Designing Representative Model Worlds to Study Socio-Technical Phenomena: A Case Study of Communication Patterns in Engineering Systems Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish M. Chaudhari ◽  
Erica L. Gralla ◽  
Zoe Szajnfarber ◽  
Paul T. Grogan ◽  
Jitesh H. Panchal
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Real World ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Communication Patterns ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Representative Model ◽  
Model World

Abstract The engineering of complex systems, such as aircraft and spacecraft, involves large number of individuals within multiple organizations spanning multiple years. Since it is challenging to perform empirical studies directly on real organizations at scale, some researchers in systems engineering and design have begun relying on abstracted model worlds that aim to be representative of the reference socio-technical system, but only preserve some aspects of it. However, there is a lack of corresponding knowledge on how to design representative model worlds for socio-technical research. Our objective is to create such knowledge through a reflective case study of the development of a model world. This “inner” study examines how two factors influence interdisciplinary communication during a concurrent design process. The reference real world system is a mission design laboratory (MDL) at NASA, and the model world is a simplified engine design problem in an undergraduate classroom environment. Our analysis focuses on the thought process followed, the key model world design decisions made, and a critical assessment of the extent to which communication phenomena in the model world (engine experiment) are representative of the real world (NASA’s MDL). We find that the engine experiment preserves some but not all of the communication patterns of interest, and we present case-specific lessons learned for achieving and increasing representativeness in this type of study. More generally, we find that representativeness depends not on matching subjects, tasks, and context separately, but rather on the behavior that emerges from the interplay of these three dimensions.

Unlocking the value of HR to drive a change-ready culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Campbell Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Organization ◽  
The Real ◽  
Personal Experiences

Purpose This paper aims to present a case study focused on developing a change-ready culture within a large organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on personal experiences gleaned while driving an organization-wide culture change program throughout a major financial advisory firm. Findings This paper details over a dozen key lessons learned while transforming the HR department from a fragmented, ineffective, reclusive and disrespected department into one that was competent, knowledgeable, enabling and a leader of change. Originality/value Drawing on the real-world culture change intervention detailed here, including results and lessons learned, other organizations can apply similar approaches in their own organizations – hopefully to similar effect.

Requirements Management for Data Driven Requisitions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan James McLachlan ◽  
Changlih Ee ◽  
Jeroen Veen ◽  
Fabien Cochet ◽  
Daniele Tomassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Task Force ◽  
International Association ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Requirements Management ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
Equipment Supplier

Objectives/Scope Systems engineering techniques, particularly requirements management, are critical to realizing the value of digital transformation to improve capital project delivery. Drawing on the results of a case study, this paper will demonstrate the value of using digital requirements management to exchange information through a project lifecycle, specifically showing benefits in the integrity of data transfer; more efficient procurement lifecycle; more robust deviation management; and bidirectional traceability of requirements, including full visibility and end to end verification and validation. Methods, Procedures, Process A requirement is a capability to which a project outcome (product or service) should conform, and the purpose of requirements management is to ensure that an organization documents, verifies and validates these capabilities. In this case study the operator provides their technical specifications in the form of requirements. These requirements are then imported into the EPC's PLM platform, where they are supplemented with additional information from the EPC's engineers to create a requirements-based requisition package. This is then transmitted to the equipment supplier, where it is reviewed and, for the purposes of the case study, reviewed for completeness. To test the ability to identify changes and deviations, the EPC engineer modified the requirements and the file was transferred to both the operator and equipment supplier to ensure the changes were transferred and were identifiable. The case study also demonstrates how verification activities (testing, commissioning, etc.) can be linked to requirements; passed through the supply chain and be modified to capture changes to the status of the activity (such as test results). Results, Observations, Conclusions The case studies described show how requirements can be exchanged between operator, EPC and equipment supplier without any loss of data. It will also show how this approach allows a data driven approach, as opposed to a document driven approach, to be deployed in the requisitioning process, which could facilitate substantial reduction in the procurement lifecycle. This is achieved by removing extraneous information exchanged between the companies; the removal of swivel chair solutions, where data is extracted from one system and transferred to another; and expediting the bid evaluation stage. Finally, the case study will demonstrate how this approach could be extended beyond the purchase order to provide a direct link between specific requirements and testing (FATs) or commissioning activities, which facilitates a more efficient process for verification as well as ensuring a digital record of the entire lifecycle of a package. The case study highlighted the importance of aligning data model and developing workflows, these findings are captured in the lessons learned section and have been shared with the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) Requirements Digitalization Task Force (RDTF). Novel/Additive Information The paper will also include a vision of requirements models can be used to establish a holistic requirements model of a project, including the interdependencies of different system components. The case study will also demonstrate how the adoption of a common data standard for requirements allows a software agnostic solution that can be adopted by all.

scholarly journals Internet of Things for Smart Spaces: A University Campus Case Study

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3716
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Gilman ◽  
Satu Tamminen ◽  
Rumana Yasmin ◽  
Eemeli Ristimella ◽  
Ella Peltonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Real World ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Smart Space ◽  
Smart Spaces

Advances in technology and data analysis provide rich opportunities for developing intelligent environments assisting their inhabitants, so-called smart environments or smart spaces. Enhanced with technology, sensors, user interfaces, and various applications, such smart spaces are capable of recognizing users and situations they are in, react accordingly, e.g., by providing certain services or changes to the environment itself. Therefore, smart space solutions are gradually coming to different application domains, each with corresponding specific characteristics. In this article, we discuss our experiences and explore the challenges of a long-term real-world Internet of Things (IoT) deployment at a University campus. We demonstrate the technical implementation and data quality issues. We conduct several studies, from data analysis to interaction with space, utilizing the developed infrastructure, and we also share our actions to open the data for education purposes and discuss their outcomes. With this article, we aim to share our experience and provide real-world lessons learned when building an open, multipurpose, publicly used smart space at a University campus.

Large-Scale Research via App Stores

2015 ◽  
pp. 269-292
Author(s):  
Matthias Kranz ◽  
Andreas Möller ◽  
Florian Michahelles
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Human Computer Interaction ◽  
Real World ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Collection Methods

Large-scale research has gained momentum in the context of Mobile Human-Computer Interaction (Mobile HCI), as many aspects of mobile app usage can only be evaluated in the real world. In this chapter, we present findings on the challenges of research in the large via app stores, in conjunction with selected data collection methods (logging, self-reporting) we identified and have proven as useful in our research. As a case study, we investigated the adoption of NFC technology, based on a gamification approach. We therefore describe the development of the game NFC Heroes involving two release cycles. We conclude with lessons learned and provide recommendations for conducting research in the large for mobile applications.

scholarly journals Energy Monitoring in the Wild: Platform Development and Lessons Learned from a Real-World Demonstrator

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5786
Author(s):  
Filipe Quintal ◽  
Daniel Garigali ◽  
Dino Vasconcelos ◽  
Jonathan Cavaleiro ◽  
Wilson Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Platform Development ◽  
A Site

This paper presents the development and evaluation of EnnerSpectrum, a platform for electricity monitoring. The development was motivated by a gap between academic, fully custom-made monitoring solutions and commercial proprietary monitoring approaches. EnnerSpectrum is composed of two main entities, the back end, and the Gateway. The back end is a server comprised of flexible entities that can be configured to different monitoring scenarios. The Gateway interacts with equipment at a site that cannot interact directly with the back end. The paper presents the architecture and configuration of EnnerSpectrum for a long-term case study with 13 prosumers of electricity for approximately 36 months. During this period, the proposed system was able to adapt to several building and monitoring conditions while acquiring 95% of all the available consumption data. To finalize, the paper presents a set of lessons learned from running such a long-term study in the real world.

scholarly journals Mobile Computing is not Always Advantageous: Lessons Learned from a Real-World Case Study in a Hospital

2014 ◽  
pp. 110-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Holzinger ◽  
Bettina Sommerauer ◽  
Peter Spitzer ◽  
Simon Juric ◽  
Borut Zalik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Computing ◽  
Real World ◽  
Lessons Learned

Systems Design Issues in Planning and Implementation

2011 ◽  
pp. 526-534
Author(s):  
Mahesh S. Raisinghani
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Information Systems Development ◽  
Development Organization ◽  
Network Problems ◽  
Delayed Initiation ◽  
Development And Management

Telecommunications Company (TC) [company identity is concealed] produced a sales management application through internal and contract resources. This application, Schedule Graph (SG) System, was designed to automate the sales schedule process that had previously been a paper and pencil process. The system was designed and implemented in a matter of months to reduce cost and deliver an application that was long overdue. The project had been proposed for years, but funding issues had routinely delayed initiation. The sales development organization worked on the design and development for this application for approximately six months. The application was released with numerous software, hardware and network problems. The effects on the customer community, the information systems department and other stakeholders were sharp and far reaching. This case study investigates the lessons learned with this application and the implications for theory and practice. It can be instrumental to information systems managers, academicians and students to learn from the success and pitfalls of other organizations related to information systems development and management.

scholarly journals Integrating Interdisciplinary Thinking and Practice: a Case Study of a Victorian University in Australia

10.29007/45tx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Iyer-Raniga
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Real World ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Knowledge ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
The University ◽  
Interdisciplinary Thinking

The value of interdisciplinary approaches to curriculum have been considered successful along multiple fronts; including reducing administrative burden from inter departmental collaboration, providing “intellectual” solutions to problems and breaking academic discipline boundaries. Criticism from industry often focuses on educators not preparing graduates for work in the real world. A major reason underpinning this criticism is that the students are not exposed to the requisite skills to make them work- ready. Despite the pressures to include interdisciplinary approaches from an ethical perspective, putting it into practice is difficult. This paper presents the findings of involving students from three different schools from a Victorian university in Australia: built environment, business and computer science. The project was developed as part of a state government competitive fund where industry, staff and students worked together to support each other and realize mutual benefits. The aim of the study was to develop an approach involving students in a theory-practice model of a real world project by selecting a building within the university as a case study to arm students with real world knowledge focusing on sustainability outcomes. The objective was to assist in preparing students from different disciplines for better workplace experiences, where they can bring in interdisciplinary thinking and practice into their day-day operations. The outcomes for the university, in using this building as a living laboratory, was to capture lessons learned through the process of improving future building developments from a sustainability perspective. Student involvement was successful, but true interdisciplinary engagement was not achieved.

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