13 NOV (10:00-12:00 A.M.)
Agent Based Modeling
Course Description:
Agent-based simulation (ABS) is a methodological tool that has the capability
to integrate and synthesize diverse theoretical frameworks and yield a comprehensive
understanding of political, economic, and social systems and processes. In
recent years, a significant amount of social science research has been using
ABS in various applications, such as the development of global synthetic economies
and societies, investigation of conditions for alliance among nations, identity
development and diffusion, secessionism in multiethnic states, emergence of
ethnocentrism, ethnic conflicts, emergence of social and financial networks,
and intra-state insurgency. The workshop will cover the fundamental concepts
of Agent Based Simulations using the Synthetic Environments of Analysis and
Simulation (SEAS) framework.
Workshop Leader:
Brian Armstrong is Director of Technology Integration at Simulex, Inc. He
received a Masters (1999) in Computer Engineering and is a doctoral candidate
in Computational Science and Engineering from Purdue University. His expertise
includes parallel and distributed computing, automatic parallelizing compilers,
and performance analysis. Since at Simulex, Inc., he has been involved in
maturing the Society Approach to simulation integration and developing the
underlying infrastructure for integrated execution of simulations and system
components.
13 NOV (2:00-5:00 P.M.)
CPM Planning & Scheduling
Course Description:
This 3 hour tutorial will introduce the discipline of CPM Planning and Scheduling.
CPM is an approach to recording the thoughts and assumptions typically used
in the preparation of a Gantt bar-chart so that these may be shared with other
team members or successor managers, rigorously tested for the assumptions
made, and (most importantly) permit rapid recalculation (by computer) of a
schedule based upon any deviation from anticipated performance or changes
made to the project. The tutorial will focus upon the information required
to prepare a proper logic network and meaningful schedule, the limitations
of popular consumer CPM software, and the rules required to translate information
provided by the project team to minimize these limitations.
Advanced topics covered will include why commercial resource leveling routines
may calculate a longer project duration when resources are added and how to
adjust software settings to mitigate this issue, how to calculate a proper
project duration contingency, and how to calculate the probability of timely
completion of the project or any activity within the project.
Workshop Leader:
Fredric L. Plotnick is an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Engineering
Management, Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Drexel University
and formerly in the Department of Systems Engineering at the University of
Pennsylvania. He is a professional engineer, attorney, and earned a Ph.D.
in Civil Engineering from Drexel University for the development of expanded
functionalities of CPM that have now been licensed to Primavera Systems. Dr.
Plotnick is also co-author of the “industry bible,” CPM in Construction
Management, O’Brien and Plotnick, McGraw-Hill.
14 NOV (8:30-11:30 A.M.)
Achieving Enterprise Excellence: Going Beyond Lean Six Sigma and
the Balanced Scorecard
Course Description:
This three-hour interactive seminar introduces participants to an enterprise
management system that blends analytics with innovation to improve operations
enterprise-wide. Material is presented through lecture, discussion, handouts,
and practical exercises. A reference text is provided to the student without
cost.
Workshop Leader:
Forrest W. Breyfogle, III, is the founder and CEO of Smarter Solutions Inc.
and the developer of the Integrated Enterprise Excellence system. In 2004
Mr. Breyfogle received the American Society for Quality Crosby Medal for his
book, Implementing Six Sigma, 2nd edition. He is a professional engineer,
an ASQ Fellow, and a member of the board of advisors for the University of
Texas Center for Performing Excellence. He has authored and contributed to
eleven books and published over eighty technical articles on integrating enterprise
excellence, Six Sigma, and Lean methods. Mr. Breyfogle has conducted numerous
workshop sessions worldwide -- serving a distinguished group of clients, including
BAMA, CIGNA, Dell, HP, IBM, Oracle Packaging and TATA. He has a MSME degree
from the University of Texas and a BSME from the University of Missouri at
Rolla.
Class Handout:
The course will reference the contents of a new book by Mr. Breyfogle which
will be provided to the students at no cost:
The Integrated Enterprise Excellence System: An Enhanced, Unified Approach
to Balanced Scorecards, Strategic Planning, and Business
Improvement
14 NOV (2:00-5:00 P.M.)
System Dynamics
Course Description:
This 3 hour tutorial will introduce the discipline of System Dynamics. System
Dynamics is an approach to understanding the behavior of complex systems over
time. It focuses on the study of feedback loops and time delays that affect
the behavior of systems. What makes using system dynamics different from other
approaches to studying complex systems is the use of feedback loops and stocks
and flows. These elements help describe how even seemingly simple systems
display baffling nonlinearity. Applications of System Dynamics in project
management will be presented.
Workshop Leader:
Lieutenant Colonel Dan McCarthy is an Academy Professor in the Department
of Systems Engineering at West Point and earned a PHD in System Dynamics from
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
15 NOV (8:00-10:00 A.M.)
Earned Value & Microsoft Project
Course Description:
This 2 hour tutorial will introduce people to the concept of
Earned Value (a project control and assessment technique). It will include
a hands on case study using Microsoft Project that shows how the concept of
Earned Value can be applied and tracked during a project.
Workshop Leader:
Major Marc Distefano is an Army Engineer Officer and instructor in the Department
of Systems Engineering at West Point. He has over 10 years of professional
engineering experience and has worked on a variety of projects around the
world, including in Iraq.
15 NOV (10:00-12:00 A.M.)
Knowledge Worker Team Leadership
Course Description:
This tutorial will focus on a new team leadership approach called “TACTILE”
management. He has implemented this leadership approach with a number of different
clients to great success. During this workshop he will share how the focus
on transparency, accountability, communication, trust, and infrastructure
creates a leadership impact in an organization and energizes the team.
Workshop Leader:
Mr. Doug Russell works as a consultant for Executive Leadership, LLC and has
a great deal of experience working with clients to help improve executive
level leadership within companies.
Thank you all who submitted proposals for tutorial sessions, so their work can
be extended to other engineering management professionals.
Conference Technical Program Chair:
Major Paul Kucik
Department of Systems Engineering
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York 10996
Phone: 845-938-2746
E-mail: ASEM2008@usma.edu
