Activity-based resource capability modeling

To analyse and optimize a enterprise process in a wide scope, an activity-based method of modeling resource capabilities is presented. It models resource capabilities by means of the same structure as an activity, that is, resource capabilities are defined by input objects, actions and output objects. A set of activity-based resource capability modeling hales and matching rules between an activity and a resource are introduced. This method can not only be used to describe capability of manufacturing tools, but also capability of persons and applications, etc. It unifies methods of modeling capability of all kinds of resources in an enterprise and supports the ootimization of the resource allocation of a orocess.

Application of Capability Maturity Model Integration to Innovation Management for Software and Service Companies

To look through innovation management in small project-based firms, such as software engineering companies, which are service firms that conduct projects for their clients, capability maturity model integration （CMMI） is introduced. It is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes. Taking ABC Software Company as an example, the performances before and after the introduction of CMMI in the firm were compared. The results indicated that after two years of application, the productivity increased 92%, and the ability of detecting errors improved 26.45% ; while the rate of faults and the cost of software development dropped 12.45% and 77.55%, respectively. To conclude, small project-based firms benefit a lot if they take CMMI into their process of innovation management, particularly for those R＆D firms, since the implementation of CMMI leads them to a promising future with higher efficiency and better effects.

Forecasting the Quasi-stationary Front Rainstorm in Southeast China Using the Synthetically Multilevel Analog Forecast Technology

The authors use numerical model integral products in a third level forecast of synthetically multi-level analog forecast technology.This is one of the strongest points of this study,which also includes the re-ducing mean vacant-forecast rate method,which pos-sesses many advantages with regard to filtering the analog term.Moreover,the similitude degree between samples is assessed using a combination of meteorological elements,which works better than that described using a single element in earlier analog forecast studies.Based on these techniques,the authors apply the model output,air sounding,surface observation and weather map data from 1990 to 2002 to perform an analog experiment of the quasi-stationary front rainstorm.The most important re-sults are as follows:(1) The forecast successful index is 0.36,and was improved after the forecast model was re-vised.(2) The forecast precise rate (0.59) and the lost-forecast rate (0.33) are also better than those of other methods.(3) Based on the model output data,the syn-thetically multilevel analog forecast technology can pro-duce more accurate forecasts of a quasi-stationary front rainstorm.(4) Optimal analog elements reveal that trig-gering mechanisms are located in the lower troposphere while upper level systems are more important in main-taining the phase of the rainstorm.These variables should be first taken into account in operational forecasts of the quasi-stationary front rainstorm.(5) In addition,experi-ments reveal that the position of the key zone is mainly decided by the position of the system causing the heavy rainfall.

Numerical study of roll motion of a 2-D floating structure in viscous flow

In the present study,an open source CFD tool,Open FOAM has been extended and applied to investigate roll motion of a 2-D rectangular barge induced by nonlinear regular waves in viscous flow.Comparisons of the present Open FOAM results with published potential-flow solutions and experimental data have indicated that the newly extended Open FOAM model is very capable of accurate modelling of wave interaction with freely rolling structures.The wave-induced roll motions,hydrodynamic forces on the barge,velocities and vorticity fields in the vicinity of the structure in the presence of waves have been investigated to reveal the real physics involved in the wave induced roll motion of a 2-D floating structure.Parametric analysis has been carried out to examine the effect of structure dimension and body draft on the roll motion.

A Benefit Measurement Framework for an Online Contract Change Management System

The contract change management (CCM) system is an online collaboration tool, which supports the contract change management process of new engineering contract (NEC) contract. It is currently used in practice on a wide range of civil, power, and building projects in the UK. The aim of this study is first to identify the tangible and intangible benefits of the system through a user survey; then to develop a framework to measure these benefits. A questionnaire survey is conducted, which reveals that CCM can help project teams improve process effectiveness, reduce risk of process failures, and increase the compliance with NEC requirements. Subsequently, a spreadsheet tool is developed to allow CCM users to calculate the tangible cost savings as a result of using the system. For intangible benefits, a change management maturity model (CM3) is developed, which provides a measurement framework for assessing the improvement of a project team’s capability in dealing with contract changes.