Project Methodology Research Articles

An automation solution for evaluating school capital projects based on fuzzy expert system

Evaluating the priority of any school capital project is still considered unique because of its attachment to the fundamental human right, “the right to education”, and the prioritization methodology for school infrastructure projects has yet to be formalized. This paper presents a comprehensive framework and enhances the prioritization process of school infrastructure projects by quantifying project needs. The proposed “school project needs evaluation framework” consists of two parts. The first part describes the input selection process and integration of the fuzzy expert system to evaluate the school project's need as a quantitative term. The fuzzy rule-based system was developed in consultation with domain experts. The second part leverages the fuzzy expert system designed in the first part and quantifies the new school capacity and construction project type. The application steps of the automation solution developed based on the proposed framework are presented using examples.

TECHNOLOGY OF CHOOSING AN EFFECTIVE METHODOLOGY OF IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The dependence of the choice of the optimal IT project management methodology on its successful completion is shown. Choosing a management methodology is one of the first decisions a project manager makes. Each of the existing management methodologies for different types of projects has its own pros and cons. Some are designed for speed of software development, others for full compliance, and still others for creativity and continuous improvement. Choosing the best methodology requires a clear understanding of the positive or negative impact on a particular project. There is no universal methodology, so its choice is made individually for each project, focusing on its goals, scale, complexity, deadlines, professionalism and discipline of the team. This is necessary because some methodologies allow you to speed up development, while others make it more thorough, eliminate the risk of significant problems, errors or product flaws. That is, each management methodology is focused on different aspects and features of projects, therefore, a combination of several methodologies at once is possible. The main objective of the article was to find out to what extent a specific approach meets the goals and characteristics of an IT project. The process of analyzing, evaluating and selecting the appropriate methodology was based on the Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3), an Organizational Project Management Maturity Model. With this in mind, the analysis of the essence and principles of IT project management methodologies and software product creation has been carried out. The most popular of the existing approaches are considered, their content, history of formation, advantages and disadvantages, as well as areas of application for different types of IT projects are determined. Comparison of these approaches was performed according to the selected criteria. A vision of the formation of an integral assessment of the choice of the optimal methodology for a specific IT project has been formed. To automate the adoption of design decisions on the basis of the proposed integral assessment, a technology was proposed for choosing the optimal methodology for the selected design indicators.

Mulheres deslocadas internamente de comunidades étnicas minoritárias na Colômbia, trabalho doméstico e estratégias de resiliência

Abstract This article elaborates on the experience of internally displaced women in Colombia with domestic work and their resilient strategies to improve their situation. With an emphasis on the case of Afro-descendant and indigenous women, the article begins by explaining why women become the main household provider as a result of internal displacement and describes their with domestic work experience. Afterwards, it highlights some of the resilient strategies employed by internally displaced women which could serve as an example for other women going through similar situations. This article is based on data collected between 2014 and 2019 in Colombia following a Constructivist Grounded Theory methodology for my PhD research project, and on the revision of literature available on this topic.

ТОЛЕРАНТНОСТТА ПРЕЗ ПОГЛЕДА НА ДЕЦА В НАЧАЛНОТО УЧИЛИЩЕ

The article presents an analysis of the results of a study conducted in seven schools in the country with children in the third grade. The research was carried out within a form-tutor class, as a part of the approbation of a model for forming personal and social competence (within 6 separate form-tutor classes). The purpose of the study is to establish children’s perspectives about tolerance and empathy, identify children’s skills to manifest respect and compassion, and aid those in need. The main tasks of the study are tracking the reactions of third graders to a problematic situation presented through a case; identifying children’s views on tolerance, empathy, and support for others; establishing children’s abilities to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The results, indicating the positive attitudes of third graders toward providing help and support, exhibiting respect and tolerance, were collected, processed, and analyzed through the research methods projective methodology, and content analysis.

From LiDAR to deep learning: A case study of computer-assisted approaches to the archaeology of Guadalupe and northeast Honduras

Abstract Archaeologists are interested in better understanding matters of our human past based on material culture. The tools we use to approach archaeological research questions range from the trowel and brush to, more recently, even those of artificial intelligence. As access to computing technology has increased over time, the breadth of computer-assisted methods in archaeology has also increased. This proliferation has provided us a considerable toolset towards engaging both new and long-standing questions, especially as interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, computer scientists, and engineers continues to grow. As an example of an archaeological project engaging in computer-based approaches, the Guadalupe/Colón Archaeological Project is presented as a case study. Project applications and methodologies range from the regional-scale identification of sites using a geographic information system (GIS) or light detection and ranging (LiDAR) down to the microscopic scale of classifying ceramic materials with convolutional neural networks. Methods relating to the 3D modeling of sites, features, and artifacts and the benefits therein are also explored. In this paper, an overview of the methods used by the project is covered, which includes 1) predictive modeling using a GIS slope analysis for the identification of possible site locations, 2) structure from motion (SfM) drone imagery for site mapping and characterization, 3) airborne LiDAR for site identification, mapping, and characterization, 4) 3D modeling of stone features for improved visualization, 5) 3D modeling of ceramic artifacts for more efficient documentation, and 6) the application of deep learning for automated classification of ceramic materials in thin section. These approaches are discussed and critically considered with the understanding that interdisciplinary cooperation between domain experts in engineering, computer science, and archaeology is an important means of improving and expanding upon digital methodologies in archaeology as a whole.

Data-driven urban regeneration: university housing in the ex-Corradini factory in Naples

This paper develops a decision-making methodology for urban regeneration projects based on the use of data-driven procedures and technologies for the conversion of former industrial areas to residential use. The proposed approach is aimed at the elaboration of an information management protocol for the generation of design scenarios, starting from the assessment of the regulatory and technical compatibility of the possible transformations with the existing constraints. This paper describes the application of the methodology to several buildings in the ex-Corradini complex in Naples to be used for different types of residential functions, in a framework of high uncertainty and complexity, also due to the inaccessibility and abandonment of the site.

Integration of AI Supported Risk Management in ERP Implementation

The objective of this paper is to show the possibilities for the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in risk assessment methodology for ERP projects. Both AI and ERP being solutions built around data, it is of great importance how this data is organized and processed, and how it can be used on the one hand to manage the business process in a more efficient way and on the other to address risk factors that might compromise the ERP system in a way, which standard risk assessment methodologies might miss. AI can add value to such risk assessment methodology as it can process large amounts of data and even automize repetitive and heavy load risk management steps. AI can allow risk managers to respond faster to new and emerging threats in an ERP project. By acting in real time and with some predictive capabilities, AI supported risk management could reach a new level in improving the managers’ decision-making for building the ERP system of the company. The literature review is given of the main AI and machine learning techniques of benefit to risk management and ERP projects. Then an analysis, using current practice and empirical evidence, is carried out of the application of these techniques to the risk management fields in implementing an ERP system. The paper also presents a showcase of how Bulgarian companies address the issues of risk assessment and AI implementation in it to build ERP systems.

The new educational project Televascular Games during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic.

ObjectiveTo report methodology and first-year results of a new educational project called “Televascular Games”, which took place during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsComplex aneurysmal aortic disease was discussed during a 2-hour competition webinar, according to three modalities. 1) Planning case competition (PCC): 2-4 pre-operative Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) scans of an already performed selected case were submitted for the competition. CTA-scans were anonymously uploaded, without any reference to the center or the surgeon who performed the case. The competitor had to prepare a presentation of how he/she would have diagnosed, sized, planned, treated and followed up the case, of the medical therapy and of the bail-out maneuvers. 2) Challenging case competition (CCC): the competitor elaborates a presentation of an already treated case concerning an aortic topic and discusses sizing, planning, treatment, possible bail-out maneuvers and obtained results. For the CCC and PCC, the competitors with the best score were pre-selected to present and discuss their plan during the webinars. 3) Quiz competition (QZ): 2-6 angio-CTA scans of already performed selected aortic cases were submitted for the competition. A quiz with multiple-choice questions was answered by the competitors. The top four competitors were selected for the webinars and then they discussed the cases during the webinar. Finally, at the end of the case-discussion, the effective case resolution and follow-up were shown. A final winner was voted via televoting, based on six pre-established criteria. The project was endorsed by different National and International Societies.ResultsBetween October-2020 and December-2021, there were 12 Italian and 1 international webinars with overall 1695 participants (mean 130, range:86-177). Competitors were 54 (mean age 27, range 22-38 years). Two editions were CCCs, two QZs, and nine PCCs. The reliability of the inter-observer sizing of competitors was k=.43 and k=.62 for the proximal and distal sealing measurements respectively and very good (k =.88-.95) in the evaluation of orientation of the vessels, presence of angulations, calcifications and thrombus. The sizing discrepancy resulted in a significant variability of the planning (k=.45). The project ranked 9.6 in a “10-point” rating scale by all the participants and competitorsConclusionsThe formula of gaming and collegial discussion of aortic cases herein reported has proved valid and attractive during COVID-19 pandemic period. The variability of the results on sizing and planning suggested to confer with a second opinion especially for less experienced surgeons.

Enhancing participatory research with young children through comic-illustrated ethnographic field notes

Conducting research with young participants presents numerous challenges, particularly in terms of representation as the researcher endeavours to listen to children’s voices in order to understand and portray their perspectives accurately. Since the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child established children have the right to express their views and have these taken seriously in matters that affect them, researchers have developed a variety of multimodal methods to capture the children’s perspectives. The aim of this paper is to describe an innovative methodological approach to recording ethnographic observations of young children (aged four to six) through a visual mode: the cartoon. The article describes the methodology of a specific research project that explored young children’s communicative practices in a super-diverse environment. Adopting a flexible approach to research and putting children’s suggestions into practice led to the co-production cartoons that used the participants’ self-portraits to visually portray the researcher’s written observations of the children. The paper presents vignettes, evidencing how the use of self-portraits meant the cartoons were more engaging, held greater personal significance and opened up spaces for dialogue, leading the researcher to uncover deeper insights. This has important implications for any research that endeavours to listen to the participants’ perspectives, but where verbal or written forms of communication are impeded.

Dual Master’s Programs as a Tool for the Formation of a Single Educational Space of the EAEU

The relevance of the topic of the article is due to the key role of higher education in the formation of the necessary compe tencies for the scientific, technological and industrial sphere of the economy of a modern state.Aim. The purpose of the article is to consider the methodological and practical issues of designing double degree master’s programs in the field of business education as one of the effective tools for the formation of a single educational space of the Eurasian Economic Union. The issues of development and implementation of joint educational programs are considered on the example of an international educational project developed at the Department of Business Informatics of the North-Western Institute of Management of the RANEPA. A substantive description of the project is given, the choice of a partner organization is substantiated, criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the project implementation are formulated.Tasks. Give a meaningful description of the international educational project (relevance, relevance, structure, methodology and methodological novelty, competencies being formed, etc.), justify the choice of a partner organization and formulate criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of an educational project.Methods. System approach and expert-analytical methods of research (flow methods of expertise, expert assessments).Results. The proposed methodological approach to the implementation of educational projects in the format of double diplomas allows solving the problems of internationalization of higher education, forming systems thinking, skills in working with large amounts of data and modern application packages, making non-standard decisions in the economy among students of master’s programs based on modern learning technologies. The conceptual level of the proposed approach is formed by the concepts of student-centered learning, building an individual learning trajectory for undergraduate students. The process-methodological level of the proposed approach allows the introduction of modern innovative network technologies for the implementation of the content of the disciplines of the economic mathematical cycle and the cycle of information technology, the adaptation of national educational systems to international standards and the formation of a competitive educational environment.Conclusions. The priority areas for the implementation of international educational projects are: transferring international programs to the status of network programs implemented with leading universities (including the development of double diploma programs); bringing international programs to European quality standards and requirements of international accreditation agencies; passing the international joint professional and public accreditation of international educational programs.

Corporate planning as a tool for the implementation of national industrial policy

The article formulates a number of key requirements for the development of strategic plans for the development of domestic corporations. The special importance of the consistency of corporate and state industrial development programs is emphasized. The main stages of corporate management actions to take into account the priorities of the national industrial policy are outlined. The features of the program-target (project) methodology of corporate planning are characterized. The main stages of the development of corporate plans, including for integrated structures, are recommended. The main provisions on the planning of production, sales and innovation activities of companies are considered. An algorithm for determining prospective production volumes is proposed. The actions of corporate management to improve the marketing policy of the business are characterized. The importance of the logistics component in the implementation of corporate programs is emphasized.

Red‐Teaming as a Research Validation Method for Systems Engineering Thesis Students

AbstractAll research projects need a forward path method for performing the investigation, making findings and reaching conclusions. In addition, project methodology must include methods that test the truth of the knowledge claimed to have been developed through the project. We address the specific issue of validation in thesis projects in systems engineering (SE) programs where the intended outcome is either an application of SE method or an investigation of a topic in SE. We present red‐teaming (RTing) as a validation method for results of SE research. We discuss two case studies of thesis projects which used a RTing method to evaluate a proposed method for doing something. From this we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the RTing method in thesis projects and provide guidelines for use of RTing as a project outcomes evaluation method. We conclude RTing is a useful method to evaluate a thesis project which generates a design or a method because it uses a method not directly influenced by the student's assumptions in the design of the project. The RTing method is constrained by the challenges of finding willing red‐team (RT) members, project schedule, and the RT member's knowledge of the subject.

Pedagogical engineering: methodological outline of the project of the Minin University

Introduction. The design of the "School of Pedagogical Engineering and Engineering Thinking" at Minin University in partnership with high-tech enterprises of the Nizhny Novgorod region presents a methodological outline (outline of the "necessary future" of the university), showing the frame of a new subject of scientific and educational interaction between pedagogical education and the scientific and technological sphere of the region in the format of a unique educational and technological platform for the formation of scientific and technological elite of the Russian Federation in the digital economy. Aim: the purpose of the article is to present and scientifically substantiate the conceptual idea of the project about the creation of new organizational and managerial mechanisms of interaction between the sphere of continuous pedagogical advanced education and high-tech production, aimed at the formation of an engineering type of thinking and the relationship of education, science and production within the framework of spatial co[1]organization and scientific and educational collaboration of participants in educational relations in Technograd format, combining practice-oriented science and science-oriented practice of continuous pedagogical education, which makes the educational reality itself - pedagogical, organizational, managerial, scientific and technological as the subject of its research, analysis and transformation.Materials and Methods. The basis of scientific research and scientific and methodological support of the project of the school of pedagogical engineering and engineering thinking, created and implemented in the conditions of management of the development of the university of pedagogical profile is project methodology and philosophy (futurodesign), as well as project management experiment.Results. The project "School of Pedagogical Engineering and Engineering Thinking" has been developed, the ontology of which reveals the forms and principles of "unity" and unification of the educational and scientific-technological spheres of human existence and human activity. A new methodology has been designed to train a STEAM teacher with competencies in the implementation of interdisciplinary and meta–subject approaches, the use of technological solutions in the process of cognition and transformation of the world. The scientific novelty of the research results is characterized by the application of a transdisciplinary approach and the principles of project[1]network, scientific and educational collaboration to the creation of a new subject area of pedagogical science and educational practice "Pedagogical Engineering", providing an effective combination of fundamental and practice-oriented research, psychological and pedagogical knowledge and scientific and technological means of high-tech industries aimed at humanization educational processes and the pedagogy of society as a whole.Discussion and Conclusions. The practical significance of the research is determined by the fact that the developed project creates mechanisms and conditions for the network co-organization of organizational, managerial, scientific and methodological resources for the transformation of pedagogical education in the region, the implementation of the interdisciplinary direction of humanitarian and technological pedagogical education for the training of teachers - professionals of a new generation, and also represents the organizational and managerial mechanism of horizontal interaction of higher education and general education organizations with high-tech companies on the principle of "education – science – production – practice".

Planning a project applying the Scrum framework

Currently, Scrum is one of the most recognized and used methodologies in agile project management. The main objective of this article is to analyze the planning phase in an agile project, integrating the life cycle of the Scrum framework and the Deming cycle that allows to identify, define and specify the processes and techniques to be managed during said phase. An applied research is proposed, under a case study according to the nature of the disciplinary area. On the other hand, in addition to this, the opportunity to apply this framework in daily life has been identified. Contributing, mainly as a contribution to the line of knowledge generation in the scientific field of applied research of agile methodologies in life projects. In the same way, a path is left in the scientific study to integrate continuous improvement in the implementation of the Scrum framework.

Assessment of Factors Affecting Contractors Tendering Success for Construction Projects in North-Central Nigeria

The challenge of construction tendering process is a common theme in developing countries especially Nigeria. Tendering process is often tedious, multitasking and complex. Contractors have the responsibility of tendering appropriately for construction projects; and clients as well as consultants have a duty to create an enabling platform for a successful tendering process. This study examines the factors affecting contractors tendering success for construction projects in North-Central Nigeria with an aim to harmonizing the perception of the construction professionals. Semi-structured questionnaires comprising of fifty-five (55) questions retrieved from literature were categorized into six (6) groups which are project characteristics, business benefits, capabilities, bidding situation, client related factors and external environment related factors. The data were retrieved from 299 respondents out of 384 respondents requisite for this study. Frequency, Percentile and Mean Index Score (MIS) were used to analyze the responses. Results indicated a level of agreement among the stakeholders on the top eleven (11) contractors tendering success factors and concludes that expansion of organization expertise, tendering capabilities, flexibility for changes and variations, number of competitors, project difficulties, design constructability, project methodology, tender document detailing, client reputation, involvement of other parties and political consideration to be the top factors affecting contractors tendering success. The practical implication of this is that, there is a broader understanding of the topmost factors affecting contractors tendering success among the stakeholders within the North-Central region of Nigeria. The study recommended that reasonably sufficient time should be given to examine project characteristic in order for the contractors to assess their suitability for every construction projects they intend to tender for. Furthermore, construction design approach, bidding process and project methodology should be properly delineated to all the stakeholders by the client to eliminate vagueness in the tendering process and subsequently, project delivery process.

Culture-led urban regeneration and local expectations of urban void renewal in eastern Lisbon

This article will analyze the ongoing culture-led regeneration processes of abandoned, informal and vacant areas, often considered by residents, local associations, and public officials to be urban voids. Our territorial framework is in Marvila, a semi-peripheral riverside area in Lisbon, strongly affected by informal activities, high levels of youth unemployment, an elderly population, and the existence of urban spaces with non-planned uses, seen as undesirable by the local ecosystem of stakeholders and particularly by residents. Our analysis will be centered around a social and spatial understanding of Lisbon’s municipal urban policy (funded by the 3.5.6. program of the European Union on Cultural Heritage), which has supported the reoccupation of some these so-called urban voids. We will focus on the use of a Pilot Project methodology, its exploratory and prototype nature, the local bureaucratic planning system, and the soft Planning techniques implemented as new ways of addressing long-term decayed and informal urban spaces. We will examine the regeneration results of two EU-H2020 funded pilot projects, under the ROCK project, which supports this research. The first pilot project “Loja Com Vida” (“store with life” or “store invites”), supports the municipal objective of creating a new urban centrality in Marvila, encouraging a diversification of its users, operationalizing the reuse of municipal ground floor spaces. The second project, “Jardim para Todos” (‘Garden for all’), corroborates a municipal urban policy on environmental sustainability goals, promoting, with the help of local agents, a learning and sharing process centered around green knowledge and the creation of a future agriculture hub and leisure area. The acknowledgment of these pilot project results will constitute an interesting case study for other urban areas with similar conditions, incorporating a better understanding of participative urban regeneration processes, outside the traditional and formal planning perspectives and achievements.

The methodology and dataset of the coscience eeg-personality project – a large-scale, multi-laboratory project grounded in cooperative forking paths analysis

Despite a plethora of research, associations between individual differences in personality and electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters remain poorly understood due to concerns of low replicability and insufficiently powered data analyses due to relatively small effect sizes. The present article describes how a multi-laboratory team of EEG-personality researchers aims to alleviate this unsatisfactory status quo. In particular, the present article outlines the design and methodology of the project, provides a detailed overview of the resulting large-scale dataset that is available for use by future collaborators, and forms the basis for consistency and depth to the methodology of all resulting empirical articles. Through this article, we aim to inform researchers in the field of Personality Neuroscience of the freely available dataset. Furthermore, we assume that researchers will generally benefit from this detailed example of the implementation of cooperative forking paths analysis.

Social Wellbeing by Design: IT Solution for Children Mental Health Problems in Urban Poverty of Klang Valley

In recent years, Malaysia’s urban poverty has been seen as increasingly apparent because of urbanization. Children under the age of 18 are some of the most affected groups in urban poor communities facing a variety of daily problems and challenges. Growing up in this environment ultimately affects their mental health. This study was conducted to investigate children’s mental health problems in the urban poverty community of the Klang Valley area. Based on the desk research conducted, we have found children are vulnerable to mental health issues and more susceptible if coming from an urban poverty background. Available intervention systems are insufficient and non-accessible. The main objective of this study is to adapt the soft system methodology for Community IT-Based project. The method involved using action research. Postgraduate students in Information Technology from a public university in Malaysia taking the problem-solving course for information technology had applied the soft system methodology in their group project. Using Soft System Methodology (SSM), the phenomenon is studied to explore the issues systematically, untie hidden relationships of involved stakeholders and suggest an ideal solution. We propose the Public Mental Health Booth with telehealth and online tips services, bridging the gap between children in need of professional help to the professionals themselves. The conceived solution integrates social wellbeing by design, which promotes security and empowerment for a possible positive behavioral change. The main contribution and motivation for this study are in the form of adaptation of SSM to the local context as a case study in guiding future research and application for Community IT-Based Projects. This research supports Sustainable Development Goals on Quality Education and Good Health and Well-Being.

Healthcare Social Welfare Conceptual Model for Community IT-based Project

In general, the Malaysian government has created the People's Housing Project (PPR) which is a People's Housing Program that aims to balance the basic housing needs of Malaysians in the B40 group (low-income group) while protecting their human rights to a good life. The main objective of this study is to adapt the soft system methodology for Community IT-Based project. The method involved using action research. Postgraduate students in Information Technology from a public university in Malaysia taking the problem-solving course for information technology had applied the soft system methodology in their group project. The case study involved one local People's Housing Project (PPR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia focusing on the children’s health issues. The outcome of the project was a proposed Healthcare Social Welfare Conceptual Model for Community IT-based Project. This research supports Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health and Well-Being and Quality Education.

Virtual Expeditions Facilitated by Open Source Solutions Broaden Student Participation in Natural History Research.

From its genesis in the Victorian era as an activity for the elite to today's emphasis on "Big Data" and continuous monitoring, natural history has a prominent role in scientific discoveries for many fields. However, participation in field expeditions is limited by funding, space, accessibility, and safety constraints. Others have detailed the active exclusion of minoritized groups from field expeditions and harm/discrimination faced by the few who do participate, but we provide one solution to broaden opportunities for participation in natural history: Virtual Expeditions. Virtual Expeditions are broadly defined as open source, web-facilitated research activities designed to analyze bulk-collected digital data from field expeditions that require visual human interpretation. We show two examples here of their use: an independent research-based analysis of snake behavior and a course-based identification of invertebrate species. We present a guide to their appropriate design, facilitation, and evaluation to result in research grade data. We highlight the importance of open source technology to allow for longevity in methodology and appropriate quality control measures necessary for projects that include dozens of researchers over multiple years. In this perspective, we specifically emphasize the prominent role that open source technology plays in making these experiences feasible and scalable. Even without explicit design as broadening participation endeavors, Virtual Expeditions allow for more inclusive participation of early career researchers with specific participatory limitations. Not only are Virtual Expeditions integral to the large-scale analysis necessary for field expeditions that generate impossibly enormous datasets, but they can also be effective facilitators of inclusivity in natural history research.