Thesis

A novel meta-synthesis approach to technology maturity management for project risk control

Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2019
Thesis identifier
  • T15270
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 200771811
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • With the rapid development of science and technology in modern society, "high-tech" is becoming the main characteristic of complex systems. However, due to the large scale of projects, and the intricate architecture and functionalities involved in these systems,traditional project development processes often encounter schedule delays, cost increases or performance degradation. Most of these are related to technical risk. Moreover, rapid change in both domestic and international markets and the acceleration of technology upgrading are bringing more challenges to risk management for complex system development.To improve the risk management of key technology developments aiming to ensure the success of technical-critical complex systems, a Meta-Synthesis Approach (MSA) with technology assessment is proposed in this thesis. It combines quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing the maturity of technology (Technology Readiness Level, TRL) andalso the difficulty of enhancing the technology maturity (Advancement Degree of Difficulty,AD2). The research focuses on the qualitative analysis of TRL assessment and quantitative assessment of AD2. Concepts and characteristics of technology maturity are discussed. An attributes-based qualitative TRL assessment method was developed and a unified maturity evidence chain is defined to capture and manage the maturity assessment information. A genetic algorithm based Numerical Integration method was developed for the quantitative assessment of AD2, embodying key calculation of parameters for maturity weight factors.After that, a visualisation method with technology maturity diagrams is proposed. All the above methods were integrated into MSA to assist decision-making of technology risk management. The advantages of the MSA are then discussed, detailing the spiral development process of Machine-factor (data modelling, simulation and analysis) and Man-Factor (Expert Decision-making System) to produce an iterative refinement of the technical risk management. The optimised methods and process are supported by an information and procedure management software tool. To evaluate the approach, the author employed nine case studies and questionnaires to illustrate the usefulness and efficacy ofnew methods and integrated processes. The thesis concludes with a discussion of theresearch including the limitations of the results and future research.;The key technological innovations of the research conducted in this thesis are listed below:(1) A multi maturity attributes based qualitative TRL assessment method was proposed,demonstrating four views of the technology risk/maturity aspect, including (a) representation of the formation of the critical technology element state, (b) integration of the critical technology elements towards the system, (c) the fidelity of the testing or demonstration environments, together with (d) key performance indicators.(2) A computational method for calculating AD2 is presented. Based on the unified assessment evidence chain, the method establishes a numerical integration calculation of AD2. During the numerical integration, a genetic algorithm is used to optimise the assessment features weight factors.(3) A visualisation modelling based decision-making and information management software was developed in the research. It supports technology risk identification and the management process in aiming to facilitate technical decision-making, which is essential for a complex technology system management.(4) A systematic approach based on MSA is proposed, which combines qualitative and quantitative assessment methods. Assessment information and a procedural management software platform acting as a "Machine" are concatenated to an experts group acting as a"Man", the whole composing a "Man-Machine System". To enhance the veracity of the TRLand AD2 assessment and apply the assessments to gain insight of technology risks, the "Man"dominates the synthesis procedure, and the "Machine" carries out the supporting quantitative calculations.The multi-attributes qualitative TRL assessment method could not only identify the best practices origin of technical risk management in western society, but also combine Chinese System Engineering with an oriental system-view philosophy. The quantitative method,including the numerical integration calculation of AD2 proposed in this thesis, is helpful in building mathematical expressions of the technical difficulty and could provide a basis for further system R&D management. The above two methods are based on the unified assessment evidence chain. They are a first attempt to reveal the nature of technology risk.The limitation of the research is that the proposed quantitative method is based on the distinct decomposition of technology efforts and all the decoupled (when needed) efforts could map to a cardinal range value as they constitute a sample set for the numerical integration. In addition, the knowledge database could be embodied in the future to support the "Man-Machine" spiral advancement for understanding and improving the technology maturity.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Yan, Xiu-Tian
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2019
Former identifier
  • 9912713493002996

Relations

Items