Rodolfo Miranda de Barros

GAIA risks - a service-based framework to manage project risks

In the last years the software development industry has faced a lot of challenges to create solutions of quality which fit to the market volatility and the constant technology improvements. Thus, the high number of uncertainties leads to high levels of risk, making necessary incorporate, to the software development process, efficient methodologies to manage the risks. In order to make the adoption of these activities simple, this study presents a framework, called GAIA Risks. This framework aims to quantify the risk management within a software development process and, through maturity levels, services and a well-defined deployment process, provide paths for its improvement. To validate the GAIA Risks framework the deployment process was applied into an organization until the risk management activities reach the highest maturity level.

A multicriteria approach to project portfolio selection: Using multiobjective optimization and Analytic Hierarchy Process

This paper presents an approach to solve the problem of project portfolio selection (PSPP) in the presence of limited resources, multiple criteria, different types of projects, constraints, functions to be optimized, interdependent projects, and scenarios with a large number of projects available. For this purpose, it is divided into two stages, one for (i) optimization using the multiobjective algorithm NSGA-II and another (ii) post-optimization using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Among their contributions, we can name (i) a solution to the combinatorial analysis 2n and (ii) the structure of a hierarchy of criteria derived from subjective aspects.

Application of Computational Intelligence to Improve Education in Smart Cities

According to UNESCO, education is a fundamental human right and every nation’s citizens should be granted universal access with equal quality to it. Because this goal is yet to be achieved in most countries, in particular in the developing and underdeveloped countries, it is extremely important to find more effective ways to improve education. This paper presents a model based on the application of computational intelligence (data mining and data science) that leads to the development of the student’s knowledge profile and that can help educators in their decision making for best orienting their students. This model also tries to establish key performance indicators to monitor objectives’ achievement within individual strategic planning assembled for each student. The model uses random forest for classification and prediction, graph description for data structure visualization and recommendation systems to present relevant information to stakeholders. The results presented were built based on the real dataset obtained from a Brazilian private k-9 (elementary school). The obtained results include correlations among key data, a model to predict student performance and recommendations that were generated for the stakeholders.

Knowledge management in a software factory: A case of study applying the tool GAIA - L.A.

With the expansion of information technology the number and the flow of information generated increased. Whit this, the demand for mechanisms to management these data also increased. This article attempts to synthesize this study inside a software factory. The mechanism used for this was a corporate portal, which is an environment capable of providing an aggregated view of information and codified. With this study, together withal the management of knowledge were described eight tools to manage this knowledge, among these, is the tool GAIA lessons learned which was developed and applied at the factory. Withal this knowledge comes to be stored inside the system, creating a historical database of high level.

Visual design checklist for graphical user interface (GUI) evaluation

The1 Graphical User Interface (GUI) design is a major process within the software development lifecycle, because the GUI is the portion of the interface that will be in direct contact with the end-user. There are resources to help make the interface meet recommended usability criteria, but tools focused specifically on the GUI design are lacking. In order to bridge this gap, this study presents the development of a visual design checklist for Graphical User Interface evaluation. The checklist was tested in a two-phase assessment process: the first with HCI professionals and experts, and the second in a make-believe development context. Results show good acceptance among professionals, and suggest the checklist can positively assist development teams meet usability criteria. In conclusion, it is possible to assume the checklist can be a valuable resource to evaluate the Graphical User Interface, thus preventing errors and improving the overall system acceptability by the end-user.

GAIA scope: Framework for the project scope management in software development process

This article presents the initial development of an ongoing project titled GAIA Scope - Framework for management of project scope in the software development process. The idea of developing this framework is based on fact and the existing need in managing scope projects more effectively and efficiently. The framework will be based on guidelines and standards known as COBIT, ITIL, MPS-Br, CMMI and PMBOK The framework will consist of services divided into different maturity levels, which facilitates the implementation and deployment of it. Manage projects is not an easy activity, and coupled to this the project scope management plays a crucial and decisive role in the success of it. This framework can be used in conjunction with other frameworks developed by the time the GAIA Laboratory of the State University of Londrina (UEL), Brazil.

A Practical Approach to Software Continuous Delivery Focused on Application Lifecycle Management.

To deliver quality software continuously is a challenge for many organizations. It is due to factors such as configuration management, source code control, peer-review, delivery planning, audits, compliance, continuous integration, testing, deployments, dependency management, databases migration, creation and management of testing and production environments, traceability and data post-fact, integrated management, process standardization, among others. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents a continuous delivery process that promotes artefacts produced by developers, in a managed fashion, to production environment, allowing bidirectional traceability between requirements and executables, and integrating all activities of software development using the concepts of Application Lifecycle Management. As a result, we obtained an ecosystem of tools and techniques put into production in order to support this process . Keywords–Continuous Delivery; Process Quality; Application Lifecycle Management

Proposal of a model for IT service continuity management

Micro and small companies in the software area now represent more than 90% of organizations in the country and grow 6% annually on average. However, no planning in these companies in business continuity management contributes to their mortality when problems occur as disasters and disruption of system services. The implementation of IT Service Continuity Management as a tool for planning would be the solution. This research presents as is the level of maturity of these companies in a Micro scenario and Small IT companies in Parana companies of Londrina and Cascavel region.

DayByDay: Interactive and Customizable Use of Mobile Technology in the Cognitive Development Process of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was firstly described as a disturbance of affective contact, including language deficiency, social interaction limitation, and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. ASD individuals are to be motivated and encouraged to seek for independence and cognitive development, in order to overcome the restrictions imposed by the disturbance. This paper presents the development of an application aimed specifically at helping ASD children aged 8-12 years improve, by establishing a sequential and highly-customizable routine. Developed with the help of professionals that work with autistic children and their caregivers, the application proves to be a support tool for the ASD individuals’ reality.

THEORY OF CONSTRAINTS APPLIED TO BALANCING OF THE PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY

This paper aims to address the principles and practices of the Theory of Constraints, as a way to analyze the balancing of the portfolio of projects contributing as a tool for Portfolio Management. The main objective was to investigate the main problems of balancing process using the tools of the Theory of Constraints (Theory of Constraints - TOC), which seeks to optimize the production of an organization through the identification of system constraints, minimizing or eliminating the them, and suggest the implementation of changes to improve the overall performance of the portfolio. The results showed that the main constraint was caused by a human resource sharing between design and operation. It was suggested, so the use of tools cited as a solution to the restrictions.