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    Strategic factors in agile software development method adaptation : a study of market-driven organisations : a thesis presented in partial [fulfilment] of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology at Massey University, Albany campus, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Lal, Ramesh
    Agile methods now provide an alternative to the structured approach for software development. Since their early adoption in the mid-1990s, there has been a growing acceptance of agile methods as a legitimate development approach amongst the information systems development community. Amongst some of the talked about agile benefits in comparison to the structured approach are improvements in delivery and quality standards, productivity levels and knowledge transfer within the organisation, and customer satisfaction through collaboration and frequent delivery of implemented features. The agile philosophy of a team approach and ownership for product development creates a feel-good and motivational factor for engineers. Regardless, the inventors of the agile approach strongly emphasize adaptation to achieve continuous product development success. As a result, an understanding of the adoption of agile methods cannot be separated from an understanding of its adaptation by development teams. Using a theoretical framework relating to software development process adaptation, developed by Fitzgerald (1998), and through two case studies (agile adopters) qualitative data in relation to agile adaptation was gathered and analysed to determine the nature of agile adaptation. This revealed that adaptation is a critical feature of agile approaches. These adaptations enhance the strategic nature of the organisational factors and the chosen agile approach to develop market differential products. The main contribution of the thesis is that it presents an adapted agile adaptation framework showing that at a conceptual level the main structures (the organisational and methodology factors) that influence software development remain consistent when moving to agile development. However, the underlying elements of these factors are comprehensively adapted, transforming an organisation into an agile organisation in a market-driven environment. Further, in this environment the organisational and development structures will keep evolving due to the emerging market factors and improvements in product development technologies.
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    Package optimisation model : [a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Engineering and Industrial Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand]
    (Massey University, 2010) Mueller, Bernd
    A bulk export orientated company has to optimise their packaging to be able to compete in a globalised world. Therefore it is important to maximise the container load to save shipping costs. This can be done in different ways, • by changing the product weight, • the packaging material or size, • the pallet/container size or, for some products, • the bulk density. With so many parameters affecting the container load finding the best packaging solution is difficult. To solve the problem an Add-on to for the existing packaging optimisation software Cape Pack called SADIE was developed. SADIE automates the process of data input into Cape Pack and allows browsing of different packaging combinations in a short time. Main feature of SADIE is that it allows testing complete weight and/or bulk density ranges in one Query. For that it takes the weight and the bulk density combination that is going to be tested and calculates the start dimension for a regular slotted case (RSC) with a 2:1:2 ratio, which, for a RSC, is the ratio that uses a minimum quantity of board. Those dimensions are then, with many other parameters, transferred into the Cape Pack Design mode where the new packaging solution is calculated and transferred back to SADIE. The data coming from SADIE was tested for consistency and was also used for physical pack size validations, both successfully. Packaging solutions for products with higher bulk densities could be optimised. A new packaging solution calculated for salted butter could save 231 container per annum. Depending on the destination of the butter cost savings from 184,000 US$ to 577,500 US$ would be possible. The results show that there are improvements in container load possible, especially for products in a higher bulk density range, like butter and cheese. An increase in container load for Whole milk powder (WMP) might be possible if another packaging system is used whereas for Skim milk powder (SMP), with its higher densities compared to WMP, the program can calculate improved container load without a change to the packaging system used.