Papers by Vijay Vaishnavi
International Journal of Computer Mathematics, 1977
A class of formal grammars called coupled grammars are introduced. These are formal generative mo... more A class of formal grammars called coupled grammars are introduced. These are formal generative models for languages as well as translations. As language generating devices these are more powerful than context-free grammars and as translation generating devices these arc more powerful than syntax directed translation schemes. Three parameters of these grammars: degree, order and µ-simplicity are identified, which characterize aspects
This paper advances the concept of pre-theory design frameworks as a notable means of justifying ... more This paper advances the concept of pre-theory design frameworks as a notable means of justifying early design experiences that form preliminaries to design theories. Design work situated in complex design problem settings can field artifacts that shift the entropy in the setting (i.e., relocate work and noise). Such shifts can trigger a progressive transformation from a problem setting to a solution setting. Pre-theory design frameworks provide formative functional explanations that embody a starting point for theorizing in design science research. This progressive formulation and reformulation of concepts and constructs represents the progress of design science knowledge from lower to higher levels of abstraction. This explanation accounts for the apparent rationality of design theorizing in a messy, emergent design problem setting. The frameworks are elaborated in a dissipative structure model based on the varying level of entropy present in the design activities and the actions that cope with this entropy.
Abstract A PROCESS TO REUSE EXPERIENCES VIA NARRATIVES AMONG SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGERS By STACIE ... more Abstract A PROCESS TO REUSE EXPERIENCES VIA NARRATIVES AMONG SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGERS By STACIE CLARK PETTER APRIL, 2006 Committee Chair: Dr. Vijay Vaishnavi Major Department: Computer Information Systems Software project management is a complex process requiring extensive planning, effective decision-making, and proper monitoring throughout the course of a project. Unfortunately, software project managers rarely capture and reuse the knowledge gained during a project on subsequent projects. To enable the repetition of prior successes and avoidance of previous mistakes, I propose that software project managers can improve their management abilities by reusing their own and others’ past experiences with written narratives. I use multiple methodologies – including literature review, grounded theory, design science research, and experimentation – to create a process for software project managers to reuse knowledge gained through experiences on software projects. In the literature review, I examine relevant research areas to inspire ideas on how to reuse knowledge via written narratives in software project management. Interviews with software project managers, analyzed using grounded theory, provide insight into the current challenges of reusing knowledge during a project. I leverage design science research methodology to develop a process of experience reuse that incorporates narratives and wikis to enable software project managers to share their experiences using written narratives. Experimentation evaluates whether the process developed using the design science research methodology improves the current knowledge reuse practices of software project managers
Automated workflow management systems (WFMS) are computer-based systems that are increasingly use... more Automated workflow management systems (WFMS) are computer-based systems that are increasingly used to schedule, control, and facilitate the execution of large, complex business processes. As business organizations become increasingly global and virtual, the need to quickly coordinate the efforts of distributed, autonomous workgroups becomes more acute. This research addresses inadequacies in current conceptualizations of WFMS when autonomous groups interoperate. Workflow management systems that perform well in centrally controlled organizations frequently fail when used between autonomous groups. WFMS implementations that derive the timing of coordinating communications (triggers) between systems from states of predetermined activity sequences will fail when process definitions are changed. Yet autonomous work groups, especially in subcontracting situations, must be free to change process definitions unilaterally. Prior research indicated that intentional information (goals and generalized functions) could be useful in maintaining coordination between WFMS (Vaishnavi, et al., 1996, Kuechler and Vaiashnavi, 1996, Kuechler et al., 1997). The research question is derived from those pilot studies: how can intentional information about work be used to make WFMS more robust with respect to maintaining inter-system coordination during dynamic, unilateral work definition change? Using a constructivist research paradigm, the question is addressed by the development of a model of trigger based coordination in WFMS that allows compensation for task redefinition to be fully or partially automated under two commonly occurring situations: (1) task re-interpretation such as occurs when a task is transferred to an autonomous workgroup (2) ongoing maintenance (modification) of the task by the autonomous workgroups. The model, consisting of a process representation and a semantic interpretation scheme for the process representation, is progressively developed. Beginning with a very high-level mapping of basic model concepts to real world entities and situations, model development culminates in a formal Smart Object representation. Both formal and informal models are logically exercised with use cases derived from real-world scenarios. A working software prototype based on the model is introduced, mapped to the formal model, and the results of test runs of the prototype with representations of the use-cases are discussed.
Frameworks are valuable constructs in the development and growth of scientific disciplines. Frame... more Frameworks are valuable constructs in the development and growth of scientific disciplines. Frameworks identify important dimensions that should be studied, and guide researchers in appropriate techniques for problem-solving. Young disciplines frequently lack frameworks, since they have not developed sufficiently enough to have the maturity of well-thought-out frameworks. But as disciplines do mature, frameworks naturally result. This paper presents and discusses two frameworks for use in software development process modeling. These frameworks organize in one place many of the problems and successful solution approaches identified over the past several years in the process modeling community i , identifying general dimensions of the process modeling problem, and general dimensions that should be considered in any potential process modeling solution approach. In addition, several important problems and potential solution approaches that, to date, have received minimal focus are proposed and included in these frameworks.
Information Sciences, Jul 1, 1978
Comnturiicated by John M. Richardson ABsTRAcr WC present one approach within which the di&mik dev... more Comnturiicated by John M. Richardson ABsTRAcr WC present one approach within which the di&mik developments of the grammar form and the L form themica can be unified Our results also &cd light on the inkent differences of parallel and sequential rmiting.
From the Publisher: Object Technology Centers (OTC) are technology transfer catalysts for the rap... more From the Publisher: Object Technology Centers (OTC) are technology transfer catalysts for the rapid development and deployment of object-oriented infrastructure. Object Technology Centers of Excellence provides guidance to those charged with managing the shift to object technology. It is the only book on the market aimed not at the project level but at the corporate level, with a focus on the infrastructures necessary for a successful transition. This book presents case histories of early adopters of OT, which can help you understand the steps your company must take - and paths it should avoid. Object Technology Centers of Excellence is recommended reading in any organization planning or transitioning to OT, not just involved with formal OTCs. The book includes practical advice for managers, members of technical staffs, and consultants.
CHAPTER 12 An Empirical Study of the Effects of Modularity on Program Modifiability1 Timothy D. K... more CHAPTER 12 An Empirical Study of the Effects of Modularity on Program Modifiability1 Timothy D. Korson Department of Computer Scienre Southern College of Seventh-Day Adventists Collegedale, TN 37315 Vijay K. Vaishnavi Department of Computer Information Systems ...
To facilitate the successful adoption of object technology, organizations are setting up Object T... more To facilitate the successful adoption of object technology, organizations are setting up Object Technology Centers. These workshops have been developed to provide members of such organizations a forum to discuss their respective efforts to establish OTCs and techniques they use in promoting the effective use of object technology in their organizations.
Expert Systems With Applications, 1992
The Expert Systems (ES) track within the Computer Information Systems (CIS) major at Georgia Stat... more The Expert Systems (ES) track within the Computer Information Systems (CIS) major at Georgia State University has been developed in response to the growing maturity of ES technology, the number of successful business applications using ES technology, and the market demand for those with ES skills. The ES track allows the student to specialize in this rapidly growing area while at the same time the student is developing a broad knowledge base pertaining to computer information systems in general The purpose of this paper is to discuss the views underlying the balanced approach taken in the ES track within the CIS program. The unique features of this approach are discussed along with how it is implemented in the graduate program and how it has influenced the evolution of the program in terms of research, dissertations, and courses taught.
Bit Numerical Mathematics, Dec 1, 1978
2-3 brother trees form a dense class of search trees having O(logN) insertion and deletion algori... more 2-3 brother trees form a dense class of search trees having O(logN) insertion and deletion algorithms. In this paper we provide an O(togN) insertion algorithm and show that these trees have much better density and storage utilization than 2-3 trees. Thus we demonstrate that the "brother property" which has so far been used only for binary trees can be usefully applied to 2-3 trees. 1. Introduction. Knuth (Problem 26, page 471 [2]) poses the problem: Investigate the properties of balanced multiway trees. Vaishnavi, Kriegel and Wood [5] demonstrate that the concept of "height balancing" can be usefully applied to 2-3 trees by providing O(log2N) insertion and deletion algorithms for height balanced 2-3 trees. The class of height balanced 2-3 trees properly contains the class of 2-3 trees. This fact is reflected in better restructuring behaviour, but worse density and therefore worse search behaviour for height-balanced 2-3 trees as compared to 2-3 trees [5]. Thus height balanced 2-3 trees are suitable for applications with relatively more insertions or deletions as compared to retrievals. Now the question arises whether other balancing concepts can be similarly applied. In particular, we are interested in a balancing concept which leads to a restricted class of 2-3 trees having O(log2N) insertion and deletion algorithms. Such a class of trees is expected to have better density and therefore better search behaviour at the cost of possibly worse restructuring behaviour compared to 2-3 trees. This is of interest for applications with relatively more retrievals than insertions or deletions. With this motivation we investigate the 2-3 brother trees obtained by applying the balancing concept "brother property" to 2-3 trees; the brother property being that, except for the sons of a binary root, each binary node has a ternary brother. This paper summarizes the results given in detail in [3]. In particular, an O(logN) deletion algorithm and an estimation of average storage utilization may be found therein. In section 2 we provide bounds for the height of an N-key 2-3 brother tree. This gives a quantitative idea of the improvement in the worst
Design Science Research Methods and Patterns, 2015
Design Science Research Methods and Patterns, 2007
A software process model describes a set of partially-ordered sequences of activities that are ca... more A software process model describes a set of partially-ordered sequences of activities that are carried out in order to accomplish certain goals relative to software development. Over the past two decades numerous attempts have been made to model software processes. Unfortunately, while much has been learned, and, while many interesting and useful approaches have been tried, none seem to provide the flexibility needed to model all key aspects of a real world software process, including sequencing, goals, multiple levels of abstraction, and continuous change and improvement. Thus, the question this research addresses is, “How can support be provided for organizational goals and process improvement in dynamic, multi-level, hybrid software process models?” Two frameworks and three models were developed as a part of the research for this dissertation. The general problem framework identifies and structures a set of issues that need to be addressed by any process model with respect to sup...
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Papers by Vijay Vaishnavi