Qualitative knowledge construction for engineering systems : extending the design structure matrix methodology in scope and procedure
Name
263029448-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
87.11 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
2a871301d0634081da68486d1a8f0201
Author(s)
Bartolomei, Jason E
Advisor(s)
Daniel E. Hastings.
Date Issued
2007
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis presents a new modeling framework and research methodology for the study of engineering systems. The thesis begins with a formal conceptualization of Engineering Systems based upon a synthesis of various literatures. Using this conceptualization, a new modeling framework is presented called the Engineering Systems Matrix (ESM). The ESM is an improvement to existing system-level modeling frameworks, such as the Design Structure Matrix (DSM), by providing a dynamic, end-to-end representation of an engineering system. In support of this contribution, a new research methodology is presented called Qualitative Knowledge Construction (QKC). QKC can be thought of as a Bayesian-type approach to grounded theory. The methodology integrates qualitative social science with quantitative methods by developing a procedure for translating textual reports of observations, interview transcripts, system documentation, and figures into coded data represented in the ESM. The thesis develops the ESM framework and the QKC methodology in the context of a real world engineering system, a US Air Force miniature uninhabited air vehicle (MAV) product development system.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007.
MIT Barker Engineering Library copy: printed in pages.
Also issued printed in pages.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-146).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
