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Nilsson, Maria. "Capturing semi-automated decision making : the methodology of CASADEMA." Doctoral thesis, Örebro universitet, Akademin för naturvetenskap och teknik, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-12559.
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This thesis presents a new methodology named CASADEMA (CApturing Semi-Automated DEcision MAking) which captures the interaction between humans and the technology they use to support their decision-making within the domain of Information Fusion. We are particularly interested in characterising the interaction between human decision makers and artefacts in semi-automated fusion processes. In our investigation we found that the existing approaches are limited in their ability to capture such interactions in sufficient detail. The presented method is built upon a distributed-cognition perspective. The use of this particular theoretical framework from cognitive science enables the method to take into account not only the role of the data captured in the physical and digital artefacts of the fusion system (e.g., radar readings, information from a fax or database, a piece of paper, etc.), but also the cognitive support function of the artefacts themselves (e.g., as an external memory) as part of the fusion process. That is, the interdependencies between the fusion process and decision-making can be captured. This thesis thus contributes to two main fields. Firstly, it enables, through CASADEMA, a distributed-cognition perspective of fusion processes in the, otherwise, rather technology-oriented field of Information Fusion. This has important conceptual implications, since it views fusion processes as extending beyond the boundary of physical/computer systems, to include humans, technology, and tools, as well as the interactions between them. It is argued that a better understanding of these interactions can lead to a better design of fusion processes, making CASADEMA an important contribution to the information fusion field. Secondly, the thesis provides, again in the form of CASADEMA, a practical application of the distributed-cognition theoretical framework. Importantly, the notations and definitions introduced in CASADEMA structure the otherwise currently rather loosely defined concepts and approaches in distributed cognition research. Hence, the work presented here also contributes to the fields of cognitive science and human-computer interaction.<br><p>Examining Committee: Henrik Artman, Docent (Kungliga tekniska högskolan), Nils Dahlbäck, Professor (Linköpings universitet), Anna-Lisa Osvalder, Professor (Chalmers tekniska högskola)</p>
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Sanchez, Perez Carlos Eduardo. "Decision Making Methodology for the Selection of Gas-liquid Separators." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for energi- og prosessteknikk, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-19074.
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Gas liquid separation is a critical operation in many industries, including the gas and oil industry. In fact, costly equipment like heat exchangers and compressors rely on the good performance of gas scrubbers. In the particular case of Norway, most of these operations are offshore where the plot area is critical. On the other hand, the separation of liquid droplets from the gas stream is generally performed in bulky and heavy pressure vessels. More compact technologies are emerging though. However, it is becoming difficult to select the appropriate separator and it is required engineering experience. Therefore, the objective of this project is to develop mathematical models for selected technologies to facilitate the selection. The technologies selected were the traditional knitted mesh separator and the recent multi-cyclone scrubber. The models provide the basic dimensions, weight, purchase and installed costs for both scrubbers. The results of both models were compared and extrapolated to hypothetical situations to establish when a compact technology becomes competitive. For this comparison, gas load factor and costs per flow rate were used. In fact the vessel compactness is related to the former. Therefore, it is intended to have values much higher than 0.107 m/s corresponding to traditional separators at atmospheric pressure. In fact, a factor slightly higher than 0.14 m/s would make very competitive multi-cyclones; which can be achieved at pressures higher than 70-80 bar. Furthermore, technologies with factors up 0.5 to 1 m/s might be much more attractive. Nevertheless, there would be restrictions in achieving the maximum gas load factor expected.
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Rider, Conrad Edgar Scott. "Methodology for eliciting, encoding and simulating human decision making behaviour." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/5865.
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Agent-based models (ABM) are an increasingly important research tool for describing and predicting interactions among humans and their environment. A key challenge for such models is the ability to faithfully represent human decision making with respect to observed behaviour. This thesis aims to address this challenge by developing a methodology for empirical measurement and simulation of decision making in humanenvironment systems. The methodology employs the Beliefs-Desires-Intentions (BDI) model of human reasoning to directly translate empirically measured decision data into artificial agents, based on sound theoretical principles. A common simulated decision environment is used for both eliciting human decision making behaviour, and validating artificial agents. Using this approach facilitates the collection of decision making narratives by way of participatory simulation, and promotes a fair comparison of real and modelled decision making. The methodology is applied in two case studies: One to carry out a trial involving human subjects solving an abstract land-use problem, and another to examine the feasibility of up-scaling the methodology to a real agricultural scenario—dairy farming. Results from the experiments indicate that the BDI-based methodology achieved reasonably direct encoding of decision making behaviour from elicited human narratives. The main limitations found with the technique are: (1) the significant use of subjects’ time required to elicit their decision making behaviour; (2) the significant programming effort required; and (3) the challenge of aggregating behaviour from multiple subjects into a generalised decision making model. In spite of its limitations, BDI has shown its strengths as a tool for empirical analysis and simulation of decision making in research of human-environment systems.
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Blackwell, Paul. "A decision-making methodology for integrating information systems within SMEs." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.396995.
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Zhou, Jingyue. "A methodology for strategy development in complex business environments." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.307592.
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Briceño, Simón Ignacio. "A game-based decision support methodology for competitive systems design." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/26671.
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This dissertation describes the development of a game-based methodology that facilitates the exploration and selection of research and development (R&D) projects under uncertain competitive scenarios. The proposed method provides an approach that analyzes competitor positioning and formulates response strategies to forecast the impact of technical design choices on a project's market performance. A critical decision in the conceptual design phase of propulsion systems is the selection of the best architecture, centerline, core size, and technology portfolio. A key objective of this research is to examine how firm characteristics such as their relative differences in completing R&D projects, differences in the degree of substitutability between different project types, and first/second-mover advantages affect their product development strategies. Several quantitative methods are investigated that analyze business and engineering strategies concurrently. In particular, formulations based on the well-established mathematical field of game theory are introduced to obtain insights into the project selection problem. The use of game theory is explored in this research as a method to assist the selection process of R&D projects in the presence of imperfect market information. The proposed methodology focuses on two influential factors: the schedule uncertainty of project completion times and the uncertainty associated with competitive reactions. A normal-form matrix is created to enumerate players, their moves and payoffs, and to formulate a process by which an optimal decision can be achieved. The non-cooperative model is tested using the concept of a Nash equilibrium to identify potential strategies that are robust to uncertain market fluctuations (e.g: uncertainty in airline demand, airframe requirements and competitor positioning). A first/second-mover advantage parameter is used as a scenario dial to adjust market rewards and firms' payoffs. The methodology is applied to a commercial aircraft engine selection study where engine firms must select an optimal engine project for development. An engine modeling and simulation framework is developed to generate a broad engine project portfolio. The proposed study demonstrates that within a technical design environment, a rational and analytical means of modeling project development strategies is beneficial in high market risk situations.
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Vacharaphol, Oratai. "Extended modelling methodology to facilitate integrated decision making in manufacturing enterprises." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2013. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/12521.
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This research has highlighted the importance of the multiple roles in design and change organizations and the benefits to have quantitative tools and qualitative tools to support decision making. Hence the aims and objectives of this research are a model driven approach to support integrated decision making in MEs. The author has identified a gap in the lack of a systematic way to model MEs to facilitate integrated decision making. Initial Modelling Methodology (IMM) has been established based on Manufacturing System Integration (MSI) group at Loughborough University so that improvement of this methodology can be investigated to facilitate integrated decision making. Artwork is an industrial furniture manufacturer based in Loughborough and is used as the company case study of this research. IMM has been tested in exploratory research case 1 at a low level of production at Artwork. The experimentations of case 1 have been carried out to study the impact of product volume and variety on specific process section at low level. The result has shown that IMM lacks the ability to facilitate integrated decision making aspect and it can be developed to achieve aims and objectives. This leads to additional concepts of (1) modelling at different level of abstraction to realise the benefit of multiple levels of modelling, (2) deploying the improved views of W, P and R sub-systems to assist in exercising simulation modelling and (3) identifying possible users in planning with scope and focus of decision making. These three concepts were added into IMM and known as Extended Modelling Methodology (EMM). The EMM has been tested in exploratory research case 2 at a mid-level of production system at Artfrom with four types of experimentations: 1) balancing resources of production system, 2) demand change, 3) rework impact and 4) delay impact. The evaluation of results has shown a systematic way of the EMM to facilitate decision making individually and collectively. Therefore the overall research contributions are a new model driven approach to support conceptual design and change of manufacturing systems in aspect of integrated decision making. However, limitations of this research can be addressed as limited availability of data, range and detail of case studies and limited range of modelling techniques explored here. It follows that scopes of future works are utilization of EMM in other domains, consideration of other reference models, investigation of EMM in other company case studies and establishment of a comprehensive database applied in EMM and development of coherent simulation models. In addition, this thesis has also presented ongoing research on developing and testing EMM in another company case study in aircraft engine manufacturer.
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Strauss, Richard. "A methodology for measuring the judgemental components of situtation awareness." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24153.
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Hall, Martin Lewis Walter. "Systems thinking and human values : towards a practical organisational intervention methodology." Thesis, University of Lincoln, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.387702.
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Jaime, Esqueda Manuel Eduardo 1970. "Product line streamlining : a methodology to guide product costing and decision-making." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/9886.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1998.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaf 64).<br>by Manuel Eduardo Jamie Esqueda.<br>M.B.A.<br>S.M.
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Zio, Enrico. "A methodology for interactive decision making in environmental management involving multiple stakeholders." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/9617.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1998.<br>"September 1997." Vita.<br>Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-132).<br>A methodology for evaluating environmental management programs using integrated risk communication, assessment and management tools is developed. The main novelty of the methodology lies in the use of decision analysis methods to integrate the wide range of decision objectives which characterize environmental management problems, and risk assessment for impact evaluations under uncertainty, in a framework that emphasizes and incorporates input from stakeholders in all aspects of the process. The outcomes of the analysis are then used to guide the behavioural deliberative process that is engaged to reach a consensual, defensible decision. The first step of the methodology is that of identifying all consequences relevant to the implementation of the decision, i.e. the performance measures. These are identified through a decomposition process based on the use of conditional influence diagrams which allow to incorporate and structure the quantitative a1.1d qualitative issues of the decision problem. Aggregation of the evaluations of the performance measures is done by means of an additive utility function in which single-attribute utilities for the various performance measures are weighed by appropriate measures of their relative importance. The weights of the performance measures are assessed by the pairwise comparison method of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) applied to the hierarchical structure of the influence diagram. For the determination of the single-attribute utilities we employ a novel approach based on the AHP in which the comparisons are made not on the actual numerical values of the performance measures but, rather, on more intuitive concepts such as 'worst', 'moderate' and 'best'. Within this approach, the innovative introduction of elements of fuzzy logic allows us to account for linguistic imprecision in the expression of the stakeholders' preferences ...<br>by Enrico Zio.<br>Ph.D.
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Briceñ̃o, Simón Ignacio. "A game-based decision support methodology for competitive systems design." Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/26671.
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Thesis (Ph.D)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.<br>Committee Chair: Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Hollingsworth, Peter; Committee Member: Kavadias, Stylianos; Committee Member: Schrage, Daniel; Committee Member: Volovoi, Vitali. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.
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Salmon, John LaNay. "A methodology for quantitative and cooperative decision making of air mobility operational solutions." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/49039.
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Many complex and interdependent systems engineering challenges involve more than one stakeholder or decision maker. These challenges, such as the definition and acquisition of future air mobility systems, are often found in situations where resources are finite, objectives are conflicting, constraints are restricting, and uncertainty in future outcomes prevail. Air mobility operational models which simulate fleet wide behavior effects over time, in various mission scenarios, and potentially over the entire design life-cycle, are always multi-dimensional, cover a large decision space, and require significant time to generate sufficient solutions to adequately describe the design space. This challenge is coupled with the fact that, in these highly integrated solutions or acquisitions, multiple stakeholders or decision makers are required to cooperate and reach agreement in selecting or defining the requirements for the design or solution and in its costly and lengthy implementation. However, since values, attitudes, and experiences are different for each decision maker, reaching consensus across the multiple criteria with different preferences and objectives is often a slow and highly convoluted process. In response to these common deficiencies and to provide quantitative analyses, this research investigates and proposes solutions to two challenges: 1) increase the speed at which operational solutions and associated requirements are generated and explored, and 2) systematize the group decision-making process, to both accelerate and improve decision making in these large operational problems requiring cooperation. The development of the Air Mobility Operations Design (AirMOD) model is proposed to address the first challenge by implementing and leveraging surrogate models of airlift capability across a wide scenario space. In addressing the second major challenge, the proposed Multi-Agent Consensus Reaching on the Objective Space (MACRO) methodology introduces a process to reduce the feasible decision space, by identifying regions of high probability of consensus reaching, using preference distributions, power relationships, and game-theoretic techniques. In a case study, the MACRO methodology is demonstrated on a large air mobility solution space generated by AirMOD to illustrate plausibility of the overall approach. AirMOD and MACRO offer considerable advantages over current methods to better define the operational design space and improve group decision-making processes requiring cooperation, respectively.
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Karpe, Yatin Surendra. "Weave-Room Performance Decision-Making Process in Textiles: Mapping An Information Engineering Methodology." NCSU, 2006. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-08312006-095818/.
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The purpose of this research is to understand, define and map the weave-room performance decision-making process, and to develop an Information Engineering methodology for studying and analyzing decision-making processes in textile manufacturing departments. A preliminary Decision Cycle Model was developed using knowledge management principles, resulting in a definition of Information Engineering, which was ?a technique for extracting the meaning contained in the information so as to allow the understanding needed by the user to make an informed decision?. A case study approach, in conjunction with a process-modeling tool called IDEF0, belonging to the IDEF (Integrated Definition language) family of modeling techniques, has been used. Case studies were conducted at three weaving plants, resulting in the development of the three AS-IS models. These case studies provided the framework to compare with, and become the underlying basis for, the proposed Best Practices TO-BE model of the weave-room performance decision-making process. Additionally, both the AS-IS and TO-BE models lead to the development of ten key performance-improving tasks that could potentially assist in enhancing the decision process as well as providing the background for analyzing the usability of IDEF0 as an effective process-mapping tool, by means of a SWOT analysis. Finally, a generic Information Engineering methodology was developed that could be used for mapping manufacturing-related decisions. The research deliverables resulting from the Information Engineering methodology would eventually lead to the development and creation of a kind of Digital Decision Dashboard (D3), which could potentially prove to be a valuable tool for decision-making in textiles, thus addressing a critical need presently facing the textile industry.
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Grobbelaar, Frederik Russouw. "A methodology to aid in appropriate forest technology decision-making for developing countries." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51577.
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Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grobbelaar, F.R. 2000. A methodology to aid in appropriate technology decision-making
for developing countries. M.Sc thesis. University of Stellenbosch.
In the process of selecting what we believe to be suitable technology for timber
harvesting and transport, economics are usually the determining factor, whether in the
form of capital investment or personnel cost.
Internationally we see a move towards mechanisation in forestry for various reasons:
e.g., high wages, labour shortage, and occupational safety. The realities of South Africa
highlights other issues requiring attention: e.g., high unemployment, skills' shortage,
global competition, rampant AIDS pandemic, and a poor safety and security record.
This should focus our attention on finding local solutions to the problem of finding
suitable or appropriate technology to support South Africa's quest for sustainable
development.
This thesis attempts to establish a methodology for the objective evaluation of
alternative technologies for a specific timber harvesting situation, considering the
economic, social and environmental implications.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grobbelaar, F.R. 2000. A methodology to aid in appropriate technology decisionmaking
for developing countries. M.Sc tesis. Universiteit van Stellenbosch.
Tydens die keuse van sogenaamde toepaslike tegnologie vir houtinoesting en -vervoer
is ekonomie meestal die deurslaggewende faktor, hetsy verteenwoordig deur kapitaal
belegging of personeelkoste.
Internasionaal is daar tans In neiging na meganisasie in bosbou vir In verskeidenheid
redes: bv., hoë arbeidskoste, arbeidtekort, en beroepsveiligheid. Die werklikhede van
Suid-Afrika beklemtoon egter ander sake wat daadwerklike optrede vereis: nl., hoë
werkloosheid, gebrek aan vaardighede, internasionale mededinging, ernstige VIGS
pandemie, en In swak veiligheid-en sekuriteit rekord. Dit behoort ons aandag te fokus
op die vind van plaaslike oplossings tot die probleem met die keuse van geskikte of
toepaslike tegnologie ter bevordering van Suid Afrika se strewe na volhoubare
ontwikkeling.
Hierdie tesis poog om In metodiek te ontwikkel vir die objektiewe beoordeling van
alternatiewe tegnologieë vir houtinoesting binne bepaalde omstandighede, met
inagneming van ekonomiese, sosiale en omgewings implikasies.
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Won, Henry Thome. "A system-of-systems modeling methodology for strategic general aviation design decision-making." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/26469.
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Thesis (Ph.D)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.<br>Committee Chair: Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Gallman, John; Committee Member: Lewe, Jung-Ho; Committee Member: Schrage, Daniel; Committee Member: Upton, Eric. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.
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Koop, Gregory James. "Beyond process tracing: The response dynamics of preferential choice." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1342725429.
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Singhal, Amod. "An evaluation methodology to ensure the success of decision support tools." Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/101149.
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Motivated by the need for an evaluation technique to help decision makers ensure the success of their computer-based decision support tools, this research explores the evaluation of decision aids from a broad organizational and managerial perspective. A review of current research identifies the need for theoretical and practical developments emphasizing: (1) evaluation techniques which can work with partial knowledge about the effect of a decision support tool on management processes, (2) a systematic way to prescribe evaluation techniques for different assessment situations, (3) evaluation techniques which provide a way to transition from one assessment situation to another, and (4) evaluation techniques which recognize that the performance of one decision support tool may depend on other decision aids used by the manager. This study complements existing theoretical research by developing seven conceptual models which identify essential evaluation parameters and their relationships. The first model explores parameters affecting the decision to evaluate. The second and third models examine the role of evaluation in ensuring success. The fourth and fifth models analyze how conclusions about success are made. The sixth model identifies components of an evaluation technique. Finally, the seventh model presents a framework for prescribing evaluation approaches. Using the seven conceptual models and previous research as its theoretical foundation, Evalu-Action, a step-by-step practical technique to ensure the success of computer-based decision support tools is developed. The technique is pilot tested and improved. Recommendations for further work are presented.<br>M.S.
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Pu, Hsin-Hui. "A methodology for exploring tourists' choice of holiday destinations : the case of English seaside resorts." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2000. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/667/.
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Turner, Kyle Hugh. "Commanding officer's standing orders a powerful and unique genre." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 2006. http://library.nps.navy.mil/uhtbin/hyperion/06Jun%5FTurner.pdf.
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Romli, Fairuz Izzuddin. "A strategic planning methodology for aircraft redesign." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/28130.
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Thesis (M. S.)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.<br>Committee Chair: Prof. Dimitri Mavris; Committee Member: Dr. Elena Garcia; Committee Member: Dr. Neil Weston; Committee Member: Mathias Emeneth; Committee Member: Prof. Daniel P. Schrage.
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Tsagdis, Angelis. "The use of the Analytical Hierarchy Process as a source selection methodology and its potential application within the Hellenic Air Force." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Naval Postgraduate School, 2008. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA483574.
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Thesis (M.B.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2008.<br>Thesis Advisor(s): Cuskey, Jeffrey. "June 2008." Description based on title screen as viewed on September 2, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-80). Also available in print.
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Casciano, Martina. "Developing a ranking methodology for chemical industrial clusters: a multi-criteria decision making approach." Master's thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2019.
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The clustering process in the chemical industries is becoming more important due to economic, social and political issues. Clustering means agglomeration of companies in the same geographical area in order to increase the productivity and reduce costs. The birth of agreements between companies allows to arouse their interest in other disciplines different from the socio-economic aspect, as safety and security, to name but few.
The first step of the methodology is represented by the safety and security risk assessment, followed by the analysis of the relationships within firms in terms of strategic and operation alliances. In the present study, safety risk should be interpreted as an average dangerousness and, at the same time, security risk as average vulnerability of installations in the cluster’s area. Risk, for this evaluation, will not be a function of frequency and magnitude and it will represent an inclination to damage, the potential of chemical cluster to incur in accident(s)/incident(s).
The strong influence of the results obtained before can be analysed with the analytic network process that, with pairwise comparisons, is able to assess which parameters have a major influence among the others. In this tool, comparisons within more than one chemical cluster can be taken into account. The final outcome of this methodology is a ranking of chemical clusters, a classification depending on a large number of criteria covering many aspects of safety and security, but as well considering the existing management and relationship within companies. A simple case study has been built in order to investigate, inside the model of the ANP, benefits, costs and risks associated with the selected chemical clusters.
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Tosun, Mustafa G. "A methodology for multidisciplinary decision making for a surface combatant main engine selection problem." Thesis, Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/42742.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited<br>In the ship design process, delivering optimum performance while reducing development and construction costs are key considerations. A great amount of optimization effort should be done before progressing on a project. When it comes to the main engine selection phase that corresponds to the heart of the ship, the ultimate choice will affect the overall platform. However, the problem of main engine selection is, as is the overall ship design problem in general, basically a multidisciplinary and multicriterion optimization problem. In this project, we will focus on the multicriterion decision- making methodology for a surface combatant main engine selection problem. This study will consist of a collection of systematic approaches to the overall design optimization. The factors that need to be taken into consideration while selecting a main engine for a surface combatant will be discussed. We propose to develop and examine a mathematical model to analyze the main engine selection problem. The mathematical model will be comprehensively formulated, including both quantitative criteria as well as fuzzy systems, to establish an algorithm that will be able to create a unique solution or a set of Pareto solutions to the main engine selection problem.
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Yaakob, Abdul Malek Bin. "Multi criteria decision making methodology for fuzzy rule based systems and networks using TOPSIS." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2017. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/multi-criteria-decision-making-methodology-for-fuzzy-rule-based-systems-and-networks-using-topsis(8efb475a-4f98-4d5c-846d-f01b01328dda).html.
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Fuzzy systems and networks are vital within the armoury of fuzzy tools and applicable to real life decision making environments. Three types of fuzzy systems introduced in literatures which are systems with single rule base, systems with multiple rule bases and system with networked rule bases. This research introduces novel extension of the Technique of Ordering of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods and uses fuzzy systems and networks to solve multi-criteria decision making problems where both benefit and cost are presented as subsystems. In conjunction, the implementation of fuzzy sets type-1, type-2 and Z-number of proposed approaches is also presented. Furthermore, literatures have observed that tracking the performance of criteria is crucial by controlling the estimation of uncertainty of the criteria. Thus, the decision maker evaluates the performance of each alternative and further observes the performance for both benefit and cost criteria. This research improves significantly the transparency of the TOPSIS methods while ensuring higher effectiveness in comparison to established approaches. Ensuring the practicality and the effectiveness of proposed methods in a realistic scenario, the problem of ranking traded stock is studied. This case study is conducted based on stocks traded in a developing financial market such as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. The ranking based on proposed methods is validated comparatively using performance indicators such as Spearman Rho correlation, Kendall Tau correlation, Root Mean Square Errror and Average Absolute Distance by assuming ranking based on return on investment as a benchmarking. Based on the case study, the proposed methods outperform the established TOPSIS methods in term of average rank position.
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Abu, Bakar Ahmad Syafadhli Bin. "Intuition based decision making methodology for ranking fuzzy numbers using centroid point and spread." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2015. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/intuition-based-decision-making-methodology-for-ranking-fuzzy-numbers-using-centroid-point-and-spread(1d65a416-9804-4255-a597-2ebdf71d0fc4).html.
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The concept of ranking fuzzy numbers has received significant attention from the research community due to its successful applications for decision making. It complements the decision maker exercise their subjective judgments under situations that are vague, imprecise, ambiguous and uncertain in nature. The literature on ranking fuzzy numbers show that numerous ranking methods for fuzzy numbers are established where all of them aim to correctly rank all sets of fuzzy numbers that mimic real decision situations such that the ranking results are consistent with human intuition. Nevertheless, fuzzy numbers are not easy to rank as they are represented by possibility distribution, which indicates that they possibly overlap with each other, having different shapes and being distinctive in nature. Most established ranking methods are capable to rank fuzzy numbers with correct ranking order such that the results are consistent with human intuition but there are certain circumstances where the ranking methods are particularly limited in ranking non – normal fuzzy numbers, non – overlapping fuzzy numbers and fuzzy numbers of different spreads. As overcoming these limitations is important, this study develops an intuition based decision methodology for ranking fuzzy numbers using centroid point and spread approaches. The methodology consists of ranking method for type – I fuzzy numbers, type – II fuzzy numbers and Z – numbers where all of them are theoretically and empirically validated. Theoretical validation highlights the capability of the ranking methodology to satisfy all established theoretical properties of ranking fuzzy quantities. On contrary, the empirical validation examines consistency and efficiency of the ranking methodology on ranking fuzzy numbers correctly such that the results are consistent with human intuition and can rank more than two fuzzy numbers simultaneously. Results obtained in this study justify that the ranking methodology not only fulfills all established theoretical properties but also ranks consistently and efficiently the fuzzy numbers. The ranking methodology is implemented to three related established case studies found in the literature of fuzzy sets where the methodology produces consistent and efficient results on all case studies examined. Therefore, based on evidence illustrated in this study, the ranking methodology serves as a generic decision making procedure, especially when fuzzy numbers are involved in the decision process.
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Genot, Carrie J. "A Phenomenological Study: End of Life Decision Making." Connect to full-text via OhioLINK ETD Center, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=mco1116801543.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Medical College of Ohio, 2005.<br>"In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing." Major advisor: Joanne Ehrmin. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: ii, 63 p. Title from title page of PDF document. Bibliography: pages 59-61.
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Rossin, David Alan Peter. "The development of a process trace methodology that effectively identifies the information needs of a management group." Thesis, University of Salford, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245034.
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Hay, Wilson Lesly Isabel. "A spatial environmental risk assessment methodology for risk-based decision making at large, complex facilities /." Full text (PDF) from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International, 2000. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?p3004279.
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Gross, Perry D. "A Q methodology Analysis of Individual Perspectives of Public Decision Making Influences of Collaborative Processes." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/975.
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Suboptimal public policy formulation and implementation often result from traditional representative democratic practices. Increasing government fragmentation, eroding trust among policy actors, and an increasingly complex policy making environment contribute to this problem. Collaborative decision making is considered to be a pragmatic alternative by its advocates. The purpose of this research was to explore the claim that process dynamics lead participants to prefer collaborative approaches to decision making among local and regional transportation plans in a western state. The conceptual framework was the diversity, interdependence, and authentic dialogue (DIAD) theory-based model of collaboration in decision making. The research questions focused on collaboration participants' perspectives of public decision making, variability of views among collaboration groups, and preferences for collaborative approaches to public decision making. This study employed Q methodology and a 45-statement Q sample about public decision making structured with a 2 X 3 Fisherian research design. Fifty-four Q sorts were collected from two groups of DIAD theory-based collaborative participants and one group of collaborative support professionals. Ten first-order factors were identified among these three groups and used in a second-order factor analysis to identify the higher order views of collaborative, personal-public, and professional-public decision making. Key findings were that study participants support collaborative approaches to public decision making. Study results provide collaboration facilitators with insight into participant views of decision making. The implications for social change are the generation of the deliberative capacity fundamental for democratic societies and increasing civic capacity-building.
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Highfield, Crysta Lynn. "Sustainable Pavement Construction: Developing a methodology for integrating environmental impact into the decision making process." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32604.
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Sustainability and specifically environmental stewardship are emerging as prominent issues in engineering decision-making. Despite this, the United States has neither a national policy on sustainability, nor a national sustainable transportation strategy. In many cases this has resulted in state DOTs basing their environmental practices on requirements set out previously by EPA regulations with little or no additional consideration of environmental effects.
A survey conducted as part of this thesis revealed that environmental stewardship is not considered part of current DOT pavement management engineersâ job responsibilities, despite having duties such as pavement design and maintenance which can greatly affect the environmental impact of a project. Initial cost and engineering judgment were the most widely considered in decision-making, with LCCA also being considered at least some of the time by most respondents. Environmental impacts, on the other hand, are not often integrated into formal decision making and are more likely to be considered as a â tie breakerâ when alternatives have similar costs.
The literature review also covered two distinct types of environmental decision support tools: Environmental Rating Tools and Environmental Impact Calculators. Rating Tools gather predominantly environmental impact information in order to award a score to a project. Environmental Calculators are software tools that use material or equipment inputs to estimate the amount of pollutants produced by a project. While a variety of environmental impact tools are currently available they suffer from drawbacks such as incomplete or unclearly defined LCA boundaries, consideration of only one environmental impact, subjectivity, lack of transparency, out-of-date databases, and an inability to perform probabilistic calculations. CO2e was the only environmental factor considered by nearly all Environmental Calculators reviewed as part of this thesis and was a major focus of the Rating Tools.
The thesis proposes the framework for a tool that addresses some of the limitations of available tools and aids decision-makers in incorporating environmental factors into roadway decision-making. The proposed tool would address many of the limitations of previous environmental impact calculators and could be implemented without the need for extensive additional research. The tool would calculate emissions due to material extraction and production, emissions due to construction activities, resource consumptions, and emissions due to work zone delays. Emissions due to work zone delays are not considered by any other currently available tool. The tool would also perform probabilistic calculations and have a database which could be added to and updated by users. Additional products developed as part of this thesis are a review of currently available environmental impact tools and a Microsoft Excel workbook used to demonstrate the intended usage of the tool.
It is concluded that the development of such a tool is necessary and feasible. The proposed tool would address limitations of available tools by considering more than one environmental impact, including the previously neglected impact of emissions due to work zone related delay, pairing a user-friendly interface with an editable database, and supporting probabilistic calculations. Recommended future research includes surveying state DOT engineers to determine the barriers delaying implementation of currently available environmental impacts tools. Further benefits could be realized by programming the proposed tool and building a database that reflects the materials, mixes, and construction activities available to a specific locality.<br>Master of Science
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Graham, Farrah. "Making Sense of the Access Problem: A New Methodology for Analyzing the Postsecondary Education Decision." VCU Scholars Compass, 2008. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1643.
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This study is interested in defining new variables that contribute to the explanation of whether or not an individual applies to postsecondary institutions. Prior research has explained differences based on demographic variables, such as first generation status, income and race, and differences in information and social support that an individual possesses. While these variables have a significant effect on the decision, they do not completely explain why individuals decide to pursue postsecondary education. This research suggests that how an individual moves through the decision process, as well as how information is interpreted and used will have an effect on the ultimate decision outcome. The Sense-Making model (Dervin, 2003) is adapted here to define the differences in the decision process. A telephone survey was conducted with a randomly selected sample of 448 residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia asking them to describe their decision process regarding participating in postsecondary education based on the variables comprising the Sense-Making model. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the demographics-based and Sense-Making model variables on the likelihood that an individual applies to postsecondary education. The descriptive analysis of the survey findings indicated that respondents do not rely solely on a rational, information-based decision process. The resulting model produced by the stepwise process indicated that income and familiarity with postsecondary education had the strongest effects on the likelihood of applying, which is consistent with the existing literature. As for the Sense-Making variables, the analysis provided a set of variables whose presence makes a respondent less likely to apply. Feeling a lack of control over the decision outcome, perceiving information as not supportive to the process, using social support to make the decision and noting social support and school characteristics as a barrier all decreased the likelihood of respondents applying. The findings of the descriptive and predictive analysis defined the shortcomings of information and indicate that social support, like information, may not always facilitate the decision process. Recommendations are made to create information that is more supportive and will accurately portray the work necessary to prepare for postsecondary education and to create participatory programming to address misperceptions and acceptance of information. These findings provide the basis for additional research to define how information can support the decision process.
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Li, Ji. "Essays on discrete choice under social interaction methodology and applications /." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1180499711.
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Raczynski, Christopher Michael. "A methodology for comprehensive strategic planning and program prioritization." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24622.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008.<br>Committee Chair: Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Bishop, Carlee; Committee Member: Costello, Mark; Committee Member: Kirby, Michelle; Committee Member: Schrage, Daniel
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Hart, Jeremy Jay. "Methodology for prototyping increased levels of automation for spacecraft rendezvous functions." [College Station, Tex. : Texas A&M University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-1220.
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Brown, Cynthia Chalese. "A methodology for the evaluation of training effectiveness during early phase defense acquisition." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/52203.
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Today's economic environment requires for a greater emphasis to be placed on the development of cost-effective solutions to meet military capability based requirements. The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process is designed to identify materiel and non-materiel solutions to fill defense department capability requirements and gaps. Non-materiel solutions include: Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) changes. JCIDS specifies that all non-materiel solutions be analyzed and recommendations be made accordingly following a capability-based assessment (CBA). Guidance for performing CBA analysis provides minimal information on how to predict training effectiveness and as a result training investments are not properly assessed and considered as a viable alternative. Investigations into the ability to predict versus evaluate training performance and to quantify uncertainty in training system design are two identified gaps in the capability of existing training evaluation methods. To address these issues, a Methodology to Predict and Evaluate the Effectiveness of Training (MPEET) has been developed. To address the gap in predictive capability MPEET uses primary elements of learning theory and instructional design to predict the cost-effectiveness of a training program, and recommends training alternatives based on decision-maker preferences for each of the cost and effectiveness criteria. The use of educational and instructional theory involves developing and ensuring human performance requirements will be met after training. Utility theory is used to derive an overall criterion consisting of both cost and effectiveness attributes. MPEET uses this criterion as a key variable in determining how to properly allocate resources to gain maximum training effectiveness. To address the gap in quantifying uncertainty in training performance, probability theory is used within a modeling and simulation environment to create and evaluate previously deterministic variables. Effectiveness and cost variables are assigned probability distributions that reflect the applicable range of uncertainty. MPEET is a systems engineering based decision-making tool. It enhances the instructional design process, which is rooted in the fields of education and psychology, by adding an objective verification step to determine how well instructional strategies are used in the design of a training program to meet the required learning objectives.
A C-130J pilot case study is used to demonstrate the application of MPEET and to show the plausibility of the approach. For the case study, metrics are derived to quantify the requirement for knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the C-130J pilot training system design. Instructional strategies were defined specifically for the C-130J training program. Feasible training alternatives were generated and evaluated for cost and effectiveness. Using information collected from decision-maker preferences for cost and effectiveness variables, a new training program is created and comparisons are made to the original. The case study allows tradeoffs to be performed quantitatively between the variable importance weightings and mean value of the probabilistic variables.
Overall, it is demonstrated that MPEET provides the capability to assess the cost and effectiveness of training system design and is an enabler to the inclusion of training as an independent non-materiel alternative solution during the CBA process. Although capability gaps in the defense acquisition process motivated the development of MPEET its applicability extends to any training program following the instructional design process where the assumed constraints are not prohibitive.
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Tollin, Nicola. "A resilience transition for sustainable urban development : a process design methodology to support participatory decision making." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/336675.
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Actualmente, más del 50% de la población mundial vive en áreas urbanas (75% en EU), y las ciudades concentran entre un 60-80% del consumo energético global y el mismo porcentaje de las emisiones de GEI CO2. Así mismo, producen el 50% de residuos a nivel global, consumen 75% de los recursos naturales y concentran el 80% del PIB (UNEP-DTIE, 2013). -El cambio climático tiene el potencial de influir casi el total de los componentes del medio urbano y genera nuevos y complejos retos para la calidad de vida, la salud y la biodiversidad urbanas. Algunas ciudades experimentarán sequías y elevadas temperaturas. Otras podrían experimentar inundaciones. El cambio climático afectará muchos aspectos de la vida en una ciudad, desde la calidad del aire, hasta los patrones de consumo. La UE ha puesto en marcha ambiciosas políticas e iniciativas para promover soluciones sobre el terreno, entre las que se incluyen iniciativas para aumentar la resiliencia y promover tanto las energías renovables como las tecnologías de baja emisión de carbono. (EC, 2015). Las ciudades ya han comenzado a desarrollar políticas, planes y acciones específicas para la mitigación o la adaptación al cambio climático, y un relativamente pequeño pero creciente número de ellas, se encuentran liderando pioneros enfoques integrados basados en la resiliencia, que buscan responder a los retos presentados por la incertidumbre y la imprevisible naturaleza de los fenómenos que se abordan, lo cual se ve aunado a una falta de conocimiento especializado en cambio climático, en términos de investigación, evaluación, métodos, herramientas y habilidades de planeación. (EU, 2013). Haciendo una revisión en torno a los principios clave del desarrollo sostenible y a los retos clave a nivel urbano, tales como el cambio global ambiental y climático, aquí se presenta una metodología para el diseño de un proceso de transición hacia la resiliencia urbana. La metodología está basada en la amplia participación de los tomadores de decisiones, siguiendo los principios de co-diseño y co-evolución. El elemento más innovador de la metodología está relacionado con su contribución en términos de la teoría de la planeación y las prácticas para la resiliencia urbana a través de escalas tanto temporales como espaciales, lo cual se encuentra poco desarrollado actualmente. Además, el enfoque participativo del proceso de diseño redefine el rol de los planificadores aportando una perspectiva más amplia, no más como demiurgo, sino como un facilitador en los procesos de diseño y El objetivo original de la tesis, es el desarrollo de una metodología para la evaluación integrada del desarrollo urbano sostenible, expandido y ampliado para abordar la necesidad que existe, como se prueba tanto en la existencia de literatura científica como de documentos de políticas de la UE y de la ONU, de encontrar nuevas formas y métodos para la planeación en términos de resiliencia urbana, vista como un proceso dinámico y continuo de adaptación de la ciudad que permita un balance entre la necesidad de reducir el riesgo y la de innovar, todo ello para aumentar el bienestar de los ciudadanos a través de la co-evolución basada en procesos de planeación participativa. El resultado obtenido es una metodología de diseño de procesos completamente funcional para la transición hacia la resiliencia urbana, incluyendo un enfoque sistémico y un método de evaluación integrada de la sostenibilidad, el cual ha sido desarrollado desde su concepción a un Nivel de Preparación Tecnológica 7-8, finalmente incluyendo una demostración del prototipo del sistema en un ambiente operativo.<br>Today over 50% of world population lives in urban areas (75% in EU), and cities account for 60-80% of global energy consumption and the same share of GHG CO2, producing 50% of global waste, consuming 75% of natural resources and producing 80% of global GDP. (UNEP-DTIE, 2013)
¿Climate change has the potential to influence almost all components of the urban environment and raises new, complex challenges for quality of urban life, health and urban biodiversity. Some cities will experience droughts and increased temperatures. Others may experience floods. Climate change will affect many aspects of urban living from air quality to consumption patterns. The EU has put in place ambitious policies and initiatives to promoting solutions on the ground. These include initiatives to increase resilience and promote renewable energies and low-carbon technologies. (EC, 2015) Cities have already started to develop specific mitigation or adaption or risk policies/plans/actions; and a relatively small but growing number of them are now pioneering an integrated approach urban resilience based, facing challenges related uncertainty and unpredictability of the phenomena they are addressing, and ultimately suffering for a lack of knowledge in terms of research, evaluation methods/tools and planning skills. (EU, 2013) Following a review of sustainable development principles and key urban challenges, as climate and global environmental changes, it is here presented a process design methodology for urban resilience transition.
The methodology is based on broad stakeholders' participation, following co-design and co-evolution principles. The most innovative element of the process design methodology is related to the contribution in terms of planning theory and practices for urban resilience, cross-scale both in time and space, which is currently very little understood and developed. Furthermore the participatory process design approach re-define the role of planner in a wider perspective, not any longer as demiurges, but as facilitator of planning and design processes.
The original objective of the thesis, to develop a methodology for integrated evaluation of sustainable urban development, was expanded and broadened to address the very needed request, as proven by both existence of scientific literature and EU/UN policy document, for new forms and methodology of planning addressing urban resilience, as a dynamic process of continuous adaptation of cities balancing between the need to reduce risk and to innovate, ultimately to increase well-being urban citizens, through co-evolution based participatory planning processes.
The results is a fully working process design methodology for urban resilient transition, including the original system thinking approach and embedded with an integrated evaluation of sustainability system, which has been developed from inception to a Technology Readiness Level 7-8, finally including the system prototype demonstration in operational environment.
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Coppola, Emery A. "Optimal pumping policy for a public supply wellfield using computational neural network with decision-making methodology." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2000. http://etd.library.arizona.edu/etd/GetFileServlet?file=file:///data1/pdf/etd/azu_e9791_2000_395_sip1_w.pdf&type=application/pdf.
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Coppola, Emery Albert. "Optimal pumping policy for a public supply wellfield using computational neural network with decision-making methodology." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/279840.
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Effective management of groundwater resources is at the forefront of environmental challenges confronting mankind in the 21st century. In many regions of the world, growing human populations coupled with decades of improper use and disposal of chemical contaminants have diminished the quantity and quality of this irreplaceable resource. It is projected that by the year 2025, thirty-five percent of the world population will experience chronic water shortages [Ahfeld et al, 2000]. As much of the world relies upon groundwater as its drinking water source (e.g. 51.7% of the United States population), optimal management will become increasingly important. Complicating the problem is that human use considerations must be balanced with environmental and economic concerns. Balancing multiple concerns such as these constitutes a multiobjective and conflict resolution problem, where tradeoffs among non-commensurable objectives must be identified to select the best compromise solution. In this research, a Computational Neural Network (CNN) methodology has been developed for identifying pumping policies for public supply wells that effectively balance risk of contamination with supply objectives. Utilizing simulation results from MODFLOW, monthly CNN's were developed to predict groundwater elevations at select locations for a hypothetical but realistic unconfined, heterogeneous aquifer under variable monthly pumping and recharge rates. The resulting CNN architecture, a simplified linear approximation to the finite-difference flow equations, was embedded into a linear optimization program, and an objective function that quantified both risk and supply was solved for using different weight preferences. The resulting Pareto frontier served as the basis for multiobjective and conflict resolution analyses. The CNN and decision-making methodologies were then applied to a real-world test case in Toms River, New Jersey, where contaminated public supply wells, a suspected cancer cluster, and few alternative water sources motivated the need for a formal and rigorous analysis that identified the best compromise solution. The new CNN methodology achieved a very high degree of accuracy in both simulation and optimization, and, once trained, is computationally more efficient than traditional methods. Perhaps most importantly, this research demonstrates the theoretical possibility of training a CNN with real-world data, allowing direct optimization of the actual groundwater system.
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Lindqvist, Karl, and Karl Gladh. "Risk and cost assessment in supply chain decision making : Developing a tool with analytical hierarchy methodology." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik och samhälle, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-74516.
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This study aims to describe how a tool can be developed by assessing risk and cost within the supply chain of a company. By interviewing stakeholders of the chosen case company, and later analysing their answers with the help of a thematic analysis, we were able to isolate the risk criteria seen as significant. Quality, people, delivery, cost-variation, flexibility and information risk were then used in an AHP model, together with the addition of a cost criterion. By using the AHP methodology, we were able to establish the relation between risk and cost, the different risk criteria and the different product flows considered. The AHP resulted in a matrix which presents the internal relations which can be used as a tool when choosing between different product flows. The purpose of this tool is to help mitigate some of the uncertainties that can emerge when making decisions within the supply chain. The data used in this study is based on the input of the case company, the general application of the matrix have therefore not been tested.<br>Studien syftar till att beskriva hur ett verktyg kan utvecklas genom att risk och kostnad i ett företags logistikkedja tas i beaktning. Riskerna som behandlas i rapporten identifierades genom att intervjua nyckelpersoner inom det fallföretag som studien utgick ifrån. För att identifiera de risker som ansågs påverka valet av produktflöde, genomfördes en tematisk analys av intervjumaterialet där riskkriteriernas relativa frekvens uppmättes. Den tematiska analysen resulterade i en enkät där parvisa jämförelser mellan riskelement och produktflöden utfördes utefter en beslutshierarki som utarbetats. Resultatet från den tematiska analysen och enkäten visade att risker kopplade till, kvalité, kompetens, leverans, kostnadsvariationer, flexibilitet samt information skall ges en större vikt när produktflöden utvärderas relativt den kostnad som flödena ger upphov till. Resultatet har sammanställts i en matris, där förhoppningen är att matrisen skall hjälpa motverka en del av den osäkerhet som kan uppstå när produktflöden utvärderas. Matrisen i sig är framtagen med hjälp av fallföretaget och dess generella applicering har därför inte testats.
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Thompson, Stephanie C. "Rational design theory: a decision-based foundation for studying design methods." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/39490.
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While design theories provide a foundation for representing and reasoning about design methods, existing design theories do not explicitly include uncertainty considerations or recognize tradeoffs between the design artifact and the design process. These limitations prevent the existing theories from adequately describing and explaining observed or proposed design methods.
In this thesis, Rational Design Theory is introduced as a normative theoretical framework for evaluating prescriptive design methods. This new theory is based on a two-level perspective of design decisions in which the interactions between the artifact and the design process decisions are considered. Rational Design Theory consists of normative decision theory applied to design process decisions, and is complemented by a decision-theory-inspired conceptual model of design.
The application of decision analysis to design process decisions provides a structured framework for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of design methods. The qualitative evaluation capabilities are demonstrated in a review of the systematic design method of Pahl and Beitz. The quantitative evaluation capabilities are demonstrated in two example problems. In these two quantitative examples, Value of Information analysis is investigated as a strategy for deciding when to perform an analysis to gather additional information in support of a choice between two design concepts. Both quantitative examples demonstrate that Value of Information achieves very good results when compared to a more comprehensive decision analysis that allows for a sequence of analyses to be performed.
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Pierce, Ron D. "A survey methodology written-visual combination assessment." Virtual Press, 1999. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1137654.
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This project proposed methodology that enhances user preference communication, enabling the landscape architect to design spaces which better meet the needs and expectations of the user(s). Semantic and visual preferences were administered to a user core group to determine guidelines that led to a design study master plan that included the design of "outdoor rooms."The advantages and disadvantages of previous written and visual survey methods were reviewed. From this review the proposed methodology was developed and tested. The results showed the users' desires where not predictable more efficient designs were enabled. This method could be used in directing a diverse set of landscape design projects.<br>Department of Landscape Architecture
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Kaya, Zehra Gozde. "Developing A Gis Based Methodology For Decision Making For Multiobjective Recreational Areas, Case Study : Eastern Black Sea Region." Master's thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12607288/index.pdf.
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In this study, a method is proposed for decision making for multiobjective recreational areas, by using multi attribute decision making rules within GIS. The method provides integration of ecological, sociocultural and economic considerations of an ecologically valuable area in a systematic way. The first stage of the methodology includes determination of suitable areas for three usages of forest area<br>outdoor recreation, timber production and protection needed areas. The second stage comprises decision making analyses. In this stage, two of multi attribute decision rule methods<br>simple additive weighting method and ideal point
method, are used. As a result of these analyses alternative proposal maps for study area and ideal areas for recreation and timber production are acquired. Finally, in the third stage these alternative proposal maps and ideal area are compared with each other and with defined protection zone in the study area. Ideal areas for recreation and timber production are defined by also considering the protection needed areas. The methodology is applied on Eastern Black Sea Region. As a result of the study, ideal areas both for recreational usage and timber production are defined. According to these ideal areas, best fitting alternative map is selected. Finally recreation and timber production proposals are compared with protection needed areas. Results of this study provide a general decision for multipurposed areas in regional scale. The suggested protection zones and suitable areas for recreation and timber production should provide a primary information for forest management studies which must be done in more detailed scales.
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Shukla, Vikas. "Comprehensive méthodology for the complex systems' requirements engineering & decision making." Thesis, Toulouse, INSA, 2014. http://www.theses.fr/2014ISAT0019/document.
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L’objectif principal de l’ingénierie des systèmes est la création d’un ensemblede produits et des services de haute qualité qui permettent l’accomplissement de tâchespour répondre aux besoins des clients. Un projet typique d’ingénierie des systèmes peutêtre divisé en trois phases : la définition, le développement et le déploiement. La phasede définition comprend les activités de capture des exigences et de leur raffinement. Àla fin de la phase de définition du système, nous avons toutes les exigences fonctionnelleset non-fonctionnelles du système. L’un des résultats de la phase de développement est lemodèle de travail initiale du système. La phase de déploiement se compose des activitésliées à (1) l’évaluation opérationnelle du système, à (2) l’utilisation du système et à (3) sonentretien. Dans un cycle de vie du projet, il y a de nombreuses questions qui doivent êtretraitées au cours des différentes phases pour finalement livrer un produit.Nous avons proposé une solution aux problèmes liés à l’ingénierie des exigences et auxtechniques de la détection, de la gestion et de la résolution des conflits entre les partiesprenantes. Cette thèse est basée sur les dernières avancées dans les pratiques industrielleset de recherche dans le domaine de l’ingénierie de conception du système.L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est de proposer une méthodologie de conception novatriceet globale en tenant compte de l’environnement multidisciplinaire et de multiplesintervenants. Nous avons proposé un langage de modélisation des exigences basé sur lestechniques GORE. Nous avons proposé quelques outils pour réduire l’ambiguïté des exigencestels l’utilisation de phrases négatives et de tests á l’aide de négation lorsqu’il s’agitde traiter certaines exigences difficiles à comprendre avec les techniques classiques. Nousavons également proposé des techniques de gestion des exigences pour mieux assurer leurtraçabilité. Concernant la résolution des conflits, nous avons proposé des techniques depondération des critères au cours des différentes étapes du cycle de vie. En utilisant lamême technique de pondération de critères, une méthode de décision multicritères et multiparticipants est proposée pour divers problèmes de décision survenant pendant le cycle devie du projet d’ingénierie systèmes.Enfin, une approche globale de l’ingénierie des systèmes est proposée pour intégrertoutes les contributions faites précédemment et est illustrée sur une étude de cas concernantun projet réel avec la présentation dŠun outil SysEngLab que nous avons développé pourmettre en oeuvre la majorité des méthodes et des techniques proposées au cours de thèse<br>The primary goal of the systems engineering is the creation of a setof high quality products and services that enable the accomplishment of desiredtasks and needs of the clients or user groups. A typical systems engineering projectcan be divided in to three phases: definition, development, and deployment. Thedefinition phase involves the activities of requirement elicitation and refinement.By the end of system definition phase, we have all the system functional and nonfunctionalrequirements. One of the results of development phase is initial workingmodel of the system. The deployment phase consists of activities of operationalimplementation, operational testing and evaluation, and operational functioning andmaintenance. In a project life cycle there are numerous issues to be sorted out duringthe various phases to finally deliver a successful product. We proposed solution tothe problems of requirements engineering & management, design conflict detection,and stakeholders conflict resolution. This thesis is based on the recent advances inindustrial practices and research in the field of system design engineering.The objective of this thesis work is to propose an innovative and holistic conceptionmethodology taking into account the multidisciplinary environment and multiplestakeholders. We have proposed a requirements modeling language based on theGORE techniques. We have proposed a few of tools for reducing the ambiguity ofrequirements such as: using negation and test cases using negation for contractingdifficult requirements. Requirement management techniques are proposed to providebetter requirements traceability and aid for other systems engineering activities.Few guidelines have been designed to guide the design of traceability policies. Criteriaweighting technique has been designed to better carry out the conflict resolutions,during the various life cycle stages. Using the same criteria weighting technique aflexible multi criteria multi participant decision methodology is proposed for variousdecision problems arising during the life cycle of systems engineering project.Finally, a comprehensive prescriptive systems engineering approach is proposedusing all the previously made contributions and an illustrative case study of a realongoing project is presented developed using the supporting tool SysEngLab, whichimplements majority of the methods and techniques proposed during thesis
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Dufresne, Stephane. "A hierarchical modeling methodology for the definition and selection of requirements." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24755.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008.<br>Committee Chair: Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Bishop, Carlee; Committee Member: Costello, Mark; Committee Member: Nickol, Craig; Committee Member: Schrage, Daniel
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Poole, Benjamin Hancock. "A methodology for the robustness-based evaluation of systems-of-systems alternatives using regret analysis." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24648.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.<br>Committee Chair: Mavris, Dimitri; Committee Member: Bishop, Carlee; Committee Member: McMichael, James; Committee Member: Nixon, Janel; Committee Member: Schrage, Daniel
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Chou, Shuo-Ju. "A conceptual methodology for assessing acquisition requirements robustness against technology uncertainties." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/39467.
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The lack of system capability, budget, and schedule robustness against technology performance and development uncertainties has led to major setbacks in recent acquisition programs. This lack of robustness stems from the fact that immature technologies have uncertainties in their expected performance and development times and costs that translate to variations in system effectiveness and program development budget and schedule requirements. As such, the objective of this thesis is to formulate an assessment process that better informs acquisition decision-makers of program requirements robustness against such uncertainties.
To meet the stated research objective, a conceptual methodology for assessing acquisition requirements robustness against technology performance and development uncertainties was formulated. This general approach provides a structured process for integrating probabilistic and quantitative forecasting, multi-criteria decision-making, and decision-support techniques to generate the statistical data needed to quantitatively predict requirements robustness. The results of the robustness assessment indicates to the decision-makers whether or not the technology or set of technologies being developed for the program will result in system capabilities and program budget and schedule that meet decision-maker requirements and preferences. This results in a more informed and justifiable selection of program technologies during initial program definition as well as formulation of program development and risk management strategies.
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Ballenger, Robert E. "Potential improvements in Defense Commissary Agency (DeCa) decision making if grocery industry financial reporting formats and methodology is utilized." Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/8835.
Full textAbstract:
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited<br>The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) holds a unique position within the Department of Defense (DoD) by being the only agency that runs a self- sustaining operation. As such, its operations run closely to that of the private sector, in particular the grocery industry. DeCA currently utilizes a standardized federal reporting format for its three principal statements, per Office of Management and Budget guidelines. The Statement of Cash Flows is the only statement of the three whose format is conducive to providing beneficial information to an external user (Congress, citizens, etc.). The Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Operations (and Changes in Net Position) formats, on the other hand, provide useful information to the Office of Management and Budget, but not to the external user. This thesis examines DeCA's financial statements, and discusses the shortcomings of the two statements' formats. It further proposes new formats which are more aligned with grocery industry formats, and conducts comparative analysis with two grocery firms and the grocery industry as a whole
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Kelly, Shannon E. "Deconstructing Rapid Reviews: An Exploration of Knowledge, Traits and Attitudes." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/33021.
Full textAbstract:
‘Rapid review’ is an accelerated evidence synthesis approach that has emerged to meet the needs of knowledge users in healthcare settings who require timely input to support evidence-informed policy and practice questions. Although use of rapid reviews continues to expand, there is a paucity of research on this topic. This thesis addresses three identified knowledge gaps: 1) To address the lack of an established definition for rapid reviews, a modified Delphi process was used to pursue expert consensus on the defining characteristics of rapid reviews and an operational definition; 2) To further our understanding of the prevalent opinions and perceptions towards rapid reviews, a Q methodology was used to characterize the viewpoints of research producers and knowledge users; and, 3) To extend our knowledge on the characteristics, conduct and reporting quality of rapid reviews, compliance with currently accepted checklists (AMSTAR, PRISMA) was explored in a sample of recent rapid reviews.
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Crowe, Peter. "The design of dialogue." Click here to access this resource online, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/401.
Full textAbstract:
With the first commitment of the Kyoto Protocol commencing in 2008, many signatory governments have identified bio fuels as a favoured response to the problem of fulfilling their countries' pledges to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels. Despite the tendency for pressure over climate change to expedite the commercialisation process, detailed evaluation of the claimed benefits, likely efficacy or environmental impact of bio fuels in New Zealand in the form of the Bio fuels Sales Obligation policy (BSO): a mandate place on the Oil Companies to supply a percentage of bio fuel. Systems thinking propound the notion of complex interrelatedness: a pivotal concept in our current understanding of the cumulative effects of greenhouse gas emissions and their relationship to climate change. It also recognizes that the multiple ways in which different stakeholders perceive a contentious question are an integral feature of any problematical situation. By applying systems concepts to qualitative research, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is therefore particularly suitable for the analysis of multiple stakeholder discourse in this situation. The present study employs SSM to examine stakeholder opinion through the construction of conceptual models in the form of rich pictures and root definitions. The researcher invited diverse stakeholders to ‘see what they were thinking’ and reflect upon the beliefs and assumptions that informed their views with respect to New Zealand bio fuels development. With reference to official documentation arising from the policy development process and through a series of interviews and a focus group, the research examines perceptions of the consultation process on bio fuels development and its contribution to informed decision-making. The study data indicates that the scope of enquiry tended to be restricted by early presuppositions regarding the consultation process and its desired outcomes, which consequently shifted the focus of consultation the enquiry from an assessment of the desirability of bio fuels to an appraisal of the feasibility of government policy. However inadvertently, communication was distorted. The research examines the basic assumptions that shaped the discourse and enabled already established opinions to prevail. Furthermore, the thesis explores how using SSM to surface tacit assumptions and challenge proposed models of intervention can help improve the reflexivity of discourse and decision-making. By ensuring open communication remains at the centre of discourse, SSM could provide a means of establishing productive conditions for learning and co-creative dialogue. Consequently the study has important implications for how the ‘health’ of public discourse in New Zealand might be sustained when addressing other similarly complex issues.