Bartłomiej Gawin

Making IT global – what facility management brings to the table?

ABSTRACT Globalization retains an imposing future for the managers of numerous companies, while the global information systems (IS) play a significant role in the connection, collection, access and analysis of information produced in interrelated operations from numerous national markets. The popularity of such systems in textile, manufacturing, finance and supply chain grows, as well as the development of IT support for global services remains a challenge. Through a Participatory Action Research project in a global service provider specialized in Facility Management, we investigated the necessity of introducing a systematic integrative approach by a national company for the Global System Development and approaching the issues emerging in a multinational context. As a result, an expansion model for a globalizing company was synthesized and the issues regarding its application discussed. The cultural differences involved in Facility Management market operation regarding both developing and developed European countries were identified and functionality, non-functional requirements and architecture of a global IS were elaborated. Finally, IS development strategy/development process management is outlined for corporations to achieve and maintain global competitiveness.

Business Intelligence in Facility Management: Determinants and Benchmarking Scenarios for Improving Energy Efficiency

ABSTRACT This study investigates data sources for Business Intelligence solutions, which provide a foundation for holistic analyses, optimization, and forecasting of electrical power consumption within Facility Management for retail facilities networks. A multiple case study among Polish subsidiaries of Sweden, France, and UK-based companies along with a domestic Polish has been conducted. The authors identify, verify, and organize the determinants augmenting an energy efficiency-oriented decision-making process and introduce a set of potential benchmarking scenarios for managing it.

Project Management in International IT Ventures – Does the Practice Go Hand in Hand with Theory?

IT solutions provide international and global businesses with effective means of coordinating local operations and facilitating flow of essential information and knowledge across national borders. The paper focuses on project management challenges regarding development of proprietary IT solution by a multinational facility management company – SESCOM Group. The goal of the paper is to establish inefficiencies regarding development sub-cycles of the solutions within the Agile Business Process Management Model introduced in SESCOM Group. Research incorporates Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, providing insight into current situation of the company as depicted by all stakeholders involved in the research process at baseline analysis stage and highlights discrepancies between practice and theory.

How Close to Reality is the "as-is" Business Process Simulation Model?

Abstract Background and Purpose: Business process simulation (BPS) model is based on real-life data form sources like databases, observations and interviews. It acts as “as-is” business scenario can used for reengineering. The main challenge is to gather relevant data and to develop simulation model. Research aims to elaborate BPS model and to systematically assess how close to reality it is. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research has been performed in Polish telecommunications company. Authors investigate technical process of expanding cellular network. After elaborating “as-is” model, authors use ADONIS simulation tool to run a series simulations and confront simulation results with actual historical events. After this, assessment whether computer simulation model can precisely map real-life business process - and consequently act as credible basis for process improvement - is made. Results: The simulation model has been constructed with data from the WfMS database, observations, staff knowledge and their experience. Fully equipped simulation model is found to allow reconstructing the historical execution of business activity with low margin for error. Some limitation were identified and discussed. Conclusion: BPS is not a popular approach for process reengineering and improvement yet. Data collection issues for BPS that require adopting process mining techniques and additional information sources are among the reasons for that. In our study, computer simulation outputs are compatible with historical events. Hence the model reflects the business reality and can be taken as a reference model while redesigning the process.

Beyond BPMN Data Objects – Method Tailoring and Assessment

Data-related modeling capabilities within Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) are intentionally restricted to being handled within dynamic process perspective and do not enable implementation of individual processes in dedicated workflow engines and/or iterative improvement of process specifications by running simulations using specialized software. Thus, achieving the level of executable processes effectively is largely dependent on the proper selection and introducing notations that are complementary to BPMN. The current paper is aimed at identification of suitable complementary techniques to support the organizations’ business process models with document and data structure-oriented specifications as well as verification of the support for such techniques among future business analysts. Authors develop and exemplify original UML profile for BPMN data object modeling that serves as a basis for acceptance research. Models prepared with the profile are assessed using a questionnaire survey designed in accordance with Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).