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Led by Professor Andrews, a computational method for real time mission planning, based on Binary Decision Diagrams (BDD), was developed in the Mathematical Sciences Department at Loughborough University (LU) from 1993-2003. This is fast and accurate and can be used to support decision-making on system utilisation in real-time operation, which has led to the ability to diagnose in flight faults for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications.
The research has changed the understanding and awareness of the advantages of BDD, resulting in integration into major industrial trials and proprietary software products, including at BAE Systems, one of the world's largest companies in an area of vital importance to UK security and economic development. The methodology has attracted significant research funding in collaborative programmes with industry.
Aston University has developed systems thinking, specifically soft systems thinking, into a new approach known as the Process Orientated Holonic (PrOH) Modelling Methodology which has been used to model, debate and implement changes to strategy and operational processes in service and manufacturing organisations. Through PrOH Modelling our research has changed the awareness, use, and long term legacy effect in a variety of organisations as exemplified here by 4 cases in which considerable operational and financial impacts have accrued. These impacts have been achieved by (i) increasing awareness of systems thinking, particularly soft systems thinking, by management (ii) implementing use of soft systems thinking (as PrOH modelling) to give demonstrable organisational improvement in specific change projects, and (iii) ensuring a legacy effect of systems thinking practice, as managers' use of systems thinking is more effective after an initial Aston University led project has been completed.
The European Central Bank (ECB) uses forecasting tools to make predictions about the Eurozone economy as a whole. The University of Leicester has worked with the ECB to modify its main forecasting tool to improve its ability to take effective and timely action to keep inflation low and minimise deflation.
Similarly, the United Nations prepares a submission to each G8 Summit which includes forecasting and policy analysis based on the economies of the 193 member states. The forecasting tool used to create this submission has also been created in collaboration with the University of Leicester. These modelling tools help the world's most powerful leaders - both political and financial - to make informed and timely decisions about issues affecting economic stability, global food security and international safety.
New business models, technological innovations and global markets, demand that engineering firms better manage how they grow and achieve reliability during product development. A reliability growth modelling framework, developed from research at the University of Strathclyde, is being used by and influencing UK industry practice in the aerospace & defence sector. Our model underpins the modern approach to reliability growth management in Aero-Engine Controls (a Rolls-Royce company), Selex ES, and contributes to the Reliability Case required by the Ministry of Defence. The Strathclyde model is included in the international reliability growth standard (IEC 61164) which is adopted globally by manufacturing firms and procurement agencies.
Research at the University of Portsmouth (UoP) has created new user-friendly control, navigation and communication systems for powered-wheelchairs that have made a significant and positive impact on the lives of users. These have given many disabled children and adults an opportunity for independent mobility, some for the first time.
The systems have been used in six special schools and institutions (including RNIB and NHS) and many private homes. Economic impact in reducing the need for carers alone has been estimated at more than £250,000 p.a and the devices have also changed some professional services.
Automotive design analysis software based on qualitative reasoning research in the Advanced Reasoning Group at Aberystwyth is deployed at more than 200 automotive and aeronautic OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers world-wide. The software necessitates companies changing their process for performing design analysis, and companies are willing to do this because of the attendant benefits.
The major benefits of use of the software are early feedback on potential problems with the design of automotive systems, and improved safety of automotive designs. Related benefits are improved product time to market, and cost savings. A representative example of production savings of $2.5 million has been given for use of the software on a single product design, as well as Ford Motor Company's estimate of $20M per year saved in just their company.
The Airbus company has used OntoREM, a semi-automated methodology developed at UWE Bristol, for developing systems' requirements specifications and improving the quality of such specifications. This has saved Airbus [text removed for publication] cost and time to develop aircraft operability requirements for wing design and industrialisation in two different aircraft programmes — with a significant increase in requirements reusability. It has enabled improved assessment of risk in advance of a project's start through prior estimation of the cost and time of developing requirements. This has allowed reliable forecasts and scheduling, and better management of the expectations of a project's key stakeholders.
Bath research on the design of multi-agent software systems governed by norms and institutions has directly influenced the development of the essential business systems of an internet-based trading company, and been instrumental in their success.
The Book Depository (BD) was founded in 2004. In 2005, their Chief Technical Officer, Emad Eldeen Elakehal, sought the expertise of Julian Padget in the Department of Computer Science at Bath, and began a part-time PhD, working on the application of normative frameworks to the design and implementation of business systems. Elakehal has applied these principles in the design and construction of two key subsystems of BD's software infrastructure: the catalogue maintenance system (live since 2006) and the price checker and setter system (since 2008). Their effectiveness has underpinned the growth and success of the company by providing robust software implementation of business processes that adapt to changing market conditions. The company's turnover grew from £24M to £120M from 2008 - 2011, and continues to grow. The software systems enabled this growth to take place with no increase in the operations team's manpower, and now handle a catalogue of over 8 million titles, from 120 suppliers, all available within 48 hours to customers on the Book Depository's own web site or via Amazon's marketplace: all Amazon book customers have seen offers of books generated by this software. The software underpins BD's award-winning business, a unique offering in the book retail sector which attracted takeover by Amazon in 2011. BD's Managing Director states that "without the agent/norm based technical systems not one of the business' USPs could have been effectively realised."
Research on the anatomy, physiology and palaeoecology of pterosaurs by the Palaeobiology Group at Portsmouth University has had a wide and acknowledged impact, underpinning the creation and production of block-buster and pioneering television and film productions worldwide. The impact of this work is recognised by Sir David Attenborough, and by the producers of such TV successes as Walking With Dinosaurs and Flying Monsters 3D. These award-winning productions, highlighting our work, have reached a global audience and supported the generation of millions of pounds by the UK TV and film industry. Whilst the income generated is highly significant, perhaps their greatest impact lies in fostering a positive view of science, particularly in young audiences, by bringing cutting-edge evolutionary science direct to the World's film and TV screens.
The National Schools' Observatory (NSO) is a web-based resource based at LJMU that gives UK and Irish schools free access to their own observations from the world's largest fully-robotic telescope — the Liverpool Telescope. Giving its participants unique and privileged access not only to the instrument itself, but also to the astronomical research carried out by the telescope, the NSO is a powerful blend of cutting-edge research, professional instrumentation and education that inspires, motivates and supports the learning of pupils of all ages and their teachers. Since its launch in 2004 the NSO has reached more than 4,000 registered UK and Irish teachers and their classes, with 60,000 sets of observations requested by schools. The NSO has been recognised by the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee as "so important to inspiring the next generation of scientists" [Source 1].