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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Possible Application Of Quality Function Deployment In Software Systems Development In The United States Air Force, Craig R. Lamb Dec 1991

Possible Application Of Quality Function Deployment In Software Systems Development In The United States Air Force, Craig R. Lamb

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of the thesis were to determine whether the methods of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) could be used in the software development environment within the USAF, and whether or not this area should be researched further. The research was limited to the requirements analysis and definition phase. The different areas of study included a brief review of the structured analysis methodology, a detailed review of the QFD models currently being used in the product industries, a review of how QFD fits into the software development cycle, and specific software modifications to the QFD methodology. A review of some applications …

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An Expert System For Measuring, Interpreting, And Managing System Performance Factors For The Work Information Management System, Billy J. C. Irwin Dec 1991

An Expert System For Measuring, Interpreting, And Managing System Performance Factors For The Work Information Management System, Billy J. C. Irwin

Theses and Dissertations

This study develops an expert system for measuring, interpreting, and managing the Wang VS operating system performance factors for the Work Information Management System. The system's performance concerns least known to system administrators are identified. Of these, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache are identified as factors that can significantly impact system performance with little effort. A six step process is used in developing the expert system. Concept maps representing the structure of the Wang VS Disk Input/Output problem domain are provided. The expert system provides information about the system parameters, SHARER buffers and VTOC cache, and recommends main memory allocations. …

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Investigative Search Of Quality Historical Software Support Cost Data And Software Support Cost-Related Data, Brent L. Barber Dec 1991

Investigative Search Of Quality Historical Software Support Cost Data And Software Support Cost-Related Data, Brent L. Barber

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine what software support cost data and software support cost-related data should and can be collected by the Air Force. In addition, the study was to determine how the subject data should be collected. The collection of this data is necessary in order to measure the accuracy and calibration requirements of the software support cost models used by the Air Force. The study found there was no standard set of data items, and no standard procedures in place for the collection of this data. In most cases data were available or easily accessible, …

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A Comparative Study Of Dod And Civilian Hospital Inventory Management Systems, Karen A. Lemay Dec 1991

A Comparative Study Of Dod And Civilian Hospital Inventory Management Systems, Karen A. Lemay

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if one method of inventory management would standardize procedures and minimize costs for Department of Defense and civilian hospitals. This was accomplished by conducting a comparative analysis of inventory management systems, used at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio; Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, Ohio; and Evans US Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson, Colorado. The literature review examined various inventory management methods used for both general and hospital specific inventories. The thesis concluded that, although different automated systems were used at the three hospitals studied, the basis of each inventory …

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Improving Royal Australian Air Force Strategic Airlift Planning By Application Of A Computer Based Management Information System, Neil A. Cooper Dec 1991

Improving Royal Australian Air Force Strategic Airlift Planning By Application Of A Computer Based Management Information System, Neil A. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to propose a MIS to assist RAAF strategic operational airlift planning. The present manual approach suffers deficiencies in flexibility, consistency and timeliness. Airlift planning was first analysed and found to comprise activities of investigation, detailed static planning, implementation and dynamic planning, and review. Planning performance is measured by the effectiveness and efficiency of resulting airlift. Automation of planning functions was investigated, especially the routing and scheduling of airlift. USAF systems, including ADANS, were reviewed and applicability to the RAAF evaluated. Automation of planning functions was investigated, especially the routing and scheduling of airlift. USAF …

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An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green Dec 1991

An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the information requirements of Air Force Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. It had three basic objectives: (1) identify the critical success factors that they monitor on a continuous basis, (2) identify similarities in those requirements for all DGMs and across major commands, and (3) determine if the application of information technology would enhance their decision making. Surveys were sent to all CONUS based Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. The study found that there were nine critical success factors that were used by a majority of all respondents. In addition, nine command-specific critical success factors …

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A Delphi Forecast Of 1996 Roles: Air Force Institute Of Technology Information Resource Management Graduates Assigned To Base Level, David O. Block Dec 1991

A Delphi Forecast Of 1996 Roles: Air Force Institute Of Technology Information Resource Management Graduates Assigned To Base Level, David O. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Graduates of the Air Force Institute of Technology's Information Resource Management master's degree program who are subsequently assigned to base-level positions believe their IRM expertise is wasted in base administration roles that preclude the use of their up-to-date technical educations in managing automated information resources. This research forecasts the role AFIT IRM graduates assigned to base-level positions will need to fill by the year 1996. The research further determined what changes are necessary to resolve the perceived differences between current and forecast roles for these graduates. The Delphi survey method of forecasting was selected as an effective method of discovering …

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Effective Design Of Strategic Control Systems For Air Force Information Management: A Program Evaluation, B. Bruce Cowser Dec 1991

Effective Design Of Strategic Control Systems For Air Force Information Management: A Program Evaluation, B. Bruce Cowser

Theses and Dissertations

Strategic planning and implementation and strategic controls offer organizations powerful and essential tools for proactive management. In Information Management (IM), they hold the key to successfully navigating the current turbulent environment. This study was conducted in order to evaluate strategic controls in Air Force Information Management, and to recommend ways to improve them. A model for strategic controls was developed from the literature to serve as a standard for evaluating current programs. Interviews were conducted at three major commands to gather data on the current state of strategic controls. A qualitative analysis methodology was selected, and recommendations include the following …

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An Investigation Of Project Management Techniques For Scheduling Raaf Depot Level Maintenance, Kerry M. Bayley Sep 1991

An Investigation Of Project Management Techniques For Scheduling Raaf Depot Level Maintenance, Kerry M. Bayley

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates scheduling performances of commercial project management software. It is based on difficulties that the Royal Australian Air Force experienced in evaluating microcomputer-based packages in maintenance task scheduling of aircraft undergoing Depot Level Maintenance. A literature review found only one paper quantifying commercial software performances. No standard performance metrics or test data were found. Several packages were evaluated using a common set of 110 single-project resource- constrained networks. The performance measure used was closeness to optimally minimum Total Durations. No package performed best on all problems. On average, the best produced schedules 5.2% longer than optimal, with 95 …

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An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas Sep 1991

An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to identify which tactical airlifter characteristics most significantly affected tactical airlift capability in a given scenario. The Generalized Air Mobility model was used to simulate a tactical airlift system. Aircraft characteristics within the model were grouped into six variables. A 2(6) two level full factorial experimental design was used to assess the effect of changes in aircraft characteristics on the effectiveness of the tactical airlift system. Yates algorithm was used to identify significant terms based upon the results of the factorial experiment. These significant terms were used to develop a parsimonious regression model that represented …

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A Guide For The Consideration Of Composite Material Impacts On Airframe Costs, Jeffrey L. Isom Sep 1991

A Guide For The Consideration Of Composite Material Impacts On Airframe Costs, Jeffrey L. Isom

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides a guide to cost analysts who must consider the impact of composite materials on airframe costs. A literature review was conducted to determine the availability of cost models which incorporate the effect of composites on cost. A number of models are available, but no individual model was found that is applicable for every situation. In order to provide a baseline upon which analysts can compare model results as well as provide guidance in selecting cost drivers, a Delphi survey was conducted. Questionnaire results indicate that composite weight (as a percentage of total weight), composite part complexity, percentage …

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A Model For Estimating Aircraft Recoverable Spares Annual Costs, Phillip L. Redding Sep 1991

A Model For Estimating Aircraft Recoverable Spares Annual Costs, Phillip L. Redding

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis covers three objectives: (1) develop a background reference document concerning recoverable spares cost estimating; (2) evaluate a representative sample of existing spares cost models; and (3) use aircraft physical and performance characteristics to develop a model for estimating annual replenishment spares cost. A condemnations cost estimating relationship (CER) was developed first and then both a CER and spreadsheet generated factors which related condemnations to replenishment spares costs were developed. For the condemnations CER, only logarithmic transformations provided statistically acceptable results, and even these models exhibited wide prediction intervals due to large amount of variability in the CER databases …

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Estimate-At-Completion Research - A Review And Evaluation, John W. Mckinney Sep 1991

Estimate-At-Completion Research - A Review And Evaluation, John W. Mckinney

Theses and Dissertations

This research derives from the Performance Measurement discipline and consists of a comprehensive analysis of Estimate-At-Completion (EAC) studies published since 1973. The EAC studies consisted of models, comparison studies, and computer analysis programs. Each study was categorized by formula type and described in terms of methodology and conclusions. Each study was evaluated based on clarity, documentation, methodology, and source. After reviewing the studies some areas were found to be weak. The AFSC formula that uses weighted percentages of .2 SPI and .8 CPI, is not supported by a critical review of the literature. In the area of comparisons studies, different …

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An Expert System Job Aid For Users Of The Automated Scheduling Module, Kevin A. Gore Sep 1991

An Expert System Job Aid For Users Of The Automated Scheduling Module, Kevin A. Gore

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed an Expert System for novice aircraft maintenance schedulers (AFSC: 392XX) with little experience using the Automated Scheduling Module (ASM). First, an in-depth literature review was completed. Next, personal interviews were conducted with an ASM expert and other 392XX personnel. Prototypes using VP-Expert and KnowledgePro shells were created. The knowledgePro shell was selected to create the ASM Job Aid, combining the knowledge of the expert and AFM 66-279. The program was verified, validated, and favorably reviewed by 392XX personnel. Recommendations include: The Air Force Logistics Management Center (AFLMC) examine the ASM Job AId and develop a Performance Support …

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An Evaluation Of Logistics Support For F-16 Aircraft Owned By Foreign Countries, Paul J. Lyons Sep 1991

An Evaluation Of Logistics Support For F-16 Aircraft Owned By Foreign Countries, Paul J. Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the logistics support provided by the United States Air Force (USAF) for F-16 aircraft owned by foreign countries. The research drew from historical trends and personal experiences to examine the ability of the U.S. to provide logistics support for F-16 aircraft owned by U.S. allies. The study found that timely, efficient support of FMS customers possessing F-16 aircraft does not appear to be a principal concern of the USAF logistics system. Complexity of processes, untimely responses, and failure to consider customer needs are common failings on the part of the USAF.

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A Decision Support System To Assist Manpower Forecasting In The Royal Australian Air Force, Simon J. Kelly Sep 1991

A Decision Support System To Assist Manpower Forecasting In The Royal Australian Air Force, Simon J. Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

This study considers a problem that faces Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) manpower and personnel managers. Information decisions on the future force structure of the RAAF officer corps can be made by managers if they have access to objective, valid, reliable forecasts. At present, the RAAF has no standard mechanism to perform forecasts--a variety of tools are used. Given the importance and cost of the manpower resource, one integrated forecasting tool would support manpower decisions greatly. The aim of this research is to address the existing forecasting deficiency in the RAAF and provide an automated system to integrate current forecasting …

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Study On In-Theater Maintenance Support For Poaf F-16, Rui J. Gomes Sep 1991

Study On In-Theater Maintenance Support For Poaf F-16, Rui J. Gomes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity to generate a desired level of sorties of the F-16 weapon system. This capacity depends on the maintenance concept and structure, that defines a specific level of in-theater resources available. The theater is intended to reflect Portuguese Air Force logistic operations planned for the F-16, with one operational base and a possible Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility (CIRF), not co-located. The TSAR simulation program and one USAF database was used to perform the evaluation were defined and compared. The study focused on the unscheduled maintenance tasks and repairable items, in particular …

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Expert Opinion On The Department Of Defense Base Closure/Realignment Policy And Process: An Assessment Of The Four Military Value Criteria, Douglas P. Gorgoni Sep 1991

Expert Opinion On The Department Of Defense Base Closure/Realignment Policy And Process: An Assessment Of The Four Military Value Criteria, Douglas P. Gorgoni

Theses and Dissertations

This research addressed the problem of an assessment, from an Air Force perspective, of the effectiveness of the four criteria measuring military value associated with the 1991 Base Closure/Realignment Commission. The Department of Defense had determined military value to be 'preeminent' among all other considerations in reducing the size of the military basing structure, based on a reduction of the perceived military threat. A literature review was conducted to review the works of previous authors who addressed the research problem. The literature review focused on the processes of the 1988 and 1991 Closure/Realignment Commissions. During phase two of the methodology, …

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A Study Of The Air Force's Exception Management Process: Its Effect On Customer Service And Order Processing, David W. Jones Sep 1991

A Study Of The Air Force's Exception Management Process: Its Effect On Customer Service And Order Processing, David W. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was two-fold; the first goal was to determine what the SBSS order processing is, and secondly to determine the effect the current method of ECC management has on the SBSS order processing cycle and the level of customer service rendered by base supply. The research revealed that exception management is a crucial component of a successful order processing function. Further, it was established that the level of customer satisfaction experienced is greatly dependent upon good order processing. Research further indicated flaws in the current method of ECC management and recommended further actions to correct the …

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Analysis Of A Waste Minimization Program For Nonhazardous Solid Wastes Utilizing Source Reduction And Recycling Techniques And Its Application To Air Force Installations, Brian F. Mcdermott Sep 1991

Analysis Of A Waste Minimization Program For Nonhazardous Solid Wastes Utilizing Source Reduction And Recycling Techniques And Its Application To Air Force Installations, Brian F. Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

This nation has fallen victim to its own excessive behavior and has created an overabundance of trash, referred to in this thesis as Nonhazardous Solid Waste (NHSW). This situation has created environmental and health problems that can no longer be ignored. All types of communities are affected including Air Force installations. Unfortunately, the AF does not currently have a long term waste management policy or program regarding NHSW minimization. This research concentrates on the application of a NHSW minimization program for AF installations using the two most preferred methods, source reduction and recycling. The development of a comprehensive waste minimization …

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War Reserve Materiel Prepositioning Its History, Its Significance, And Its Future, Jack E. King Jr. Sep 1991

War Reserve Materiel Prepositioning Its History, Its Significance, And Its Future, Jack E. King Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study puts USAF War Reserve Materiel (WRM) into perspective. Its purpose is to serve as an introduction for those who wish to further their knowledge of USAF WRM prepositioning. To fully understand the relevant issues concerning the placement of critical European WRM stockpiles, several areas of research are encompassed in this review. An historical analysis of US military logistics is provided. Then, an overview of current, world-wide events taking shape around the world, with particular emphasis given to their effects on US decision-making strategies, is accompanied by a synopsis of both US and Soviet military doctrine.

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Combat Service Support And The Total Force, Lewis A. Germann Sep 1991

Combat Service Support And The Total Force, Lewis A. Germann

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined the minimum essential active Army Total Force Combat Service Support structure required for Contingency Force (CF) operations to provide the Army with the necessary organization for a response to a national crisis. A model called MICROFASTALS, used in combination with LOTUS 1-2-3 software, developed these forces. A literature search provided background information describing: the history of the Total Force Policy to the present; how the Department of Defense and the Army was organized to meet the Total Force initiatives, including an in depth description of the Army CSS structure; the latest National Security and Military Strategy that …

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Challenges To United States Tactical Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel: Past, Present And Future, Barbara L. Harris Sep 1991

Challenges To United States Tactical Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel: Past, Present And Future, Barbara L. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the challenges Tactical Air Force (TAF) aircraft maintenance personnel face as a result of the TAF reorganization. The goal was to provide aircraft maintenance managers a basis for evaluating and meeting those challenges. To accomplish this, emphasis was placed on documenting the concepts, events, and conditions which led to changes in military aircraft maintenance from the birth of aviation to the present. Current issues such as the proposed move to two-level maintenance and the formation of the TAF composite and Objective Wings were also addressed. Research was conducted through the review of available historical documents, complemented by …

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Inaccurate Data Entry Into The Air Force Maintenance Data Collection System, Jon R. Determan Sep 1991

Inaccurate Data Entry Into The Air Force Maintenance Data Collection System, Jon R. Determan

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the data collection environment under the Core Automated Maintenance System (CAMS), a computerized information system used in the Air Force's aircraft maintenance complexes. The research measured maintenance personnel's perception of the nature, extent, and causes of data inaccuracies occurring in the CAMS data collection environment. The nature was differentiated as being either intentional or accidental. Maintenance personnel felt that difficulty in entering information into CAMS accounted for the largest percentage of intentional errors and that insufficient training on CAMS accounted for the largest percentage of accidental errors. A comparison of this research to the results of earlier …

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An Application Of Artificial Intelligence Technology Within The Standard Base Supply System, Richard G. Nelson Sep 1991

An Application Of Artificial Intelligence Technology Within The Standard Base Supply System, Richard G. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the feasibility of applying artificial intelligence technology within the Standard Base Supply System (SBSS). With assembly endless reductions in manpower authorizations within the SBSS and the potential for a continued loss of expert knowledge, the use of knowledge-based system (KBSs) was examined to determine if these systems could alleviate this of manpower. Literature related to the fields of artificial intelligence, expert systems, and KBSs was traced, yielding a methodology for identifying candidate problems, and for the development, verification, and validation of prototype KBSs. This methodology was then employed within the research, culminating in the creation, verification, and …

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An Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Two-Levels Of Maintenance At Strategic Air Command Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Bases, Alan H. Russell Sep 1991

An Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Two-Levels Of Maintenance At Strategic Air Command Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Bases, Alan H. Russell

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the 1979 Defense Management Review, Headquarters, Strategic Air Command has initiated programs of alternative levels of maintenance in order to trim excess costs. This study investigates the suitability of the SAC program which changed selected base-level strategic missile maintenance tasks from three to two-levels of maintenance. Using an opinion oriented questionnaire, this research surveyed a sample of missile maintenance personnel on their perceptions of the SAC program which implemented an alternative to intermediate-level maintenance. Analysis of survey results show respondents tended to believe the SAC program has not added benefit to their mission effectiveness. Other studies …

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A Comparison Of The All Mobile Tactical Air Force And The Logistics Composite Simulation Models, David P. Leonhardt Sep 1991

A Comparison Of The All Mobile Tactical Air Force And The Logistics Composite Simulation Models, David P. Leonhardt

Theses and Dissertations

LCOM with respect to the number of sorties generated and the number of maintenance manpower hours utilized during a 60-day scenario. A 2(n) factorial experimental design was used for the study with an n-value of three. Three variables, the number of LRUs available in the supply pool, the number of personnel available for maintenance tasks, and the quantity of AGE available on the base, were allowed to take on either a constrained or unconstrained value in the study. A distribution of the differences in each output variable between the two models was developed and a confidence interval of the distribution …

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Data Communications Possibilities For The Deployable Remote Consolidated Aerial Port Subsystem, John T. Rausch Sep 1991

Data Communications Possibilities For The Deployable Remote Consolidated Aerial Port Subsystem, John T. Rausch

Theses and Dissertations

This research's purpose was to determine the optimal candidate system for data communications with deployable Remote CAPS. The process also established justification for the selection. A formalized methodology based on Benjamin Ostrofsky's Design, Planning, and Development Methodology was used for the process. After a needs analysis of the problem, which is a lack of a mobile data communications system for MAC air transportation units, a feasibility study was completed which formulated the candidate systems to solve the problem. Finally, a preliminary activities phase evaluated each candidate system according to end user based criteria. The candidate system selected was the Very …

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Performance Assessment Of The Spare Parts For The Activation Of Relocated Systems (Spares) Forecasting Model, Paul L. Bunker Sep 1991

Performance Assessment Of The Spare Parts For The Activation Of Relocated Systems (Spares) Forecasting Model, Paul L. Bunker

Theses and Dissertations

This research assessed the performance of the Spare Parts for the Activation of Relocated Systems (SPARES) forecast model used to develop the spares requirements forecast for the August 1988 activation of the 174TFW at Syracuse ANGB NY. SPARES was developed by the Air Force Logistics Management Center in August 1988 to replace existing Standard Base Supply System (SBSS) forecasting procedures. SPARES uses mission change data (MCD) from five similar-size source bases to determine the probability of future demand (PFD) for items at the gaining base. Before implementing SPARES in the SBSS, forecast performance must be measured and model weaknesses identified …

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An Analysis Of Army Transportation Capability To Support The Distribution Of Liquid Propellant In Field Artillery Applications, John S. Lenart Jr. Sep 1991

An Analysis Of Army Transportation Capability To Support The Distribution Of Liquid Propellant In Field Artillery Applications, John S. Lenart Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study applied a screening technique methodology to systematically obtain organizational consensus in the establishment and ranking of Army surface transportation performance measurement criteria and system design attributes. This performance evaluation model was then used to assess the feasibility of three potential liquid propellant logistics concepts. Two sample groups of subject matter experts from the Army's Transportation and Ordnance (Munitions) Corps participated in the research. The methodology consisted of nominal-interacting group processes, repeated used of the pair comparison instrument, and use of a scoring model to rank-order the ten attributes. Research findings supported the Army's qualitative commitment to ensuring environmental …

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