Search

This work presents how to automate emission accounting and analysis in the waste management industry. The methodology adopted is based on the combined use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and a Systems Engineering approach. The presented methodology has been tested in an industrial case. In the case, there were multiple systems available to collect environmental data. However, the accessibility and the interpretability of this environmental data were observed as a challenge. After gathering the data in a centralized database, the automation of the Green House Gasses (GHG) emission management and accounting was performed. Findings show that the operational emissions of the industry partner mainly occur from energy and fuel consumption. By measuring and categorizing energy usage, the industry partner identified several potential improvements for reducing emissions. Lowering energy usage can consequently decrease the associated carbon footprint. Finally, the authors suggest some useful insights for companies with the aim of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of industrial GHG emissions accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the design, implementation, and assessment of the visual Concept of Operations (ConOps) as an informal visualization technique employed for early solution validation in Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs face significant challenges in early solution validation due to the complex nature of modern systems and the constantly changing market demands. These challenges may be further intensified by immature leadership and ineffective communication within the organization. By applying an industry‐as‐laboratory approach in an SME industry case, this study aims to reduce the negative impacts of miscommunication between internal and external stakeholders and contribute to needs elicitation and system validation process. The results show that visual ConOps can effectively support the need elicitation process, which is crucial for early validation, however, it may not independently serve as a comprehensive communication tool between the developer team and stakeholders. It is essential to supplement visual ConOps with complementary tools to effectively convey stakeholder input to the developer team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising levels of risk as cyber‐attackers look to exploit system vulnerabilities threatens the Air Traffic Control industry. Attacks on Air Navigation Service Providers' communications systems may lead to airspace closure and even cause safety issues. This paper presents a novel Model‐Based Systems Engineering method that enables systems engineers, in collaboration with system security and software engineers, to perform threat‐modeling analysis of cyber‐physical systems early in the system development process and incorporate mitigation strategies into the system design. The proposed model‐based method covers few security concepts, including misuse cases, system assets, threats, risks, vulnerabilities, and security control identification. The study found that the proposed method is suitable for conducting security analysis for complex cyber‐physical systems early in the system development process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores conceptual modeling to support system‐level decision‐making during concept evaluation. The system‐level decisions made in the concept phases decide most of the systems' value and cost. The context for our research is the Norwegian energy domain. Through an industrial case study in a global subsea system supplier company, we have explored conceptual modeling to support system‐level decision‐making in the conceptual phase. From the insights and learnings gained in the industry case, the article proposes an approach for using conceptual modeling to support System‐Level Decision‐Making. Further, the article presents three examples of applications to demonstrate the use of the approach. To evaluate the approach's usefulness in the industrial setting, we conducted a survey of 37 engineers in the company of research. The engineers perceive that using the approach would improve awareness of the system context and support a holistic mindset. Furthermore, the engineers perceive the conceptual models as efficient for knowledge sharing and communication, especially in meetings between technical and non‐technical personnel. The engineers identify simplicity as a top benefit of the approach but also as a concern. Balancing the need for abstracting with the need for being specific is a crucial challenge in modeling. The survey also shows concerns about the implementation of the approach and the effort required to use the approach in daily work. The primary outcome of the research is insights into how conceptual modeling can support system‐level decision‐making in the industrial context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In complex sociotechnical research, companies aim to utilize data and digitalization to increase a system's reliability and to minimize a system's failures. This study exemplifies the use of conceptual modeling and data analysis to increase a system's reliability by studying a case study for a medium-sized company. The company delivers an Automated Parking System (APS). We identified, collected, and analyzed internal and external data within this context. Internal data consist of failure data from maintenance, whereas external data include environmental data, mainly weather data. Data analyses transformed the collected data into information, where conceptual modeling facilitates the understanding of information by transforming it further into knowledge. We find that the combination of conceptual modeling and data analysis aids in exploring and understanding a system's reliability. This understanding enables a company to enhance its product-development process. Conceptual modeling and data analyses guide and support each other in an iterative and recursive manner, and they both complement each other. Conceptual modeling also facilitates communication and understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]