Introduction With the increasing demand on productivity, quality, and availability, machines have become more complex and capital intensive. Developing and implementing a maintenance programme is a difficult process that suffers from many problems. It often suffers from lack of a systematic and a consistent methodology. In addition, since the process of developing the programme relates to diffe...

Assumptions about an object under study can influence research in many ways. These preconceptions color the researcher's perspective, and influence the research purpose, the research questions addressed, and the research methods used. This paper identifies and analyzes the following assumptions regarding information systems methodology (ISM) research: the positive impact of methodologies on the...

The paper proposes a simulation-based method for validating analog and mixed-signal circuits, using the hybrid systems methodology. This method builds upon RRT (Rapidly-exploring Random Trees), a probabilistic path/motion planning technique in robotics with a special property that allows to guarantee a good coverage quality. We focus on investigating conditions for preserving this coverage prop...

Cultural dimensions are often identified as a crucial influence on the success or failure of Information Systems in general and Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM) in particular. Several researchers have suggested ways in which management can accommodate these dimensions or solve the problems they may pose. Ali& Alshawi (2005) have proposed a cultural dimensions framework for the man...

It has been argued that the Conceptual Models used in Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) are logically inadequate for some of the purposes, notably information system design, for which they are used. In a series of theoretical papers it has been argued that this shortcoming could be rectified by producing logically enhanced versions of the SSM models. The paper describes the use of these models for...

This document presents the results of using the SpecC Methodology for creating architectures offered by Freescale for the mobile device space, implementing Freescale’s Smart Speed Technology. The solutions incorporate a generic processor architecture for code compatibility, but requires additional peripherals to enable the full system level requirements of the solution. A summary of how the met...

This paper describes a framework and tools that enable stakeholder participation in the development of conceptual models in simulation studies. The suggested framework utilises tools from soft systems methodology, a problem structuring approach, but it is also influenced by group model building in system dynamics. Its aim is to support the simulation modeller in developing a conceptual model wi...

Simulation models are often used to analyze the behavior and performance of infrastructure systems. The use of simulation models in multi-actor design processes is restricted to the analysis phase after conceptual designs have been completed. To use simulation models throughout the design process, simulation environments need to be adapted to support the interactive and iterative nature of desi...

This paper analyses the fundamental philosophical assumptions of five “contrasting” information systems development (ISD) approaches: the interactionist approach, the speech act-based approach, the soft systems methodology approach, the trade unionist approach, and the professional work practice approach. These five approaches are selected for analysis because they illustrate alternative philos...

This paper presents a method to obtain a polygonal mesh representing the ramified structure of a tree. We use a method based on L-systems to model the tree. A refining process is applied once the model of the tree is obtained. Soft transitions are achieved in the areas of the tree where there are divisions. In this way, we avoid the possible superimposition and discontinuity problems in geometr...