scholarly journals Multi-criteria methods for ranking project activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yossi Hadad ◽  
Baruch Keren ◽  
Zohar Laslo

This paper presents multi-criteria methods for ranking project activities according to several ranking indexes. The methods are based on the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and on the use of common ranking indexes. This paper reviews ranking indexes of project activities for project management tasks. The ranking of project activities in one project is applicable for focusing the attention of the project manager on important activities. The selection of the appropriate ranking indexes should be done in accordance with managerial purposes: 1) Paying attention to activities throughout the execution phase and in the resources allocation process, in order meet pre-determined qualities, and to deliver the project on time and within budget, i.e., to accomplish the project within the "iron triangle" 2) Setting priorities in order to share the managerial care and control among the activities. The paper proposes to use multi-criteria ranking methods in order to rank the activities in a case where several ranking indexes are selected.

Author(s):  
Majid Azadi ◽  
Mohammad Izadikhah ◽  
Fahimeh Ramezani ◽  
Farookh Khadeer Hussain

Abstract The rapid development of cloud computing and the sharp increase in the number of cloud service providers (CSPs) have resulted in many challenges in the suitability and selection of the best CSPs according to quality of service requirements. The main objective of this study is to propose three novel models based on the enhanced Russell model to increase the discrimination power in the evaluation and selection of CSPs. The proposed models are designed based on the distances to two special decision-making units (DMUs), namely the ideal DMU and the anti-ideal DMU. There are two advantages to the proposed ranking methods. First, they consider both pessimistic and optimistic scenarios of data envelopment analysis, so they are more equitable than methods that are based on only one of these scenarios. The second strength of this approach is its discrimination power, enabling it to provide a complete ranking for all CSPs. The proposed method can help customers to choose the most appropriate CSP while at the same time, it helps software developers to identify inefficient CSPs in order to improve their performance in the marketplace.


Author(s):  
A.G. Filipova ◽  
A.V. Vysotskaya

The article presents the results of mathematical experiments with the system «Social potential of childhood in the Russian regions». In the structure of system divided into three subsystems – the «Reproduction of children in the region», «Children’s health» and «Education of children», for each defined its target factor (output parameter). The groups of infrastructure factors (education, health, culture and sport, transport), socio-economic, territorial-settlement, demographic and en-vironmental factors are designated as the factors that control the system (input parameters). The aim of the study is to build a model îf «Social potential of childhood in the Russian regions», as well as to conduct experiments to find the optimal ratio of the values of target and control factors. Three waves of experiments were conducted. The first wave is related to the analysis of the dynam-ics of indicators for 6 years. The second – with the selection of optimal values of control factors at fixed ideal values of target factors. The third wave allowed us to calculate the values of the target factors based on the selected optimal values of the control factors of the previous wave.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105971232199468
Author(s):  
Paolo Pagliuca ◽  
Stefano Nolfi

We introduce a method that permits to co-evolve the body and the control properties of robots. It can be used to adapt the morphological traits of robots with a hand-designed morphological bauplan or to evolve the morphological bauplan as well. Our results indicate that robots with co-adapted body and control traits outperform robots with fixed hand-designed morphologies. Interestingly, the advantage is not due to the selection of better morphologies but rather to the mutual scaffolding process that results from the possibility to co-adapt the morphological traits to the control traits and vice versa. Our results also demonstrate that morphological variations do not necessarily have destructive effects on robots’ skills.


Dramatherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026306722110208
Author(s):  
Claire Anne Quigley

The Covid-19 restrictions have limited the access of face-to face therapies for many people and continues to effect how Dramatherapists operate. The following article offers reflections around adapting to an on-line medium, focusing more specifically around the software of ProReal. Limitations and considerations are acknowledged, including technological difficulties, computer efficacy, ambiguity tolerance and the need for careful contracting and reassurance of autonomy and control when using on-line platforms. The article ends with a short selection of vignettes from ProReal sessions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2615
Author(s):  
Junqing Wang ◽  
Wenhui Zhao ◽  
Lu Qiu ◽  
Puyu Yuan

Since application of integrated energy systems (IESs) has formed a markedly increasing trend recently, selecting an appropriate integrated energy system construction scheme becomes essential to the energy supplier. This paper aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model for the evaluation and selection of an IES construction scheme equipped with smart energy management and control platform. Firstly, a comprehensive evaluation criteria system including economy, energy, environment, technology and service is established. The evaluation criteria system is divided into quantitative criteria denoted by interval numbers and qualitative criteria. Secondly, single-valued neutrosophic numbers are adopted to denote the qualitative criteria in the evaluation criteria system. Thirdly, in order to accommodate mixed data types consisting of both interval numbers and single-valued neutrosophic numbers, the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) method is extended into a three-stage technique by introducing a fusion coefficient μ. Then, a real case in China is evaluated through applying the proposed method. Furthermore, a comprehensive discussion is made to analyze the evaluation result and verify the reliability and stability of the method. In short, this study provides a useful tool for the energy supplier to evaluate and select a preferred IES construction scheme.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunsoo Huh ◽  
Jeffrey L. Stein

Because the behavior of the condition number can have highly steep and multi-modal structure, optimal control and monitoring problems based on the condition number cannot be easily solved. In this paper, a minimization problem is formulated for κ2(P), the condition number of an eigensystem (P) of a matrix in terms of the L2 norm. A new non-normality measure is shown to exist that guarantees small values for the condition number. In addition, this measure can be minimized by proper selection of controller and observer gains. Application to the design of well-conditioned controller and observer-based monitors is illustrated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (_sup1) ◽  
pp. 81-97
Author(s):  
Thana Hmidani

This study took place at a medical college with 57 Arabic first-year students taking an intensive English course. The aim was to address the problems that learners experience when using the English tenses properly. The didactic model was developed and implemented in the study group only (27 students). Pre, mid-, and post-tests were administered to study and control groups at three points in time. The model is a selection of aspects from different methods combined aiming to lead participants to a higher level of linguistic competence in terms of language awareness, reading and writing skills, and vocubulary building. The results indicated statistically significant differences in the post-test between the two groups over time regarding the level of linguistic competence.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane L. Peters ◽  
P. Y. Papalambros ◽  
A. G. Ulsoy

Optimal system design of “smart” products requires optimization of both the artifact and its controller. When the artifact and the controller designs are independent, the system solution is straightforward through sequential optimization. When the designs are coupled, combined simultaneous optimization can produce system-optimal results, but presents significant computational and organizational complexity. This paper presents a method that produces results comparable with those found with a simultaneous solution strategy, but with the simplicity of the sequential strategy. The artifact objective function is augmented by a control proxy function (CPF), representing the artifact’s ease of control. The key to successful use of this method is the selection of an appropriate CPF. Four theorems that govern the choice and evaluation of a CPF are given. Each theorem is illustrated using a simple mathematical example. Specific CPFs are then presented for particular problem formulations, and the method is applied to the optimal design and control of a micro-electrical mechanical system actuator.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document