality. The process of creating and evaluating projects is an initial activity in implementing six sigma. This paper aims at proposing a comprehensive methodology for the evaluation and selection of the six sigma projects. For the evaluation of projects, reviewing the literature and decision team’s opinion, we identified three main categories of criteria including business criteria, technological & process criteria and financial criteria which contain eight sub-criteria. For deriving the overall utility of projects, we designed an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system which is capable to consider interrelations among criteria. Then, applying a fuzzy weighted additive goal programming model, we obtained the optimal portfolio of projects which should be implemented. Finally, we applied the proposed model in a leading company in Iran to illustrate the applicability of the model.