Release Planning Research Articles

Stakeholder identification for a structured release planning approach in the automotive domain

In regulated domains like automotive, release planning is a complex process. This complex process consists of an agreement between product development processes for hardware as well as mechanic systems and approaches for software development. Particularly in automotive, the creation and synchronization of release plans for hardware as well as software is a challenge. Within the whole complex system development, it is challenging to consider the relevant stakeholders in the initial creation of a release plan. Depending on the context that a release plan shall be created for, there are different stakeholders that have to be considered from the beginning. There are numerous publications in the area of release planning, but there is no detailed research that shows which stakeholders have to be addressed in the automotive context. The aim of this work is to identify stakeholders of a release plan as an appropriate approach to create transparency in release planning in the automotive domain. Action research to elaborate relevant stakeholders for release planning was conducted at Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG. We present a detailed overview of identified stakeholders as well as their required content and added value regarding two pilot projects. With this contribution, identified stakeholders of release planning from the hardware and software points of view are introduced. We discuss, based on the results, why there are common stakeholders for the two projects and why there are individual stakeholders for each project. With this work, we present a more complete stakeholder identification and a more detailed understanding of their needs.

"When She Says Daddy": Black Fathers' Recidivism following Reentry from Jail.

We report on the findings of a mixed methods longitudinal study of 84 African American fathers of young children who were enrolled into the study during the father’s jail stay. Participants were assessed using interviews, self-report measures, and administrative records on frequency of father–child contact, father–caregiver relationship quality, family support, paternal pre-incarceration employment, fathers’ plans to live with the child upon reentry, history of substance abuse, and new convictions one year following release from jail. Qualitative analysis revealed three primary identities of fathers during incarceration: father as nurturer, father as protector, and father as provider. Qualitative analysis of interview data detailed the ways in which the context of incarceration and the presence of the criminal justice system interacts with these identities to impact family structure, parent–child visits, plans for release, and motivation for desistance. Quantitative analysis indicated heterogeneity among fathers, with links between parent–child contact and desistance conditional on fathers’ plans for coresidence with children as well as family support and relationship quality. Taken together, the findings highlight the strengths of African American fathers and their families despite the risks associated with incarceration, including the importance of family support and children as motivation for desistance. The results have implications for how the justice system weighs the bidirectional influences of fathers and families.

Climatic suitability and compatibility of the invasive Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) in the Southern Hemisphere: Considerations for biocontrol

Iris pseudacorus L. (Iridaceae) is an emergent macrophyte native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Considered invasive in wetland habitats around the world, this species is now the target of a biocontrol programme in the Southern Hemisphere. Native range surveys of the weed led to the selection of the flea beetle, Aphthona nonstriata Goeze (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), as a candidate biocontrol agent. An important aspect to consider in weed biocontrol is the ability of an agent to establish and thrive in the environment where it is released. Climatic incompatibility between source and intended release sites can in fact limit the success of a biocontrol programme. In the current study, the potential climatic niche of I. pseudacorus and A. nonstriata in the Southern Hemisphere was analysed. The ecological niche modelling software MaxEnt was used to map the climatic suitability of both organisms across invaded regions in South America, southern Africa and Australasia. Furthermore, occurrence records from each invaded range were used independently to model the climatic compatibility of I. pseudacorus in Europe, in order to prioritize areas of the native range to explore during future surveys for potential biocontrol agents. The models identified areas at high risk of invasion by I. pseudacorus in northern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and central Chile, as well as numerous provinces of eastern South Africa, Lesotho, southern Australia and New Zealand. Accordingly, the highest climatic suitability for A. nonstriata was predicted across the humid temperate climates of north-east Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern South Africa, south-east Australia and New Zealand. These results can eventually be used in future release plans to prioritize areas where establishment and survival of the agent is expected to be highest. At the same time, it may be useful to search the native range of the weed for biological control agents showing high climatic adaptation towards the intended release sites of each invaded range. In this regards, our climatic compatibility models identified high-priority areas across the Mediterranean regions of Italy and southern France, as well as the temperate regions of central and western Europe. Altogether, the current study provides useful new information to tackle the invasion and advance the biocontrol programme of I. pseudacorus in the Southern Hemisphere.

Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) experiences and release plans among federally incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Ontario, Canada: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundIncarcerated populations experience an elevated prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD). Federal correctional institutions in Canada have increasingly treated OUD among correctional populations via opioid agonist treatment (OAT) – an evidence based pharmacotherapy that works to reduce drug use and related health harms. However, there is limited evidence regarding incarcerated individuals’ experiences with institutional-based OAT, as well potential OAT-related community release prospects. This information is important for optimal treatment retention and improved health. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a longitudinal follow-up study examining OAT-related experiences among federally incarcerated individuals before and after community release. This article focuses on the baseline (pre-release) data.MethodsThis mixed-methods study examined OAT-related experiences and release prospects among n = 46 individuals scheduled for community release, recruited from seven federal prisons located in Ontario, Canada. Participants underwent a comprehensive interviewer-administered on-site assessment, including quantitative and qualitative items. Assessment data was furthermore linked to administrative correctional data. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative and descriptive quantitative approaches.ResultsParticipants had complex histories with opioid use including related negative health outcomes. Experiences with institutional OAT were divergent and provision was not standardized; those with OAT engagement pre-admission did not experience many challenges, whereas those initiating OAT during incarceration experienced barriers such as treatment waitlists and adverse process experiences. Most participants expressed a preference for buprenorphine-naloxone over methadone, but described difficulties accessing it. Participants were keen to transition into community-based treatment, yet envisaged prospective barriers and facilitators concerning successful reintegration and treatment continuity.ConclusionsMajor barriers towards the current administration of OAT in federal correctional systems in Canada exist, including extensive waitlists, non-standardized practices, and challenges accessing preferred OAT formulations; this contributes to sub-optimal treatment. Eliminating waitlists, standardizing OAT provision, providing additional OAT options, and more comprehensive release planning may be essential for treatment retention and positive outcomes.

Conditional release and cannabis use: Concerns and challenges for community reintegration.

This article, which serves as a perspective review, delves into the complexities of cannabis use among individuals preparing for or already on conditional release (CR). These complexities include an association between cannabis use and mental illness and dealing with the fact that the use of illicit substances, such as cannabis, is against CR rules, leading to potential revocation. A focus of this article is the deleterious effects cannabis and synthetic derivatives of cannabis can have for individuals on CR. The article concludes with six-specific recommendations for managing cannabis use in this population with a focus on careful and detailed risk assessments that considers the relationship between substance use and dangerousness, the role of protective factors, the need for a detailed conditional release plan, inpatient and community-based interventions aimed at increasing individual autonomy, and education on the dangers of cannabis use for both the treatment team and the insanity acquittee.

Recommendations for the rehabilitation and release of wild-born, captive-raised cheetahs: the importance of pre- and post-release management for optimizing survival

AbstractLarge carnivores are frequently released for conservation purposes, but early efforts struggled with inadequate monitoring and reporting, resulting in poor understanding of success. Although managers have improved release practice and monitoring, the use of orphaned, captive-raised large carnivores for release remains controversial because of the potential influence of captivity and the possible lack of natural behaviours in such individuals. Yet, rehabilitating orphaned individuals for release could help mitigate pressures on vulnerable wild populations. We present a case study on the rearing, rehabilitation and release of wild-born cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus that were rescued as orphans in Namibia. Our aim was to develop a methodological framework for cheetah release planning and post-release management based on the outcome of release trials conducted during 2004–2018. Between 2001 and 2012, we rescued 86 orphaned cheetahs from the wild. Of these, 36 (42%) were selected as release candidates. We found high success rates (75–96%) of selected individuals in achieving independence post-release. Additionally, annual survival estimates for rehabilitated individuals that reached independence were comparable to those of wild counterparts described by other studies, and some rehabilitated individuals reproduced with wild conspecifics. Our findings demonstrate the ability of wild-born, captive-raised cheetahs to transition back into the wild with strategic pre- and post-release management directed towards optimizing survival. This includes selecting appropriate release candidates, forming artificial coalitions, balancing habituation levels during captivity, choosing appropriate release sites, and providing strategic support during post-release monitoring. We encourage scientists and managers to implement and refine our protocol for rehabilitation throughout the cheetah's current and historic range.

Maternal incarceration in a provincial prison in Canada: A qualitative study.

To explore the experiences of provincially incarcerated mothers in Nova Scotia, Canada; and to make recommendations with respect to improving the experiences of mothers facing criminalization and their children. This qualitative study is rooted in feminist standpoint theory, community-based research methodologies and prison abolition. Mothers who were currently or previously incarcerated were recruited by community partners. Between Fall 2021 and Winter 2022, 14 individual interviews and one focus group were conducted, for a total of 18 study participants. Data were analysed collaboratively using thematic analysis. Three key themes were developed through the data analysis: Maintaining Connection, Broken Bonds and The Damage. Mothers shared experiences of trying to maintain connections with their children through numerous challenges, including emotional distress caused by the separation and significant logistical and financial barriers. Mothers felt their children unfairly bore the burden of their incarceration. They experienced a lack of or outright denial of services while incarcerated, and a lack of transitional support on release, making working towards parenting again difficult and discouraging. For participants in our study, separation from their children during incarceration caused severe emotional distress and had serious implications on their right to parent and their relationships with their children. Incarceration for even brief periods has detrimental social impacts, and release planning does not prepare people for the challenges of repairing that damage. Conditions of maternal incarceration are in violation of international human rights laws. Although we make some recommendations for reform (e.g. free phone calls), we focus on alternatives to incarceration for mothers experiencing criminalization. Findings will be shared with relevant institutional partners with the goal of impacting sentencing and incarceration practices.

Software Architecture during Release Planning

This research paper will throw light on the design and implementation of how software architects are involved in release planning of industry and how issues are tackled during this time. Release planning basically deals with the inclusion of products in future release. The intricacy of investors guarantees the application of results. The prescribed method of release planning is referred to redirect versatile categories and it will help in an organized way. Moreover, difficulties related to danger, personal controls, structures, money or technical needs can be easily implemented into the release planning. Release planning is also referred to as new embodiment of a growing product. Though, the idea of a release is not limited to this but can be functional to any kind of intruded progress where a release planning relates a time period. An experienced based planning procedure is not able to justify size, complication, ambiguity, problems and such plans leaves a customer with discontentment which can result in the loss of time, budget and market share.

Clearing function-based simulation optimization for release planning under digital twin wafer fabs

This research studies the generating and updating of production release plans in digital twin wafer fabs. We collect the manufacturing data of the workload and the expected output for each planning period from the manufacturing execution system and the data monitoring system. Then, we fit the above data as piecewise linear clearing functions (CFs) and import the parameters of clearing functions to the mathematical planning model. A theoretical optimal solution can be calculated by the mathematical model. We import this solution as an initial solution into the discrete-event simulation model to perform simulation iterative optimization, until a satisfactory solution is obtained. To reflect the physical production system data changes in time and to update production plans, we design two update strategies. Strategy 1: The discrete event simulation model in virtual space is updated when key parameters exceed the designed thresholds. Strategy 2: The simulated data used by clearing functions is updated after every production planning process. We fit clearing functions using both historical data and simulation prediction data.

Integrating User Reviews and Issue Reports of Mobile Apps for Change Requests Detection

There is abundance of mobile Apps released continuously on the App store, where developers are required to maintain these Apps to attain user satisfaction. Developers should consider all user feedback, as they are important resources for planning of next App’s release. In order to consider user feedback, many platforms host mobile Apps and allow users to submit their opinions, such as: Google Play App store and Github Open-Source Development platform. The automated consolidation of user feedback from such platforms, and transforming it into a list of change requests would result in satisfying users across different platforms, and their analysis helps developer to reduce cost of time and effort to plan for the new release of the mobile App. In this paper, a framework is proposed which integrates user feedback from different sources and analyzes them using a state-of-art user reviews analysis tool to obtain a list of change requests, such list is further examined for similarity to remove duplicates and prioritize the identified change requests. A prototype is designed to implement the proposed framework and applied to AntennaPod. Consequently, the framework experimentation results show that reviews and issue reports can be analyzed almost equally despite the difference of text’s nature.

Maturing the Scrum Framework for Software Projects Portfolio Management: A Case Study-Oriented Methodology

In the modern era, information technology-based solution providers are encountering a growing request for satisfying the versatile requirements of their customers in terms of software applications. To this end, specific approaches have been designed to streamline the way of accomplishing software projects in an efficient manner, i.e., agile-oriented frameworks. Even though previous studies have highlighted variations of such a framework, the literature has not addressed the adaptations required in response to the gradual maturity of a wide-ranging case study dealing with software applications. Following a case study-oriented methodology, this paper focuses on elaborating a set of workable maneuvers to mature the Scrum framework when applied to portfolio management. Particularly, we highlight how Scrum should be adapted from its basic setting to a vision and goal-oriented configuration or Scrumban under certain conditions. As a maturing practice, we propose a heuristic scoring technique to determine the sprint length of subprojects with different characteristics in the context of a portfolio. The study also introduces a multi-level refinement structure to enhance the monitoring of the teams’ performance under the proposed mature framework. The results obtained display a considerable spike in the realization rate of release planning in light of the actual performance.

A Revenue-based Decision-making Approach for Evaluating Modular Product Release Plans under Resource Constraints

A Revenue-based Decision-making Approach for Evaluating Modular Product Release Plans under Resource Constraints

Analyzing Uncertainty in Release Planning: A Method and Experiment for Fixed-Date Release Cycles

Release planning—deciding what features to implement in upcoming releases of a software system—is a critical activity in iterative software development. Many release planning methods exist, but most ignore the inevitable uncertainty in estimating software development effort and business value. The article’s objective is to study whether analyzing uncertainty during release planning generates better release plans than if uncertainty is ignored. To study this question, we have developed a novel release planning method under uncertainty, called BEARS, that models uncertainty using Bayesian probability distributions and recommends release plans that maximize expected net present value and expected punctuality. We then compare release plans recommended by BEARS to those recommended by methods that ignore uncertainty on 32 release planning problems. The experiment shows that BEARS recommends release plans with higher expected net present value and expected punctuality than methods that ignore uncertainty, thereby indicating the harmful effects of ignoring uncertainty during release planning. These results highlight the importance of eliciting and analyzing uncertainty in software effort and value estimations and call for increased research in these areas.

IMOEA/D to optimize job release problem for a reentrant hybrid flow shop

In a reentrant production system, an effective job release policy is helpful to increase output and keep the work in process (WIP) in an acceptable level. This study mainly focuses on the job release problem in a reentrant hybrid flow shop (RHFS-JRP). First, to increase output and reduce jobs’ waiting time, a mathematical model is formulated to minimize the difference between the actual output and the target output and the total waiting time of jobs jointly. Second, an improved multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (IMOEA/D) is proposed to solve the RHFS-JRP. Third, to generate job release plans effectively, a dual chromosome encoding method indicating release quantities and release intervals is proposed. Fourth, the WIP control mechanism based decoding algorithm is proposed to reduce the total waiting time of jobs without affecting output. Fifth, to avoid falling into the local optimum and ensure the diversity of the population, an adaptive neighborhood updating strategy is proposed. Finally, numerical experiments are performed and the results show that the IMOEA/D can solve the RHFS-JRP effectively.

Order release in production planning and control systems: challenges and opportunities

Production planning and control (PPC) systems are important to the competitiveness of manufacturing firms and their ability to benefit from recent technological advances. We give an overview of research and unsolved research questions in PPC systems related to the order release function that sets output targets for autonomous production units that manage production at the shop-floor level. We describe the hierarchical Manufacturing Planning and Control (MPC) and Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) architectures for PPC systems prevalent in practice and the positioning of the order release task within these frameworks. We then describe the research streams relevant to order release, optimisation models for order release planning, and the relation of these models to the overall PPC system. Modelling the dynamic response of production units to time-varying work input, which represents an extension of classical production theory by incorporating the time dimension, is identified as the major modelling challenge. We conclude by suggesting several unsolved research questions that should encourage researchers to work on this topic which is far from mature.

Reintegrating released and rehabilitated offenders: A case of Windhoek Correctional Facility on Khomas Region, Namibia

National correctional services such as life and social skills aims to rehabilitate and integrate offenders into the communities where they came from with a purpose of balancing societies and enabling offenders to overcome economic, social and personal challenges that may come their way. Such programs have a great impact on society because education thereof denotes change. This study examines the experiences of ex-offenders after being released from lawful custody and sent back to their communities. Using a qualitative approach, designed with convenience and criteria sampling techniques, five (5) released and reintegrated offenders, rehabilitated through vocational education and training. Offenders felt that, families and communities showed rejections. Initial isolation and stigmatization from society was also noted as employers are often reluctant to hire former offenders. In some cases, the absence of stable housing allows an ex-offender to feel a routine in a safe environment. It is recommended that policy makers within the Department of Correctional Services in Windhoek, Namibia should generate and improve on existing policies to help released offenders obtain their self-esteem, confidence and self-respect. It is further recommended that social workers may educate families and societies about the support released offenders need. The Correctional facility should have a better release plan with community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations to make services available after release. Key words: Rehabilitation, integration, isolation, rejection, self-esteem, experiences.

A mathematical model for the formation of the pricing policy and the plan of the production and transport system in a timber-processing enterprise

The formation of supply chains for raw materials is closely related to production problems involving the determination of prices for sold goods. The question often arises about the need to study the sources of raw materials and the methodology for pricing the goods produced, taking into account a large number of external aspects of the market. Often, only particular approaches to solving production problems are considered in the literature, and methods for solving the complex problem of forming supply chains for raw materials and pricing are poorly developed. This paper presents a mathematical model that makes it possible to assess the feasibility of interaction between a timber industry enterprise and a commodity exchange, with the daily formation of a price vector over the entire planning horizon. A two-stage algorithm for finding a suboptimal solution is considered, which at the first stage is based on linear optimization, and at the second, on gradient descent with the use of penalty functions. The model was tested on the data of the commodity and raw materials exchange of Russia and one of the enterprises of the Primorsky Territory. The result of testing was the volume of production of each type of product over the entire planning horizon, the volume of delivery of raw materials from regions to enterprises, as well as the methods of delivery of goods to the consumer and the policy of pricing. It is shown that almost all goods should increase in price due to a reduction in the excess volume of applications (demand) over the entire planning horizon, with the exception of two types of products. It is noted that the exchange can provide the necessary volume of raw materials for high-capacity production, which demonstrates the possibility, if necessary, to increase the volume of raw materials purchases. It is shown which goods will be included in the release plan more often than others when optimizing the price vector. The ways of delivery of final types of products are analyzed. The disadvantages and advantages of the mathematical model and algorithm are presented.

Acoustic investigation of fishery resources in Guanting Reservoir

This project uses acoustic methods to conduct a comprehensive survey of the fishery resources of the Guanting Reservoir. It uses the “Zigzag” survey route based on the actual situation of the reservoir, and uses the scientific fish finder (EK80, Simrad, Norway) as the main survey equipment. Post-processing software (Echoview, Myrix, Australia) analyzes the amount and distribution of biological resources. Statistical analysis of the existing reservoir resources and the spatial distribution of resource density showed that the fishery resources in the central part of the reservoir area are relatively high, the fishery resources in the waters near the dam in the southern reservoir area are second, and the northernmost fishery resources in the northern reservoir area. Resource Fengdu is relatively small. According to the analysis results of acoustic data, combined with the situation of biological sampling, various types of resources are also obtained. This survey provides basic data for the management of reservoir fishery resources and the formulation of enhancement and release plans, and provides a scientific basis for protecting the ecological resources and environment of the Guanting Reservoir.

Lessons Learned from the Pathways to Community Health Study to Evaluate the Transition of Care from Jail to Community for Men with HIV.

Time spent in jail can provide opportunities to deliver comprehensive medical care, including screening and treatment for HIV; however, engagement in HIV care postrelease is often fragmented. Identifying ways to improve the transition of care from jail to community for people with HIV (PWH) may help with engagement in HIV care postrelease. We evaluated the current HIV care transition processes of one jail in Massachusetts and identified change ideas to facilitate improving the transition of care from the jail to the community for PWH. We conducted qualitative interviews in 2018–2019 with incarcerated men with HIV (n = 17), jail staff (n = 7), and community providers (n = 6) to understand the processes of HIV care prerelease from the jail and engagement in care on release. Data from these interviews and quality improvement tools were used to identify ways to improve the release process for PWH, such as using a release planning checklist, to help ensure that a 30-day supply of HIV medication and an appointment with a community provider within 30 days of release were provided. We identified communication process inefficiencies related to knowing release dates between the HIV care team and case managers that prevented providing HIV medications on release. We worked with jail administrators to find ways to improve the prerelease planning process, which is vital to the continuity of successful HIV care. The use of quality improvement methods generated a list of testable change ideas to improve the release planning process to better align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which has implications for PWH and public health.

Assessing Damages to Built and Natural Environments: Linking Hydrodynamic and Geospatial Enviro-Economical Models

In this study, a novel framework was developed to provide a holistic damage assessment caused by severe hydrologic events whether individually or as a compound event. The novel framework uses a developed hurricane-specific water quality model, Environmental Fluid Dynamic Code-Storm Surge model (EFDC-SS) and an ArcGIS-based framework, the Facility Economic Damage and Environmental Release Planning (FEDERAP) to assess damages to the built and natural environment. The developed framework could be used to compare different hurricanes and storms with a focus on land inundation, spill destination in both land and water and their associated risks, as well as economic loss including both physical and secondary losses. The results showed different spreading mechanisms during surge and rainfall-based hurricanes. While storm surge pushed contaminants (from spills) upstream, the rainfall-based hurricane caused a larger footprint of contamination on land. Though different in spreading patterns, spills during both hurricane types can widely spread miles away from the release location in a very short period of time. The FEDERAP economic loss model showed that facility area, average land elevation, the number of storage tanks and process units at the facility, and daily production are key drivers in the calculated total losses for a given hydrologic event.