Reliability is one of the fundamental criteria in engineering systems. Design and maintenance serve to support it throughout the systems life. As such, maintenance acts in parallel to production and can have a great impact on the availability and capacity of production and the quality of the products. The authors describe current and innovative methods useful to industry and society.

By some estimates, knowledge workers outnumber all other workers in North America alone by a four to one margin. Knowledge work and knowledge workers vary with each profession, depending on the industry- from software developers to engineers, architects to pharmaceutical researchers, and so forth. They are usually responsible for exploring and creating ideas, new products, new designs or perhaps new models for doing business to help their organization achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. As much of this type of work is intangible, productivity is a mystery to most business executives, managers and team leaders.This unique reference shows how to lead knowledge workers, manage knowledge work and build a hyper-productive knowledge work organization, by taming and managing the four flows of organizational performance (psychology, information, work and finance) to produce spectacular operational and financial throughput results. Inspired by his experience and knowledge gained at Borland International, where a hyper-productive level of performance was achieved resulting in the most productive software project ever documented, author Steve Tendon devised TameFlow. TameFlow is an approach that can be superimposed on any preexisting process, method, and practice to enable performance improvement by several orders of magnitude and a state of hyper-productivity. It is adaptable to nearly every industry, and can be applied to any knowledge work domain or organization that generates business value through knowledge. TameFlow blends and merges different ideas from a variety of schools of thought. It is founded in pattern theory and organizational performance patterns which are used to analyze and decompose processes, methodologies, and management practices into constituent parts to observe productivity patterns, and then they are recombined in new configurations to enable hyper-productive levels of performance. In this volume , the TameFlow approach is explained within the context of knowledge work performed in a software development organization. Mr. Tendon teams up with author, Wolfram Muller, a thought-leader and expert in Critical Chain and Advanced Agile Project Management to illustrate its application to Scrum, the most widely used Agile software project management framework, and to Kanban, a method used for knowledge work with an emphasis on just-in-time delivery and change management.

Over the past decade, the author has met with directors of R&D departments in large industrial firms, who are frustrated by the lack of coherent and consistent methodologies in R&D projects. As a direct result the author was asked to design and present a seminar to provide R&D engineers and scientists a standard methodology for conducting coherent, rigorous, comprehensible, and consistent R&D projects. The author also realized that this training should be included in engineering and science curricula in universities and colleges. To this end, he designed and presented a pilot course for his department that was received enthusiastically by students who participated. This course has now become a required course for all doctoral students in the author's department.
This book has been designed to provide professional engineers, scientists, and students with a consistent and practical framework for the rigorous conduct and communication of complex research and development projects. Although courses and training in research methods are common and generally required of social science professionals, a vast majority of physical scientists and engineers have had no formal classroom training or on-the-job mentoring on proper procedures for research methods. Getting It Right emphasizes the comprehensive analysis of project problems, requirements, and objectives; the use of standard and consistent terminology and procedures; the design of rigorous and reproducible experiments; the appropriate reduction and interpretation of project results; and the effective communication of project design, methods, results, and conclusions.
Presents a standard methodology for conducting coherent, rigorous, comprehensible, and consistent R&D projects
Thoroughly researched to appeal to the needs of R&D engineers and scientists in industry
Will also appeal to students of engineering and science

An Introduction to Wavelets and Other Filtering Methods in Finance and Economics presents a unified view of filtering techniques with a special focus on wavelet analysis in finance and economics. It emphasizes the methods and explanations of the theory that underlies them. It also concentrates on exactly what wavelet analysis (and filtering methods in general) can reveal about a time series. It offers testing issues which can be performed with wavelets in conjunction with the multi-resolution analysis. The descriptive focus of the book avoids proofs and provides easy access to a wide spectrum of parametric and nonparametric filtering methods. Examples and empirical applications will show readers the capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages of each method.
*The first book to present a unified view of filtering techniques
*Concentrates on exactly what wavelets analysis and filtering methods in general can reveal about a time series
*Provides easy access to a wide spectrum of parametric and non-parametric filtering methods

Interviewing is one of the most effective ways to identify and attract employees who will be successful enough to stay. But few managers are adept at the skill. This book helps eliminate expensive errors of judgment by presenting readers with a set of behaviorally based interviewing strategies. Written by the faculty of the prestigious University of Michigan Executive Education Center--and based on one of their most popular courses--its seven-step "Strategic Interviewing Approach" helps interviewers define the competencies candidates need to possess and make hiring decisions based on accurate predictions of the candidates' performance.

Professionals in multinational companies may face several challenges related to the multi-linguistic, multi-faceted aspects of supply chain management in developing and developed economies. Under-developed infrastructures, archaic technology and lack of knowledge of indigenous supply chain management systems have hampered the growth of markets and indigenous businesses in emerging economies. Cases on Supply Chain and Distribution Management: Issues and Principles introduces readers to a wide selection of case studies covering a multitude of supply chains in different economies of the world and examines major issues related to supply chain management. Concerned with the complete management of the flow of goods, information, and finances, the discipline of supply chain management merits an in-depth analysis. This book presents the latest knowledge on different types of supply chains that exist within the world business environment and acts as catalyst for incumbent global corporations to understand and work around inefficient supply chains, particularly in emerging economies.

This authoritative guide--the only in-depth survey of dividend policy--challenges the belief that corporate executives and financial analysts should dismiss dividend policy as irrelevant to shareholder wealth. Dividend policy does matter, say the authors, as they cite many classic and contemporary examples to show how dividend policy decisions play out in the marketplace. A carefully planned and executed policy is critical to maximizing shareholder wealth. This accessible, practical book covers every aspect of sound dividend planning and implementation. It includes a brief history of the evolution of dividends, statistics on dividends relative to profits and capital investments, their importance as a component of investor total returns, the relationship of dividends to share price, how management makes dividend decisions, and the impact of different tax regulations on dividend policies. The book focuses less on mathematics and more on the intuition of share valuation as a function of dividend policy. While the authors acknowledge the irrelevance of dividend policy in a world with perfect capital markets, they stress how market imperfections such as taxes, imperfect information, and agency issues can alter the dividend irrelevance conclusion. The book devotes special chapters to international dividend policy and to share repurchases as an alternative to dividend payouts. It concludes with the authors' recommendations on how managers should incorporate market imperfections most relevant to their firms in setting dividend policy. Dividend Policy is a must-have resource for all managers, executives, and institutional investors.

Managing knowledge assets and business value creation in organizations: measures and dynamics provides an advanced, state-of-the-art understanding of the links between the knowledge assets dynamics and the business value creation. This publication focuses on the theory, models, approaches, methodologies, tools and techniques for measuring and managing organizational knowledge assets dynamics supporting and driving business performance improvements. This comprehensive work is a substantial contribution to the field in terms of theory, methodology and applications to replicate, support and challenge existing studies and offer new applications of existing theory and approaches.

This book serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the theories and applications in managing the Asian fashion supply chain, presenting both quantitative and exploratory studies. Providing academicians and practitioners insights into the latest developments and models, it also offers diverse perspectives on areas like strategic sourcing, quick response strategies, and other essential parts of the supply chain.

A concise working summary of principles for those who manage people, particularly new front line supervisors and their bosses. Can be used as a basis for supervisory and leadership training in any type of organization. Based on practical knowledge and lessons learned from over 80 years of combined, successful business experiences.

Vital tools for implementing Lean Six Sigma--what they are, how they work, and which to use--The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook is today's most complete and results-based reference to the tools and concepts needed to understand, implement, and leverage Lean Six Sigma.

The only guide that groups tools by purpose and use, this hands-on reference provides:

• Analyses of nearly 100 tools and methodologies--from DMAIC and Pull Systems to Control Charts and Pareto Charts
• Detailed explanations of each tool to help you know how, when, and why to use it for maximum efficacy
• Sections for each tool explaining how to create it, how to interpret what you find, and expert tips
• Lean Six Sigma is today's leading technique to maximize production efficiency and maintain control over each step in the managerial process

With The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook, you'll discover how to propel your organization to new levels of competitive success--one tool at a time.

Governments of today are under increasing pressure to deliver more and better services within the constraints of limited resources. Employees are central to service delivery and the calibre of those appointed in a public institution is often evident in the quality of services rendered and the number of complaints received. Managing human capital in the public sector encompasses all activities starting from the recruitment of staff to the final termination of services. Managing human capital in the public sector is rooted in theory while using case studies to bring the learning experience closer to a public sector work environment. It supports a problem-based learning approach and prepares graduates to perform duties in a human capital environment with minimal on-the-job training. Contents include the following: Strategic human capital management; Acquisition and assimilation of employees into the workplace; Affirmative action, employment equity and managing diversity; Public sector compensation; Motivating staff; Performance management; Training in the public sector; Career management; Talent and retention management; Employee relations; Managing employee wellness in the workplace. Managing human capital in the public sector is aimed at students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as human capital practitioners in the public sector.

Genre theory has been used to describe patterns within certain types of mass media, especially patterns associated with written and spoken language. These same methods can be applied to interviewing and the planning and creation of focus groups. Elicitation Strategies for Interviewing and Fieldwork: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the application of textual strategies associated with initiating or eliciting texts and strategies for keeping responders on task. While highlighting topics such as microgenre, interview protocol, and cultural context, this publication explores interview techniques as well as the methods of using these strategies to keep interviews relevant. This book is ideally designed for academicians, researchers, journalists, communication specialists, and interviewers seeking current research on interview strategies and textual strategies important to recognizing and evaluating patterns within responses.

Information value and quality can be considered an essential factor to evaluate both conceptual and practical contributions in organisational, technical, and scientific tasks and projects. It is important to effectively observe and implement these concepts in real organisational plans and efforts. Rethinking the Conceptual Base for New Practical Applications in Information Value and Quality discusses the re-evaluation of the conceptual base of information value and quality found in different forms of media; and how these concepts can be analyzed in real applications and business scenarios. This book is a vital reference source for scholars, practitioners, IT specialists, and students interested in information and knowledge management.

This book asks fundamental questions about the extent to which India is participating in the global shift towards knowledge-based forms of competitiveness. It charts Indian performance and progress using a unique framework benchmarked against fourteen other countries. In the course of the analysis, critical areas for improvement are identified, and the book provides detailed and objective insights for policy-makers and researchers to facilitate change and institutional reform in India. Readers will derive a comprehensive understanding of India's performance and prospects as it emerges as a serious global economic player. A particular feature of the work is the development of an original knowledge footprint concept that measures the extent and impact of knowledge development and diffusion domestic and internationally.The views expressed in this book are the author's.

This book provides hands-on techniques for writing engineering procedures to achieve ISO 9000 compliance. It is designed for individuals responsible for writing these procedures in any industry. Readers will find actual examples of clearly written, compliant engineering procedures, ready to adapt to your own industry and your own particular needs and use immediately. It answers virtually all your procedure writing questions. Procedure writers will gain a general understanding of engineering documentation principles and how to apply them to their own situations. Simple diagrams and other graphics illustrate key ideas, giving a bird's-eye view of what is coming next. The intent of the book is to familiarize the reader with the essential elements and concepts of engineering procedure development and management and show how to apply these concepts to their own specific applications. The author emphasizes engineering principles and tools that are common to all engineering disciplines, with examples for their use.Step-by-step procedures shown for each document format enable readers to apply each format to their own engineering documentation programs quickly and easily. The book provides a fingertip reference that covers the entire engineering procedure process, using the latest technology for engineering documentation systems.

The topic of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) is having an increasingly relevant strategic impact on global business and the world economy, and organizations are undergoing hard investments in search of the rewarding benefits of efficiency and effectiveness that these ranges of solutions promise. Organizational Integration of Enterprise Systems and Resources: Advancements and Applications show that EIS are at the same time responsible for tremendous gains in some companies and tremendous losses in others. Therefore, their adoption should be carefully planned and managed. This title highlights new ways to identify opportunities and overtake trends and challenges of EIS selection, adoption, and exploitation as it is filled with models, solutions, tools, and case studies. The book provides researchers, scholars, and professionals with some of the most advanced research, solutions, and discussions of Enterprise Information Systems design, implementation, and management.

Recently, the use of statistical tools, methodologies, and models in human resource management (HRM) has increased because of human resources (HR) analytics and predictive HR decision making. To utilize these technological tools, HR managers and students must increase their knowledge of the resources' optimum application. Statistical Tools and Analysis in Human Resources Management is a critical scholarly resource that presents in-depth details on the application of statistics in every sphere of HR functions for optimal decision-making and analytical solutions. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as leadership, industrial relations, training and development, and diversity management, this book is geared towards managers, professionals, upper-level students, administrators, and researchers seeking current information on the integration of HRM technologies.