C.C. van Waveren

A time domain approach to load reconstruction for durability testing

Abstract Multi-axial fatigue situations, as are typical in automotive structures, require reconstruction of operational load conditions by means of a multi-axis servo-hydraulic simulator to enable a realistic durability test. The control of such simulators has traditionally been achieved by using a frequency domain transfer function model of the system, which requires Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. A new time domain based formulation, which averts the need for FFT analysis, has been developed to control such multi-axis simulators. The traditional transfer function has been replaced by a state space model, which is identified in the time domain using parametric dynamic system identification techniques. Simplicity has been the overwhelming feature in the time domain formulation when compared with the frequency domain method. This paper describes the fundamentals of multi-axis servo-hydraulic simulator control and expands on the time domain formulation. A case study is presented in which a simple four-post road simulator was used for a life cycle durability test on a small pick-up truck.

A process framework for customising software quality models

The quality objective of many software organisations is to deliver software products that meet and or exceed customer expectations. The key to achieving this is to capture these expectations at the beginning of the project by clearly defining all quality requirements. The characteristics particularly defined in ISO/IEC 9126-1 (2001) provide the framework for specifying quality requirements. The ISO/IEC 9126-1 quality model is intended to be applicable to any type of software product or intermediate product. Before application this model needs to be tailored to a specific software and specific need. Since these characteristics cannot be directly measured this makes it difficult to directly prioritise and choose the most relevant characteristics and sub-characteristics. Hence a process framework that will link these characteristics and sub- characteristics to user needs is required. This will in turn help customise software quality models like ISO/IEC 9126-1 (2001) and other general software quality models. A process framework for customising software quality models is proposed in the text and it is further shown how this framework was applied in a real working environment in an attempt to quantitatively validate it. The results collected in the study showed that the framework could be used reliably in customising a generic software quality model at characteristic level only. The deviations at sub-characteristic level were due to unclear questions in the generated Generic Quality Questionnaire that resulted in misunderstandings. And the metrics used to create these questions were not fully tested for validity and reliability due to time constraints. Enhancements are discussed in the study and it is further shown how reliability can also be achieved at sub-characteristic level.

An improved model for quantifying an organisational quality culture

Implementing a successful quality management system demands a paradigm shift from the traditional management practices (planning, organising, leading and controlling) to a focus on continual improvement. A specific challenge for organisations is to adapt their organisational culture to a quality culture. However, it would appear that cultural issues are vaguely defined, if at all, and that little attention is afforded by organisations when implementing a quality system. A literature review provided only one quality culture model consisting of five critical success factors. This study explored the concept of culture, organisational culture and quality culture. Forty-two elements of a quality culture were identified and incorporated into a modified model. The model developed as a result of this study can be used to identify opportunities for management intervention, ultimately building a stronger culture supporting the never-ending goal of continual improvement. Future research could focus on validating the model through comparative studies in organisations in the form of survey questionnaires or structured (or semi-structured) interviews and expanding the model to include a focus on specific organisational values.

Extended critical success factor model for management of multiple projects : an empirical view from Transnet in South Africa

Transnet Freight Rail in South Africa has faced projects delays in its multi-project environment. This study takes South Africa as representative of developing countries, and develops the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) model for multiple projects success, with the goal of expanding the conventional model by adding the demographic characteristics of the business units involved in the multiple projects. The empirical results showing the greatest number of success factors are people-related, with the focus on team selection and team commitment. Two demographic characteristics are of importance when managing multiple projects: the size of the business unit, and the employees’ project experience. OPSOMMING Transnet, ‘n spoorvragentiteit in Suid-Afrika, ondervind gereeld projekvertragings in hul multi-projekomgewing. Suid-Afrika, as ‘n voorbeeld van ontwikkelende lande, word in die studie gebruik en hierdie studie ontwikkel ‘n reeks suksesfaktore vir ‘n multi-projekomgewing deur ‘n bestaande konvensionele model aan te pas om ook die demografiese eienskappe van die verskillende besigheidseenhede betrokke in die organisasie te inkorporeer. Die resultaat van die studie wys dat die grootste aantal suksesfaktore mensgeorienteerd is, met die fokus op die samestelling en toewyding van die betrokke projekspanne. Twee demografiese eienskape is belangrik by die bestuur van multi-projekte, naamlik die grootte van die besigheidseenheid asook projekondervinding van die werknemers.

A longitudinal study of the indicators and factors for successful six sigma deployment in the South African mining industry

The Six Sigma deployment methodology is known for its results in operational excellence associated with improved business practices. Organisations worldwide have shown significantly reduced costs and increased profits when successfully deploying Six Sigma. This paper reports a longitudinal study of a set of indicators and success factors for Six Sigma deployment, using Lonmin PLC, a mining company in South Africa, as a case. The results suggest a shift of indicators from heartfelt personal involvement in 2006 to a mechanistic performance-based culture in 2010. Practical recommendations are made regarding the nine success factor components to be included during Six Sigma deployment.

The implementation of TQM in the component supply chain: A case study in the South African Motor Industry

The South African motor industry has flourished over the past two decades. During these years, many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have chosen South Africa as one of the countries to establish their plants. Local vehicle sales are not the driving factor of this large investment in South Africa, as many vehicles are exported to other countries. South African assembled vehicles are now competing on a global market. A study was conducted in the automotive industry of South Africa, utilising the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) database in South Africa, to investigate the differences in first tier and second tier suppliers in terms of the organisational profiles of these companies, the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles in their plants and how the companies missions and goals are structured around the customers needs. The research methodology comprised a literature review, and an empirical study based on a questionnaire forwarded to automotive companies in South Africa. A number of conclusions could be reached from the study as differences between first and second tier supplier in general irrespective of whether the suppliers uses TQM or not.

An implementation framework for a quality management system in an academic department at a tertiary educational institution

An academic department at a higher educational institution that wishes to provide a customer focused product or service in a consistent way has to put a more prominent and official management system in place. Such a system will bring about synergy between academic and supporting functions, and will also link the different academic and support processes to customer and stakeholder requirements through a set of management system requirements. Currently, tertiary education institutions throughout South Africa, as well as in the rest of the world, focus their quality efforts on the quality assurance of academic programs, but not necessarily on the effective and efficient implementation and utilization of all processes that deliver those educational programs. Since the first introduction of the concept of total quality management, as well as the latest international ISO9000:2000 quality management system standard, quality has moved away from the traditional focus of assurance to that of ensuring quality, through the effective and efficient management of all business processes. As a step to move from quality assurance to ensuring quality, a holistic implementation framework for a quality management system, based on the ISO9000:2000 series of quality management system standards, is proposed that will enable an academic department at a higher education institution to provide a customer focused product or service in a consistent way, by focusing on the core business processes that deliver the service.

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF SMALL- TO MEDIUM-SIZED PROJECTS IN A SOUTH AFRICAN MINING COMPANY

Projects that fail, for whatever reason, can impact negatively on society, organisations, and other stakeholders. A number of researchers have identified various critical success factors (CSFs) that can influence the outcome and success of a project. This research therefore aims to determine the CSFs that influence various success measures of small- to medium-sized projects at a South African mining company, Exxaro Resources’ Grootegeluk Coal Mine. Other objectives of this research include determining the extent of the impacts of these CSFs on the different success measures of a project. The investigation suggests that there are correlations among CSFs, and that certain factors impact the outcome of projects far more than others. This research finds that the single most important CSF for small- to medium-sized projects is the selection of a competent project manager. The competent project manager is characterised by a group of interrelated CSF factors: good leadership, commitment, and learning from past experiences. Based on the research results, other CSFs are discussed and explored in order for recommendations to be made on how this mining company, and possibly other organisations, can achieve greater project success.

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF FACTORS AND COGNISANT MEASURES FOR PROJECT QUALITY IN THE DESIGN PHASE: A CASE OF BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND ENGINEERING SERVICES OF BOTSWANA

There were numerous complaints regarding the quality of building projects performed by the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) in Botswana. This empirical study has two objectives: first, to evaluate participants in DBES projects by using 16 identified factors in the project design phase that may influence the quality of building projects; second, to explore the inter-relationships between the 16 factors in the project design phase and the five measures of which the design phase takes cognisance. The study applied a quantitative research methodology. A total of 115 survey questionnaires were distributed to collect data. A descriptive and a multivariate analysis was performed. OPSOMMING In Botswana was daar verskeie klagtes ontvang aangaande die kwaliteit van bouprojekte soos uitgevoer deur die Departement van Bou- en Ingenieursdienste (DBES) in Botswana. Twee doelwitte is vir hierdie studie gestel: Eerstens om deelnemers in DBES projekte te evalueer aan die hand van 16 geidentifiseerde faktore ten opsigte van die kwaliteit van bouprojekte tydens die ontwerpfase van hierdie projekte; en tweedens om die verwantskap te ondersoek tussen die 16 faktore in die ontwerpfase van bouprojekte en die vyf maatstawwe wat tydens die ontwerpfase in aanmerking geneem word. ‘n Kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodiek is tydens hierdie studie gebruik, waar ‘n totaal van 115 vraelyste uitgestuur is. ‘n Beskrywende en meerveranderlike analise is uitgevoer.

The use of decision-making tools in end-of-life decisions: A case study in the South African petro-chemical industry

Infrastructure assets are aging, therefore ongoing maintenance and renewal of that infrastructure has become much more significant. Sound asset management decisions that are based on a thorough understanding of the modern business context are needed. When it comes to the decision to dispose of assets, managers tend to avoid making the final decision, sometimes mothballing the asset and leaving it to self-destruct. This could cause either safety hazards at a plant or environmental neglect. In many organisations there is a clear divide between the project teams and operations teams. The project teams responsibility ends when the asset reaches beneficial operation. The operations team then becomes the “owner” of the asset. During the operational phase of an asset, decisions typically include cost, risk and performance as tradeoffs in the decision criteria. This happens in an ever changing business and technological environment. Decisions regarding the use of assets can be made at any stage of the asset life-cycle and at various levels of an organisation. The renewal or decommissioning phase of the asset life-cycle is perhaps just as important as an initial establishment decision as it is another stage that large capital amounts are committed, given the risk that a poor decision can carry a heavy penalty for many years to come. To assess whether decision-making models and tools are effectively used in industry to make asset disposal decisions, a survey was conducted within a large petro-chemical organisation in South Africa. A survey was chosen to conduct this research as the maximum feedback could then be obtained within a limited timeframe. A number of conclusions could be reached from the study with regards to the use of decision making models and tools at different departments and different levels of the organisation.