Assessing The Maturity Of The Asset Lifecycle Management In The Case Of The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Asset management is a central capability that organizations have to perform well. Asset management is concerned about the management of assets that are valuable or potentially valuable to an organization. This article focuses on asset management as it is performed in the railway transit industry. The past decade has seen a number of positive changes in the way that transit agencies manage their assets. While many transit agencies have introduced asset management approaches, work still needs to be done in the area of how we assess the maturity of asset management programs. This article proposes a framework for assessing the maturity of asset management programs, especially those that are used to manage individual assets according to their lifecycles. To illustrate the value of the proposed asset management maturity framework, we describe the asset management transformation at a transit agency and use the proposed framework to document the gains of the improvement effort.

A Rural School’s Adaptations, Improvements, and Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 prompted unprecedented disruptions to schools with challenges particularly severe for high-poverty remote rural schools. This case study recounts the story of a rural school that had participated in a research–practice partnership (RPP) multi-year improvement effort prior to the pandemic and documents the ways the RPP and the school-based improvement team worked to navigate pandemic-related disruptions. This case study provides educational leaders with insights into ways to surmount challenges and innovate especially during times of significant disruption and provides prompts to consider with regard to the use of RPP support and improvement science-based processes and tools.

Professionalism in built environment research: beyond integrity and good practice

PurposeProfessionalism indicates a devotion to and demonstration of exceptional performance and achievement in any activity. The built environment comprises the physical items required for economic activity, long-term national development and social well-being. Studies show a need to improve many aspects of the built environment and the sector which creates it. Researchers should contribute to this improvement effort. It is suggested that researchers should demonstrate professionalism, but there is no agreement on how professionalism in research is determined. It is necessary to consider what constitutes professionalism in built environment research and how it can be developed.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory study is presented. It considers major works on the nature of the built environment and its sector, and factors influencing research on them; and draws on works on research ethics, integrity and good practice to propose a framework for professionalism in built environment research.FindingsMore work is needed to improve the built environment and its sector. Professionalism in built environment research will make the contribution of such research to this effort effective. This professionalism should be conceptualised, developed and continuously enhanced.Research limitations/implicationsThis first attempt to formulate a framework for professionalism in built environment research is based on a review of the major relevant literature. Subsequent works can test this framework empirically.Social implicationsThe professional built environment researcher will be committed to contributing to society.Originality/valueThis is the first work on professionalism in research on the built environment. The framework provides the basis for further studies on the subject.

Quality improvement in practice—part 1: creating learning systems

Applying quality improvement methods to solve complex quality issues involves people deeply. People discover solutions, test and adapt ideas, thereby giving them autonomy and control over the system in which they work. Focusing quality improvement on what matters most for staff and service users creates the opportunity to bring a deeper sense of meaning and connection to purpose, both of which are integral to joy in work. When applying quality improvement at scale within large organisations or systems, bringing teams together in learning systems can provide a critical structure to build skills, collaborate and learn from one another. This article describes the core elements of learning systems designed to support quality improvement and joy in work, illustrated through two examples. The framework can be applied at different levels of a system, including the individual, the team and the organisation, or even to a large improvement effort across organisational boundaries. The next article in this series will discuss the application of the joy in work framework to healthcare settings.

Implementasi Total Quality Management dalam Pengembangan Manajemen Pembelajaran Karakter Religius

This paper presents the implementation of Total Quality Management in developing religious character learning management. Total Quality Management as an approach that emphasizes the existence of a continuous improvement effort in maximizing products, services, and human resources. Character learning based on Total Quality Management is a process of transferring, habituating, and forming character values by educators (teachers) to students, which is carried out based on the concept of Total Quality Management, namely: quality, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and comprehensive in all organizational components. This research is a library research using a qualitative approach. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of Total Quality Management in the development of religious character learning management is still very much needed for educational institutions, especially in the learning process.

Optimalisasi Spasi Ripping Bulldozer terhadap Fragmentasi Batubara Seam B2 di Tambang Banko Barat PT X Desa Tanjung Enim, Kecamatan Lawang Kidul, Kabupaten Muara Enim, Provinsi Sumatera Selatan

Coal mining at PT X Banko Barat site uses the Strip Mine type Open Mine System using mechanical equipment. To breaking coal from Pit 1 Timur using ripping with the Komatsu D 375 Bulldozer A. As for the digging and loading using Backhoe Komatsu PC 400 and Backhoe Hitachi ZX 470 Lc The problem with the company is the large size of the fragmentation of ripping coal which is greater than 20 cm which is not in accordance with the specifications of the grizzly dump hopper, so there must be a reduction in the size of the coal back by the backhoe so that production is getting lower. This study aims to optimize the ripping bulldozer space on coal so that it will produce coal fragmentation smaller than the actual ripping and the effect of coal fragmentation on bulldozer and backhoe production. The research included taking data of bulldozer cycle time ripping, backhoe cycle time, bulldozer obstacle time, backhoe obstacle time, coal density and coal fragmentation. From these data we will know the effect of bulldozer ripping spacing on the fragmentation of coal produced and the effect on bulldozer and backhoe production. For the East Pit coal production target, West Banko is 360,000 tons/ month. The actual bulldozer ripping space is 80 cm with B2 coal fragmentation yield of more than 20 cm is 11.36% with 363,476.74 tons/month ripping bulldozer and backhoe production 363,477.32 tons/month. For the 60 cm ripping spacing improvement, the B2 coal fragmentation yield of more than 20 cm is 3.05% with a bulldozer ripping production of 347,670.27 tons/month and backhoe production of 347,670.7 tons/month. As for the 40 cm ripping spacing improvement, B2 coal fragmentation which is more than 20 cm is 1.58% with a bulldozer ripping production of 288,922.03 tons / month and backhoe production of 288,922.9 tons/month. Based on the results of the study, coal fragmentation of more than 20 cm has reached the Company's SOP, which is less than 2%, but the production target has not been reached, so efforts must be made to improve. The improvement effort is by adding a bulldozer and increasing the bulldozer work efficiency. Bulldozer production was obtained at 385,229.37 tons/month and backhoe production at 385,229.60 tons/month so as to reach the production target. Abstrak. Penambangan batubara pada PT X Site Banko Barat menggunakan Sistem Tambang Terbuka tipe Strip Mine dengan menggunakan peralatan mekanis. Untuk memberaikan batubara pada Pit 1 Timur menggunakan ripping dengan Bulldozer Komatsu D 375 A. Sedangkan untuk penggalian dan pemuatannya menggunakan Backhoe Komatsu PC 400 dan Backhoe Hitachi ZX 470 Lc. Adapun masalah pada perusahaan adalah banyaknya ukuran fragmentasi batubara hasil ripping yang lebih besar dari 20 cm yang tidak sesuai dengan spesifikasi grizzly dump hopper, sehingga harus ada pengecilan ukuran batubara kembali oleh backhoe sehingga produksinya semakin rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengoptimalkan spasi ripping bulldozer pada batubara sehingga akan menghasilkan fragmentasi batubara yang lebih kecil dibandingkan dengan ripping aktualnya dan pengaruh fragmentasi batubara terhadap produksi bulldozer dan backhoe. Penelitian meliputi pengambilan data cycle time ripping bulldozer, cycle time backhoe, waktu hambatan bulldozer, waktu hambatan backhoe, densitas batubara dan fragmentasi batubara. Dari data tersebut akan diketahui pengaruh dari spasi ripping bulldozer terhadap fragmentasi batubara yang dihasilkan serta pengaruh terhadap produksi bulldozer dan backhoe. Untuk target produksi batubara Pit Timur, Banko Barat adalah 360.000 ton/bulan. Spasi ripping bulldozer aktual adalah sebesar 80 cm dengan hasil fragmentasi batubara B2 yang lebih dari 20 cm adalah 11,36% dengan produksi ripping bulldozer sebesar 363.476,74 ton/bulan dan produksi backhoe sebesar 363.477,32 ton/bulan. Untuk spasi ripping perbaikan 60 cm dengan hasil fragmentasi batubara B2 yang lebih dari 20 cm adalah 3,05% dengan produksi ripping bulldozer sebesar 347.670,27 ton/bulan dan produksi backhoe sebesar 347.670,7 ton/bulan. Sedangkan untuk spasi ripping perbaikan 40 cm dihasilkan fragmentasi batubara B2 yang lebih dari 20 cm adalah 1,58% dengan produksi ripping bulldozer sebesar 288.922,03 ton/bulan dan produksi backhoe sebesar 288.922,9 ton/bulan. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, fragmentasi batubara yang lebih dari 20 cm telah mencapai SOP Perusahaan yaitu kurang dari 2%, tetapi target produksinya tidak tercapai, sehingga harus ada upaya perbaikan. Adapun upaya perbaikannya adalah dengan menambahkan satu alat bulldozer dan meningkatkan efisiensi kerja bulldozer. Didapatkan produksi bulldozer sebesar 385.229,37 ton/bulan dan produksi backhoe sebesar 385.229,60 ton/bulan sehingga telah mencapai target produksi.

Deepwater Span Management on a Mobile Seabed

This paper describes a multi-pronged continuous improvement effort to manage the spans of a deep-water pipeline, where even without wave action, the currents are strong enough to move sediments, leading to constantly changing spans. The effort includes: (1) using strakes rather than intermediate supports to suppress VIV, since the latter proved not to be a long-term solution, (2) using partial rather than full strake coverage of spans and developing tools to quantify the level of strake coverage that is required, (3) improving estimates of soil stiffness and damping, and tools to handle amplitude-dependent soil stiffness and damping, (4) performing pluck tests of the operating pipeline by pulling it laterally at midspan with the ROV until a weak link connecting the ROV to the pipe breaks, whereupon the resulting motion of the pipe is recorded with accelerometers, (5) developing tools that allow fatigue damage to be estimated and accumulated for every location along the pipeline (6) sponsoring a joint industry program by DNVGL to quantify the effect of seabed proximity and trench effects on VIV. This paper provides an overview of these activities, with emphasis on recent results and new assessment tools and methods developed and their validation covering items (2–4) above.

Optimal Return Policies and Micro-Plastics Prevention Based on Environmental Quality Improvement Efforts and Consumer Environmental Awareness

Consumers initiating returns online may produce secondary packaging, while most of the packages are produced by plastics. The more products are returned, the more plastics are used. Existing research indicates that the plastic packages can contribute to the micro-plastics pollution of the environment. As consumer environmental awareness (CEA) improves, more and more consumers are willing to pay extra fees to change the materials of packages from plastics to others in order to protect the environment, prompting enterprises to adjust to their return policies. In this context, this paper takes environmental quality improvement effort and the environmental coefficient as decision variables, and compares the manufacturer’s optimal decisions under with and without return policy. Our results show as follows: (1) There is a positive correlation between CEA and environmental quality improvement effort and the environmental coefficient; that is, environmental quality improvement effort and the environmental coefficient increase with an increase in CEA; (2) When CEA is high (k≤τ≤d), there is a threshold for manufacturers to invest in environmental effort. However, when CEA is low (0≤τ≤k), regardless of the return policy the manufacturer implements, its profit increases with the promotion of CEA, and when the manufacturer allows consumer returns, the relationship is more obvious; (3) The manufacturer should adopt an appropriate return policy according to the changes in CEA. When CEA is low (0≤τ≤k), the manufacturer should adopt a without return policy; when CEA is high (k≤τ≤d), the manufacturer should adopt a full refund (r=p) return policy, which is the optimal profit, and increase investment in environmental protection. From the above conclusions, we suggest that the government should increase the publicity of environmental protection, consumers should establish the awareness of green consumption, and enterprises should increase investment in environmental quality improvement to achieve sustainable development.