A multi-domain process design and improvement framework
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2011
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62762 |
| _version_ | 1826195396043472896 |
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| author | Nicol, Robert A. (Robert Arthur), 1969- |
| author2 | Christopher L. Magee and Deborah J. Nightingale. |
| author_facet | Christopher L. Magee and Deborah J. Nightingale. Nicol, Robert A. (Robert Arthur), 1969- |
| author_sort | Nicol, Robert A. (Robert Arthur), 1969- |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T10:12:00Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/62762 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T10:12:00Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/627622019-04-12T12:56:50Z A multi-domain process design and improvement framework Nicol, Robert A. (Robert Arthur), 1969- Christopher L. Magee and Deborah J. Nightingale. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Engineering Systems Division. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 379-385). Processes in manufacturing, services, and healthcare are complex socio-technical systems composed of intricately sequenced activities supported by elements drawn from multiple domains. While many of these processes offer high performance, their complexity can make their design, improvement, troubleshooting, and change difficult due to the many possible and unforeseen interactions between elements. This thesis develops a design methodology and multi-domain network model for complex process design, change management, process improvement, and troubleshooting. As part of the methodology a feasibility analysis method based on solving the minimum cost flow problem for a network of process alternatives is presented to identify feasible processes subject to stakeholder requirements and constraints including performance, flexibility, modularity, and other system properties. A model based on Multi-Domain Matrix (MDM) concepts is developed specifically for process analysis called the Multi-Domain Process Matrix model (MDPM) to enumerate and analyze the interactions between process elements such that process performance under change and troubleshooting scenarios can be improved. The graph theory basis of the MDPM model enables its analysis using a proposed set of metrics derived from communications, social, and process network literature. As a demonstration of the use of the methodology, a complex DNA sequencing based surveillance process for Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the US healthcare system is designed and a prototype implemented. Rapid advances in DNA-based technologies have greatly expanded the range of processes available to the clinical microbiology laboratory, however, integrating these new processes into a comprehensive surveillance system presents significant challenges. Many of these new technologies are still in early stages of development, require multidisciplinary teams to support them, and must undergo significant optimization presenting significant barriers to their rapid adoption despite the pressing need to understand and control antibiotic resistance. Data from the prototype MRSA surveillance process show significant variation at the DNA level between patient cases, providing evidence for the urgent need for a DNA sequencing based microbial surveillance process as part of clinical microbiology efforts in the US healthcare system. However, results of applying the process design methodology and MDPM model analysis indicate significant work remains to reduce complexity, further improve key technology elements, gain acceptance, develop key organizational infrastructure, and Page 3 of 385 redesign the process to efficiently absorb the rapid technology change expected in DNA sequencing. The MDPM model is used to develop a roadmap of specific multi-domain projects addressing these issues to accelerate the deployment of a national DNA sequencing based surveillance system. by Robert Nicol. Ph.D. 2011-05-09T15:31:46Z 2011-05-09T15:31:46Z 2010 2010 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62762 718627785 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 385 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Engineering Systems Division. Nicol, Robert A. (Robert Arthur), 1969- A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title | A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title_full | A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title_fullStr | A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title_short | A multi-domain process design and improvement framework |
| title_sort | multi domain process design and improvement framework |
| topic | Engineering Systems Division. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62762 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicolrobertarobertarthur1969 amultidomainprocessdesignandimprovementframework AT nicolrobertarobertarthur1969 multidomainprocessdesignandimprovementframework |