The application of experimental design in an activity-based environment

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to carry out research into the application of experimental design in an activity-based environment; specifically into the methodology and potential application of experimental design and analysis as an activity-based management decision support tool in the general manufacturing, systems engineering and logistics engineering fields.

This thesis will detail the author's research into the decision support framework that will be introduced in Chapter 1.0 and developed during the thesis. Chapter 2.0 will introduce activity-based management and develop a systems dynamics model of a US industrial enterprise. Experimental design and analysis will be introduced in Chapter 3.0.

The development of a knowledge-based expert system (KBES) trainer called DESIGNS.ART will be covered in Chapter 4.0, and' a copy of the program has been included in Appendix A This KBES trainer has been designed to train engineers in US industry in the application of experimental design and analysis. Chapter 5.0 discusses the potential application of experimental design and analysis in each of the three fields. Chapter 6.0 combines experimental design and analysis with activity-based management by fully developing the activity-based management (ABM) framework introduced in Chapter 1.0. Chapter 6.0 includes a hypothetical case study of the ABM framework in operation. Chapter 7.0 proposes that this ABM framework be integrated into a US firm which has implemented activity-based costing.

This research into the integration of experimental design and analysis with activity-based management in systems engineering, logistics engineering and general manufacturing is original, and it results in a contribution to both the systems engineering, logistics engineering and the general manufacturing fields.