Read the summary and the most important questions on Methodology for IE Research

• 1 Lecture: 1

• 1.1 Two cycles

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• The empirical (regulative) cycle consists of?

  1. Observation
  2. Induction (developing theory)
  3. Deduction (generating hypotheses)
  4. Testing (of hypotheses)
  5. Evaluation

• 1.4 The empirical cycle

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• 2. Induction (developing theory):

  Possible explanations of the problem identified in the literature.

• 3. Deduction (generating hypotheses)

  Formulate generic hypotheses.

• 1.8 Step 1: problem definition

• The problem definition step of the problem solving cycle Consists of:

  • Collect insights both internally and externally
  • Synthesize all information
  • Selection of business problem and demarcate
  • Decide on research framework: theory and deliverables •
  Plan: When to do what and why, using which resources
  • Write project proposal

• 1.8.1 Business problem

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• A problem statement refers to:

  the gap between current and desired business performance

• 1.8.1.1 Characteristics of business problems

• A business problem is:

  • part of a problem mess
    
  • Embedded in a social system --> Several stakeholders with different, potentially contradictory, perspectives and interests
    
  • Open ended: Multiple solutions are possible
    
  • Often solved within constrains of time and effort
    

• 1.8.2 Problem statement

• A problem statement describes:

  a business problem.

• The generic form of a problem statement:

  Y of X is Z
  
  Y = performance indicator, such as cost, quality, throughput time (determined by company)
  X = business process
  Z = unwanted value of outcome

• A problem statement is not:

  • It is NOT a question (“What is the cause of long run time?”)
  • It is NOT an assignment (“Shorten the runtime.”)
  • It is NOT a cause-effect relationship (“Cause of long run time is limited capacity of ….”)

• Within Industrial Engineering, a problem statement addresses:

  Processes, including input & output (eg, sales process)