Life Cycle Process Model Research Articles

Engineering Systems with Standards and Digital Models: Development of a 15288-SysML Grid

The paradigm shift that has spurred the fourth industrial revolution, in what is termed Industry 4.0, has ushered in the need to adopt digital technologies throughout the worldwide industrial base to support system design efforts. The adoption of digital technologies with a digital enterprise and the creation of cyber–physical systems are central tenets of Industry 4.0 and directly support profitable business models, improvements in efficiency, and ensure durable quality for the modern industrial base. However, the techniques for engineering systems require new, improved, digital life cycle process models if Industry 4.0—and the goals for its integrated systems—are to be realized. The development of a technique that improves the life cycles for systems within the digital enterprise is required. The 15288-SysML Grid described herein supports the Industry 4.0 paradigm and its associated digital enterprise. This is accomplished through (1) the application of a modern life cycle process model (i.e., the adapted diamond); (2) the utilization of international standards for systems; and (3) the adoption of the four fundamental aspects of system design supported by model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and the systems modeling language (SysML).

Development of a voxel-based CAD system for upstream life cycle design and its application to LCA

The comprehensive design of product life cycles is a promising approach to realizing circular manufacturing systems. However, design support systems that can be used for the life cycle design during upstream stages have not been established. The purpose of this study is to develop an easy-to-use CAD system for the early stages of product life cycle design. The system supports creating a product model in voxel format and a life cycle process model as a process network in an integrated manner. The voxel models make it easy to create the rough shape of products and quantify the mass of each component for LCA. An LCD monitor's life cycle was designed using the proposed CAD tool. Fourteen design candidates were created and LCA was performed to compare the designs from the perspective of life cycle environmental impact. Through the case study, we confirmed that the tool is a practical system that can quantitatively examine what design improvements contributed to the reduction of environmental impact at an early design stage before creating detailed 3D-CAD models.

A cloud software life cycle process (CSLCP) model

Small to medium-sized enterprises take advantage of the strengths and opportunities of cloud computing. These enterprises require a well-defined software process model to produce reliable and quality cloud software, given their limited resources. Existing related work is surveyed, and the needed missing features are determined. A cloud software life cycle process model is proposed, validated, and verified to handle the shortcomings of existing cloud software process models. A case study is used to illustrate all the activities required throughout the software life cycle of the proposed model. The proposed cloud software life cycle process model is a cyclic iterative prototyping model. It is compatible with levels two and three of the capability maturity model integration and extends the Egyptian software process improvement model to fit the cloud environment. The model helps small enterprises develop quality, maintainable, and sustainable cloud software at a reasonable cost.

Managing data flows in infrastructure projects - the lifecycle process model

Productivity in the construction industry (both houses and infrastructure) has not been improving as expected, while other industries have been able to improve their productivity significantly. The appropriate use of building information modelling (BIM) technologies brings several benefits and advantages to construction projects. The main challenges of project efficiency emerge in the form of numerous requests for information during the construction project, which are considered to be waste in the processes. This highlights the need for a practical process model to plan the information flow for BIM-based projects. The main aim of this study is to propose a model to plan the flow of project information among primary stakeholders especially in infrastructure projects. Our main findings are firstly, the foundation for data management starts from defining unified one data for the product and the for the process. Unified data means one single repository of data – all stakeholders use the same unified data. It is also essential that data responsibilities and ownership are defined. Secondly, we found that the biggest challenges are that the data needs are not planned beforehand, resistance to change, difficulty receiving existing data and data must be modified before use. As a whole, it seems sometimes that the technology on data transfer is more important that what has been transferred and why. Finally our construction, the life cycle model for data flow originates from one data to all stakeholders, single data repository must be updated along the life- cycle of the object covering also the operations and maintenance, where the data has to be updated through the whole life-cycle. This new approach is intended to enable the early involvement of maintenance stakeholders in designing product data for a project lifecycle perspective. The model helps to change the current information flow and gain the benefits that a BIM-based process can offer. This study is based on case studies and is qualitative in nature and naturally needs more validation.

SWIMS: A dynamic life cycle-based optimisation and decision support tool for solid waste management

Abstract Solid waste management (SWM) decision makers are under increasing pressure to implement strategies that are both cost effective and environmentally sound. Consequently, SWM has developed into a highly complex systemic planning problem and analytical tools are needed to assist in the development of more sustainable SWM strategies. Here, we present the Solid Waste Infrastructure Modelling System (SWIMS) software, which is the first non-linear dynamic, LCA-based optimisation tool for SWM that optimises for both economic and environmental performance. The environmental and economic costs of treating generated wastes at available treatment facilities are calculated through a series of life cycle process models, based on non-linear expressions defined for each waste material and each treatment process type. Possible treatment paths for waste streams are identified using a depth first search algorithm and a sequential evolutionary genetic algorithm is used to prioritise the order of these paths, in lieu of user defined optimisation criteria and constraints. SWIMS calculates waste arisings into the future and determines if it is possible to treat generated waste, while considering present and future constraints (e.g. capacity). If additional capacity is required, SWIMS will identify the optimum infrastructure solution to meet this capacity demand. A demonstrative case study of MSW management in GB from 2010 to 2050 is presented. Results suggest that sufficient capacity is available in existing and planned infrastructure to cope with future demand for SWM and meet national regulatory and legislative requirements with relatively little capital investment beyond 2020. SWIMS can be used to provide valuable information for SWM decision makers, particularly when used to analyse the effects of possible future national or regional policies.

Agile Development Method for Mobile applications: A Study

It is highly important to be knowledgeable about the software development methodologies available in order to make the right choice when it comes to developing a mobile application. For developing mobile applications, existing software development process models are incorporated but looking at remarkable growth of mobile devices, the complexity involved in the development of mobile application needs a dedicated life cycle process model, instead of using traditional life cycle process models. Although many existing life cycle models are adapted for mobile application development but there are certain constraints that needs to be addresses specifically. This paper presents the results of literature review performed in order to identify newly created methodologies targeting the development of mobile applications. The unique requirements and constraints associated with mobile systems have brought new challenges to software development for such environments as its demands extensive improvements to traditional systems development methodologies in order to fulfill special needs of this field. Agile software development methods have caught attention of software engineers and researchers worldwide. The comparative analysis is performed using the methods life-cycle coverage and empirical evidences. This paper provides detailed review and analysis on the use of agile methodologies with mobile application skills.

Life Cycle Management of Cutting Tools: Comprehensive Acquisition and Aggregation of Tool Life Data

The complexity and number of variants of today's cutting tools is constantly growing due to the customer-specific requirements.These requirements and constantly changing circumstances in manufacturing environment can result in complications for the tool management since conventional tool histories and tool management systems are not pursuing a comprehensive approach to collect all necessary data along the tool life cycle. To identify and evolve dependencies of all relevant processes and process parameters, support tool manufacturers and their development departments as well as end users wanting to extend tool life to its fullest, tool history data must be distributed.Once tools have an individual tool ID, the acquisition of tool usage data via installation of process monitoring devices, together with tracking data and information of individual tools enable a holistic knowledge base and the adaption of tool concepts to fit the steadily changing circumstances in manufacturing environment. The objective of this research project is to support optimisation procedures in early stages of the tool life cycle by developing a generic tool history data pool. A methodical approach was developed for defining tool history data to support the information flow by using a life cycle process model. The intention is to detect and track relevant data and their sources such as MES, ERP, NC control, identification technology and sensors in stations located in the tool life cycle and allocate and distribute the history data from the shop floor to suitable process owners. The approach supports tool life cycle management and can lead to enhancing tool performance.

A Feature-based CAD-LCA Software Integration Approach for Eco-design

LCA is considered as a useful aiding tool for eco-design. However, Major obstacles hindering the employment of LCA to product eco-design include inefficiency in life cycle related data collection and difficulties in interpretation of LCA results into engineer's knowledge field. Though product CAD models are very useful, they cannot be used directly for LCA modeling and analysis, concerning the discrepancy in the principles of the utilized methodological approaches of CAD and LCA. This study aims to propose a CAD-LCA software integration approach based on feature technology. Two types of features, the Product Feature (PF) and Operation Feature (OF), for life cycle representation are proposed first. Then, a NX Unigraphics plug-in tool for PF extraction is developed. Also, a feature-based LCA system prototype tool which has the capabilities of processing product feature models, generating the life cycle process model based on product-to-operation feature mapping and performing LCI and impact assessment is proposed. This tool offers an effective way of life cycle related data integration, LCA result interpretation and application to sustainable product design. A stepped shaft LCA case study is then presented to demonstrate the proposed approach.

Comments on “A model-based design methodology for the development of mechatronic systems”

In the paper by Barbieri et al. (2014), a design methodology, based on the W life cycle process model, is presented and SysML is proposed as a tool to support the whole development process. In this letter, we discuss the presented approach, we point out technical errors and raise additional issues that might help in making the proposed approach applicable.

Suitability of Existing Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in Context of Mobile Application Development Life Cycle (MADLC)

Mobile technology has seen a steep rise in its demand and usage, which has further increased the need for specialized software for mobile devices. For developing mobile applications, existing software development process models are incorporated. But looking at the remarkable growth of mobile devices, the complexity involved in development of mobile applications needs a dedicated life cycle process model, instead of using traditional life cycle process models. Although many existing life cycle models are adapted for mobile apps development but there are certain constraints that needs to be addressed specifically, such as Performance Factor, Power Factor, Band Factor, Connectivity Factor, Context Factor, Graphic Interface Factor, Input Interface Factor, etc. It is a stimulating task to develop mobile application due to these technical constraints. In this paper, a comparative analysis of traditional software life cycle models that are widely used in software development and also discussed the strengths and weakness of using these models for mobile application development. It also emphasize on need for dedicated mobile application development life cycle process in order to provide high quality mobile apps and minimize mobile app development problems and errors that are faced at later stage.

LIFE CYCLE PROCESS MODEL OF A MARKET-ORIENTED AND STUDENT CENTERED HIGHER EDUCATION

There is not a single definition/explanation about market-orientation education. Two opposite definitions/explanations of pure market-oriented education (Cato, 2010) and social-market-oriented education (Amaratunga, 2009) are provided in the paper. Integrated multiple criteria analysis at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels are needed to increase efficiency of the market-oriented higher education reforms. Market-oriented higher education reforms management involves numerous aspects that should be considered in addition to making educational, pedagogical, didactical, economic, political and legal/regulatory decisions. These must include social, culture, ethical, psychological, environmental, technological, technical, organizational and managerial aspects. This article presents a Life Cycle Process Model of a Market-Oriented and Student Centered Higher Education (developed during BELL-CURVE (Built Environment Lifelong Learning Challenging University Responses to Vocational Education) project's activities) for such considerations and discusses certain composite parts of it. To demonstrate the application of this research, two Case Studies from Lithuania are submitted for consideration.

A novel lifecycle model for Web-based application development in small and medium enterprises

Software engineering’s lifecycle models have proven to be very important for traditional software development. However, can these models be applied to the development of Web-based applications as well? In recent years, Web-based applications have become more and more complicated and a lot of efforts have been placed on introducing new technologies such as J2EE, PhP, and.NET, etc., which have been universally accepted as the development technologies for Web-based applications. However, there is no universally accepted process model for the development of Web-based applications. Moreover, shaping the process model for small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have limited resources, has been relatively neglected. Based on our previous work, this paper presents an expanded lifecycle process model for the development of Web-based applications in SMEs. It consists of three sets of processes, i.e., requirement processes, development processes, and evolution processes. Particularly, the post-delivery evolution processes are important to SMEs to develop and maintain quality web applications with limited resources and time.

Using object-oriented methods in a system lifecycle process model

The paper proposes a technique of mapping an object oriented method (OMT) onto a software lifecycle process model (Development Standard for the German Federal Armed Forces Process (V-Model)). This technique is extended by the integration another established technique on the use of object oriented paradigm in system engineering. The combination of both techniques can be a preliminary step in bridging the gap between a software lifecycle development processes in software engineering and system engineering. Difficulties are discussed and perspectives for such work are presented.

Integration of data models for process design — first steps and experiences

In recent years numerous approaches have been presented to support the activities in chemical process design by means of software tools, but significant improvements of the design process can only be achieved if it is supported in its entirety. Therefore, the integration of the existing software tools is of prime importance. All these tools are based on data models that capture the information handled during the design process. In this study, a conceptual data model is presented that has been designed for the integration of existing data models as a first step towards the integration of the software tools using these models. This conceptual lifecycle process model CLiP is based on the ideas of general systems theory. This universal approach renders the model very flexible and guarantees a well-defined structure for data model integration. Some integration mechanisms are presented and discussed. Finally, a conceptual model is proposed based on the architecture tool integration.

Using Object Oriented Methods in a System Lifecycle Process Model

The paper proposes a technique of mapping an object oriented method (OMT) onto a software lifecycle process model (Development Standard for the German Federal Armed Forces Process (V-Model)). This technique is extended by the integration another established technique on the use of object oriented paradigm in system engineering. The combination of both techniques can be a preliminary step in bridging the gap between a software lifecycle development processes in software engineering and system engineering. Difficulties are discussed and perspectives for such work are presented.

The tailoring process in the German V-Model

V-Model is the Software Development Standard of the German Federal Authorities and is to be used for all projects in defense and commercial areas. The standard has been in use since summer 1992. V-Model is a life cycle process model that consists of activities and products for software development, quality assurance, configuration management and project management. Explained in this paper is the selection process (tailoring) of the activities and products for specific project needs. Tailoring is achieved by means of deletion conditions for activities or by means of tailoring forms for various project types.