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- All Subjects: Best Value
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Description
The value of data in the construction industry is driven by the actual worth or usefulness the data can provide. The revolutionary method of Best Value Performance Information Procurement System implemented into the industry by the Performance Based Studies Research Group at ASU optimizes the value of data. By simplifying the details and complexity of a construction project through dominant and logical thinking, the Best Value system delivers efficient, non-risk success. The Best Value model's implementation into industry projects is observed in the PBSRG Minnesota projects in order to improve data collection and metric analysis. The Minnesota projects specifically have an issue with delivering Best Value transparency, the notion that the details of project data should be used to support dominant ideas. By improving and simplifying the data collection tools of PBSRG, Best Value transparency can be achieved more easily and effective, in turn improved the Best Value system.
ContributorsMisiak, Erik Richard (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Ethanol is a widely used biofuel in the United States that is typically produced through the fermentation of biomass feedstocks. Demand for ethanol has grown significantly from 2000 to 2015 chiefly due to a desire to increase energy independence and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases associated with transportation. As demand grows, new ethanol plants must be developed in order for supply to meet demand. This report covers some of the major considerations in developing these new plants such as the type of biomass used, feed treatment process, and product separation and investigates their effect on the economic viability and environmental benefits of the ethanol produced. The dry grind process for producing ethanol from corn, the most common method of production, is examined in greater detail. Analysis indicates that this process currently has the highest capacity for production and profitability but limited effect on greenhouse gas emissions compared to less common alternatives.
ContributorsSchrilla, John Paul (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Chemical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Cyber threats are growing in number and sophistication making it important to continually study and improve all dimensions of digital forensics. Teamwork in forensic analysis has been overlooked in systems even though forensics relies on collaboration. Forensic analysis lacks a system that is flexible and available on different electronic devices which are being used and incorporated into everyday life. For instance, cellphones or tablets that are easy to bring on-the-go to sites where the first steps of forensic analysis is done. Due to the present day conversion to online accessibility, most electronic devices connect to the internet. Squeegee is a proof of concept that forensic analysis can be done on the web. The forensic analysis expansion to the web opens many doors to collaboration and accessibility.
ContributorsJuntiff, Samantha Maria (Author) / Ahn, Gail-Joon (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
In this paper, the impact of running a Best Value system in a student-run/volunteer group is measured, documented, and analyzed. The group being used for this test is the Arizona State University Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Team. The Arizona State University Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Team has participated in national Formula SAE competitions since at least 1992, however, in the last twenty years, the team has only been able to produce one car that was able to finish the competition on time. In a similar time period, Best Value has been successfully tested on over 1860 professional projects with a 95% satisfaction rating. Using the Best Value approach to increase transparency and accountability through simple metrics and documentation, the 2016 Arizona State University Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Team was able to complete their car in 278 days. In comparison, it took 319 days for the 2015 team and 286 for the average collegiate team. This is an improvement of 13% when compared to the 2015 team and 3% when compared to the average collegiate team. With these results it can be deduced that the Best Value approach is a viable method for improving efficiency of student-run and volunteer organizations. It is the recommendation of this report that the Arizona State University Society of Automotive Engineers Formula Team continue to utilize Best Value practices and run this system again each year moving forward. This consistent documentation should result in continuous improvement in the time required to complete the car as well as its quality.
ContributorsWojtas, Thomas Samuel (Author) / Trimble, Steven (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Committee member) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
DescriptionThis creative project provides documentation and an exploration of my interactions with individuals encountered while hitchhiking up the west coast.
ContributorsGerber, Evan Howard (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The Performance Based Studies Research Studies Group (PBSRG) at Arizona State University (ASU) has been studying the cause of increased cost and time in construction and other projects for the last 20 years. Through two longitudinal studies with a group of owners in the state of Minnesota (400 tests over six years) and the US Army Medical Command (400 tests over four years), the client/buyer has been identified as the largest risk and source of project cost and time deviations. This has been confirmed by over 1,500 tests conducted over the past 20 years. The focus of this research effort is to analyze the economic and performance impact of a delivery process of construction called the Job Order Contracting (JOC) process, to evaluate the value (in terms of time, cost, and customer satisfaction) achieved when utilizing JOC over other traditional methods to complete projects. JOC's strength is that it minimizes the need for the owner to manage, direct and control (MDC) through a lengthy traditional process of design, bid, and award of a construction contract. The study identifies the potential economic savings of utilizing JOC. This paper looks at the results of an ongoing study surveying eight different public universities. The results of the research show that in comparison to more traditional models, JOC has large cost savings, and is preferable among most owners who have used multiple delivery systems.
ContributorsLi, Hao (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Industrial, Systems (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
The aim of this thesis is to explain the dichotomy between public perception of leadership and quantifiable measurement of leadership based on Information Measurement Theory, a method of utilizing deductive logic, and to identify and interpret the causes of such discrepancies as seen in the case of Steve Jobs. The general public perceives Steve Jobs to be an effective leader because he was visionary, entrepreneurial, charismatic and highly successful. However, these perceptions are not true indicators of leadership but rather qualitative interpretations of leadership without tangible evidence in support of this idea. An analysis of words found in multiple appearances of online articles relating to Steve Jobs and leadership revealed a variety of common factors associated with Steve Jobs' leadership, supporting a primarily positive viewpoint by the public. The thesis then identified how a new methodology of measuring leadership effectiveness based on quantitative data, known as the New Leadership Model, concludes Steve Jobs does not meet the criteria necessary to be considered a Best Value Leader, one who uses alignment rather than management, direction and control to achieve maximum efficiency within an organization. The discrepancies between public perception of Steve Jobs as a leader and the results of the New Leadership Model evaluation show significant variance. Potential rationale for these variances is offered in the thesis. In conclusion, the thesis argues that public perception will often differ from quantifiable measurement of leadership based on the interpretation of leadership by various groups and by the methods each group uses to identify characteristics of effective leadership.
ContributorsRoderique, Kelsey Boyd (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Information Measurement Theory (IMT) is a decision-making system developed by ASU's Dr. Dean Kashiwagi that emphasizes the inefficiencies caused by decision-making and personal bias. Zen Buddhism is an ancient philosophical system designed to reduce life's suffering. IMT introduces readers to common-sense notions which are spun into more complex topics that reveal flaws in our normal modes of thinking. This style is often employed by Buddhist teachers, and the rigidly logical structure of IMT already proves many points tangent to Buddhist philosophy. In my thesis, I have exploited the similarities of IMT and Zen Buddhism to create a website introducing curious Western readers to the beauty of Zen in a refreshingly frank manner. This project will demonstrate the power of information theory and dominant communication to break down barriers towards understanding. Ultimately, this should offer an exciting new path for prospective students of Zen and help to build understanding between ideologically disparate groups.
ContributorsNess, Stuart Conrad (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Chemical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Use of deductive logic and leadership/management techniques has truly impacted the way that I view and observe myself in the world around me. Through my understanding of Information Measurement Theory (IMT) and the many components of the Kashiwagi Solution Model (KSM), I have made significant progress in self-improvement as I gradually move towards self-alignment. Although this project diverges from the traditional dissertation, the personal and intellectual value instilled in my application of the concepts I have learned, clearly represents my progress towards the inner peace that I seek. Self-evaluation is a critical ability that enables one to learn from information and experience. IMT and KSM introduce concepts that refine this ability and as a result help one to discover the importance of critical thinking through applied, deductive logic. In establishing the natural laws that encompass the world around us, as well as attempting to understand any and all dominant information that is ready to be discovered, life becomes simpler and easier. Through my own understanding of the many practices of IMT and KSM, I have learned to re-evaluate the dominant components of my environment. Thus, I have managed to reach clearer and more sensible conclusions about not only myself, but more importantly about my place in the world around me.
ContributorsGuthrie, Alec N (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Information Measurement Theory (IMT) is a system created by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi to minimize subjective decision-making, the amount of data needed to understand situations, and optimize processes by removing risk. IMT uses the ideas of Kashiwagi Solution Models to identify high performing and low performing characteristics. IMT proposes the usage of Best Value Approaches to achieve high performance while minimizing risk through quality control. For my project, I prove how IMT can be applied to a long-term project to reduce stress, create a quality product, and minimize opportunities for failure. My project focuses on the creation and release of a vinyl record. IMT was developed for use with construction projects, so my goal is to apply IMT ideals to an industry where it has not been used whatsoever and show how IMT can be applied to any project that is either difficult, requires careful analysis of options, or is completed on a long-term basis. Since I am not an expert in music production or releasing physical copies of music, I also prove that IMT helps provide guidelines and measures of how to complete a project where not all information is known at the beginning. With the usage of dominant information and the alignment of expert assistance, a high quality product was produced and a successful release followed.
ContributorsPfisthner, Jess (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05