Michał Turek

FIPA Compliant Agent-based Decentralized Expert System

The paper presents the agent-oriented architecture of a decentralised expert system based on FIPA standard. Each agent in the framework can use its own knowledge representation and reasoning strategy, which makes the system flexible and extensible. Interoperability of heterogeneous agents is ensured via common communication protocols, as well as identification and location facilities provided by an agent platform. Realisation of the proposed architecture is based on JADE platform and its description concludes the work.

Multi-project Scrum Methodology for Projects Using Software Product Lines

The article describes a new solution that adapts agile Scrum methodology to function in multi-project environments. The goal of this project is a common software framework which is simultaneously developed by multiple Scrum teams. We focus on a software framework case which is developed for many customers concurrently using a software product line characterized by reusable common functionality. The solution provides a detailed software cost reckoning for commonly developed software components which enables companies to settle software production costs with customers.

Motivation Modeling and Metrics Evaluation of IT Architect Certification Programs

The alignment of university curricula to the needs of the IT industry is a great challenge which needs analysis of various different aspects. IT architecture competencies and skills are very important to parties such as the IT industry, course providers, universities, and of course students. In this paper IT architect certification programs are analyzed as they need to be well-aligned to the needs of the industry. The range of IT architect certification programs on todays market is vast and rather complicated. This article describes a new lightweight method for quickly evaluating IT architect certifications using specially developed data collection methods. The method concentrates on non-domain certification features and introduces metrics which can be used to compare programs with each other. Broad research has been done to identify the most important domain-independent features of certificate programs for IT architects on the employee market today. These features have been selected, evaluated and combined into a metrics formula using a specially developed automated data mining process. The metrics can also be automatically updated in a process called “self-adaptation” after a specified period of time. The whole process assumes that the highest-ranking certificate programs from a previous time period can be used as a reference for establishing domain-independent features in the next period. Each certificate program can currently be evaluated only once per period based on the reference. The proposed solution will deliver a powerful tool for IT architect skill comparison, especially when there are many job candidates with different sets of certification documents to be assessed. The research results are currently being used to design architecture courses at the IT Architecture Academy at the AGH Univ. of Science and Technology.

Stereoscopic 3D Graph Visualization for Assisted Data Exploration and Discovery

Data structures and relations are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to assess and manage. Although automated rules and algorithms can be used for many data-mining tasks, there are still situations where human attention and insight is required to identify unexpected circumstances or unanticipated patterns. Presentation of large quantities of data has always been a challenging task. In this paper a method for representing large graph-based data sets is proposed to help users navigate through large clusters of data. The proposed method is based on a stereoscopic 3D visualization with special enhancements for a large multi node graph visualization. The stereoscopic projection allows for utilization of techniques that can draw users’ attention to particular regions of the graph. The method uses specially established node-node relations to calculate attention drawing factor values for each graph node.

Light-Reflection Analysis Method for 3D Surface Damage Identification

The article introduces a new high resolution 3D mesh comparison method that can be used for 3D object surface analysis. A need of 3D mesh analysis is evident in many procedures in engineering, medical or strictly graphical applications. A typical 3D object scanning process produces a high resolution 3D triangle mesh describing the surface of the object. Surface analysis based on this kind of material is usually complex or inaccurate, because each 3D mesh vertex must be identified, positioned and analyzed. A solution proposed in the paper is focused on using native 3D mesh rendering processes for mesh analysis, especially in the surface damage identification field. 3D graphical acceleration hardware and Pixel/Vertex Shaders technology will be used to prepare sets of 2D images—generated with natively 3D accelerated but specially modified light reflection rendering technique. Images then will be analyzed by comparing their 2D reflections with correct object patterns to find any damage-caused differences. The method has proven very quick to calculate and easy to apply; the test applications were programmed over a standard PC 3D accelerated graphical modules. It can also be flexibly applied, which allows for analyzing only a part of the 3D object surface if needed. Additionally, it can produce very accurate results without any precision lowering mathematical-model assumptions, commonly met and usually necessary to apply in typical 3D triangle mesh analysis.

The Scrum Pricing Model for Developing a Common Software Framework in a Multi-project Environment

The article presents a new pricing model applied in Scrum contracting. The model will introduce an innovative approach to the promotion of software products with reference to their pricing—bounding non-profit features with the classical cost estimation. It will assume a principle of single charge for all components reused in products created for different customers. The model will be applicable mainly in multi-project Scrum environments, but will also support scaled multi-team Scrum development environments (where software development work is allocated to different Scrum teams). It will introduce a complete mechanism for cost estimation, with component pricing procedures (compatible with Scrum estimation methodologies), component reuse tracking and so on. The price offered for software to be developed will depend on its popularity among customers. So, the introduction of a new feature triggered by one customer can be beneficial for all parties taking part in the framework development, with justified share of the price. In such situations a common base for software development pricing techniques must be established. It will depend on different factors, such as: team effort, team velocities, resources and technologies used. To express these values a reference currency will be defined. The model, along with pricing mechanisms presented in the article, can be effectively used in many software products in which software evolution is a core. The pricing efficiency, commonly recognized as a feature of the model, will encourage potential customers to choose a software company that uses it.

Computer Science PhD Program Evaluation Proposal Based on Domain and Non-domain Characteristics

There is increasing interest in PhD studies, also referred to as 3rd level studies. PhD studies for employees in the IT sector should be mostly focused on strategic fields, advances in software engineering, and software system engineering, however IT architecture should also be an important part of these programs. This evaluation of PhD programs is concerned with their width, depth, quality, and value to the IT industry. It is important to distinguish domain and non-domain characteristics when designing PhD studies. This paper is concerned with establishing a part-time doctoral program in computer science in the context of cooperation with the IT industry. The results of analysis and evaluation of part-time studies are described.