Homogeneous Assays for Simplified Screening of HLA-conferred Genetic Disease Risk

The increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes has led researchers on a quest to find the reason behind this phenomenon. The rate of increase is too great to be caused simply by changes in the genetic component, and many environmental factors are under investigation for their possible contribution. These studies require, however, the participation of those individuals most likely to develop the disease, and the approach chosen by many is to screen vast populations to find persons with increased genetic risk factors. The participating individuals are then followed for signs of disease development, and their exposure to suspected environmental factors is studied. The main purpose of this study was to find a suitable tool for easy and inexpensive screening of certain genetic risk markers for type 1 diabetes. The method should be applicable to using whole blood dried on sample collection cards as sample material, since the shipping and storage of samples in this format is preferred. However, the screening of vast sample libraries of extracted genomic DNA should also be possible, if such a need should arise, for example, when studying the effect of newly discovered genetic risk markers. The method developed in this study is based on homogeneous assay chemistry and an asymmetrical polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The generated singlestranded PCR product is probed by lanthanide-labelled, LNA (locked nucleic acid)-spiked, short oligonucleotides with exact complementary sequences. In the case of a perfect match, the probe is hybridised to the product. However, if even a single nucleotide difference occurs, the probe is bound instead of the PCR product to a complementary quencher-oligonucleotide labelled with a dabcyl-moiety, causing the signal of the lanthanide label to be quenched. The method was applied to the screening of the well-known type 1 diabetes risk alleles of the HLA-DQB1 gene. The method was shown to be suitable as an initial screening step including thousands of samples in the scheme used in the TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young) study to identify those individuals at increased genetic risk. The method was further developed into dry-reagent form to allow an even simpler approach to screening. The reagents needed in the assay were in dry format in the reaction vessel, and performing the assay required only the addition of the sample and, if necessary, water to rehydrate the reagents. This allows the assay to be successfully executed even by a person with minimal laboratory experience.

Development of Collaborative Product Structure Management

The purpose of this thesis is to develop an environment or network that enables effective collaborative product structure management among stakeholders in each unit, throughout the entire product lifecycle and product data management. This thesis uses framework models as an approach to the problem. Framework model methods for development of collaborative product structure management are proposed in this study, there are three unique models depicted to support collaborative product structure management: organization model, process model and product model. In the organization model, the formation of product data management system (eDSTAT) key user network is specified. In the process model, development is based on the case company’s product development matrix. In the product model framework, product model management, product knowledge management and design knowledge management are defined as development tools and collaboration is based on web-based product structure management. Collaborative management is executed using all these approaches. A case study from an actual project at the case company is presented as an implementation; this is to verify the models’ applicability. A computer assisted design tool and the web-based product structure manager, have been used as tools of this collaboration with the support of the key user. The current PDM system, eDSTAT, is used as a piloting case for key user role. The result of this development is that the role of key user as a collaboration channel is defined and established. The key user is able to provide one on one support for the elevator projects. Also the management activities are improved through the application of process workflow by following criteria for each project milestone. The development shows effectiveness of product structure management in product lifecycle, improved production process by eliminating barriers (e.g. improvement of two-way communication) during design phase and production phase. The key user role is applicable on a global scale in the company.

Toiminnanohjausjärjestelmän implementointiprosessin ongelmat

Työn tavoitteena on kirjallisuutta tutkien etsiä toiminnanohjausjärjestelmän implementointiprosessissa esiintyviä ongelmia ja niiden ratkaisuja. Löydetyt ongelmat liittyvät suurelta osin yrityksen johtoon, projektipäällikköön ja -ryhmään, ohjelmistoon sekä loppukäyttäjiin. Suurimmat ongelmat koskevat muutoskäyttäytymistä, projektin johtamista eri muodoissa, ohjelmiston valintaa sekä työntekijöiden kouluttamista. Työn sisältönä on kirjallisuuskatsaus ongelmista ja menestystekijöistä implementointiprosessissa sekä erilaisten ratkaisu- ja toimintamallien esittäminen ongelmien ratkaisemiseksi. Lopputuloksena on opas, jonka avulla implementointiprosessi voidaan viedä menestyksekkäästi loppuun asti.

Evaluating the success of software development projects in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus

The size and complexity of projects in the software development are growing very fast. At the same time, the proportion of successful projects is still quite low according to the previous research. Although almost every project's team knows main areas of responsibility which would help to finish project on time and on budget, this knowledge is rarely used in practice. So it is important to evaluate the success of existing software development projects and to suggest a method for evaluating success chances which can be used in the software development projects. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the success of projects in the selected geographical region (Russia-Ukraine-Belarus). The second aim is to compare existing models of success prediction and to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Research was done as an empirical study. A survey with structured forms and theme-based interviews were used as the data collection methods. The information gathering was done in two stages. At the first stage, project manager or someone with similar responsibilities answered the questions over Internet. At the second stage, the participant was interviewed; his or her answers were discussed and refined. It made possible to get accurate information about each project and to avoid errors. It was found out that there are many problems in the software development projects. These problems are widely known and were discussed in literature many times. The research showed that most of the projects have problems with schedule, requirements, architecture, quality, and budget. Comparison of two models of success prediction presented that The Standish Group overestimates problems in project. At the same time, McConnell's model can help to identify problems in time and avoid troubles in future. A framework for evaluating success chances in distributed projects was suggested. The framework is similar to The Standish Group model but it was customized for distributed projects.

Contextuality in SME Ownership – Studies on Owner-managers’ Ownership Behavior

The purpose of this study is to deepen the understanding of the meaning of ownership in the context of small and medium sized businesses. The research on ownership has increased and widened during the last few years. Ownership is treated increasingly as a psychological phenomenon and it has been noticed that it is common for SME ownermanagers to be mentally linked to their firms. Previous research is suggesting that the central role of an owner-manager in an SME is specifying the concept of SMEs, and that ownership is creating a great heterogeneity within SMEs. This study suggests that there is a variation whitin ownership behaviour of small business owners, and the variation is not totally random or irrational, but following the general patterns of business ownership and of doing business on an SME level. This study is a concept analytical in nature and it builds on the theoretical clarification of the concept of ownership. The theoretical consideration concludes with proposing a definition of ownership: Ownership means a subject’s relatively sustaining position of control in regard to an object. The empirical part of this study consists of five articles, out of which one is conceptual and four are empirical in nature. The notion of contextuality of ownership and the notions of SME characteristics form the basic premise of this study and the theoretical basis for the publications. From the owner-managers point of view, ownership relates the owner also to his or her environment and therefore also to the valuations of the owner-managers. This means that all the dimensions are not equally valued, but certain dimensions in his or her ownership are more important. The presented empirical research is supporting the claim that there is a variation whitin ownership behaviour of small business owners. When bringing the definition of ownership onto a personal and psychological level and into the SME context, it was noticed that ownership is not only a closed system phenomenon occurring between the owner and object owned, but it is also elementarily connected to the environment. Ownership - along with the psychological side of it - is a contextual phenomenon where the fundamental factor is the relatively sustaining position of control with regard to an object. As a contribution of the study, this definition is bringing a new point of view to the discussion on SMEs, SME strategic behaviour and family businesses. The study concludes with pointing out directions for future research.

Software Licensing: Implementing Electronic Licensing in Medical Technology Company

The purpose of this thesis is to examine software licensing, how a software developer can benefit from it and to define specifications for licensing system of software based medical technology product. The thesis has been divided into theoretical and empirical parts. In the theoretical part the concept of software licensing and different aspects that are connected to it are examined with a help of research material. On the ground of this research, in the empirical part, a licensing system for a medical software product called iCentral is designed. The empirical part is based on interviews, questionnaire and on authors own experience gained while working for the case-company.The thesis has great practical importance for the case-company by proposing both an ideal, and more importantly, practical implementation for a licensing system of a product. Thesis shows that electronic licensing is a viable option to sell medical technology products without a need to revise existing procedures or the enterprise resource system in the case company.

Infrastruktuurin toimitusprojektoinnin hallinta

IT projektien hallinta on nykyään entistä haastavampaa aina muuttuvan ympäristön vuoksi. Siksi yritykset haluavatkin panostaa projektien hallinnan kehittämiseen yhdenmukaistamalla ohjeistusta. Lisäksi IT projektipäälliköiden huono saatavuus on tuonut yrityksille lisähaasteita, jolloin ohjeistus on entistä tärkeämpi. Tässä työssä toteutetaan projektijohtamisen kasikirja. Tämä käsikirja antaa projektipäällikölle selkeän projektinhallintaohjeistuksen infrastruktuurin toimitusprojektoinnissa. Toteutettava käsikirja sisältää kuvaukset infrastniktuuriprojektin osa alueista ja tarkistuspisteistä. Lisäksi ohjeistuksessa selvennetään projektipäällikön työhön liittyvien prosessien mukaisia työvaiheita. Tämän diplomityön aikana on Logica Finlandille toteutettu sovellettu projektiohjekirja ICT infrastruktuuriprojekteihin.

Välittäjäorganisaation rooli innovaatioverkostossa ja sen luottamuksen rakentumisessa

Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee välittäjäorganisaation roolia innovaatioverkos-tossa ja innovaatioverkoston luottamuksen rakentumisessa. Tavoitteena on etsiä, mitkä tekijät rakentavat luottamusta innovaatioverkoston ja välit-täjäorganisaation toiminnassa sekä selvittää innovaatioverkoston ja välittäjäorganisaation luottamuksen välistä suhdetta Tutkimus toteutettiin laadullisena tutkimuksena, jonka teoriaosuus koostui luottamusta rakentavista tekijöistä ja innovaatioverkoston sekä välittäjäorganisaation luottamusta tutkineesta kirjallisuudesta. Empiirinen materiaali koostui kahdeksan vuotta toimineen innovaatioverkoston jäsenten ja asiakkaiden haastatteluista ja täydentävistä kyselyistä Tutkimuksen tuloksena voidaan todeta, että luottamus perustuu yhteistyöhön ja vuorovaikutukseen, joiden tulee olla avointa, rehellistä, tasapuolista ja keskustelevaa. Välittäjäorganisaation, joka edustaa innovaatioverkostoa sen ulkopuolella, luottamuksen rakentumiseen vaikuttaa, kuinka se onnistuu roolissaan verkoston johtajana ja orkesteroijana. Innovaatioverkoston sisäinen luottamus rakentuu sen jäsenten roolikäyttäytymisestä ja siitä kuinka koko verkosto käyttäytyy.

Utilization of Incident Reporting in The Finnish Maritime Industry

Marine traffic is expected to increase rapidly in the future, both in the Baltic Sea and in the Gulf of Finland. As the number of vessels in the area increases, so does the risk of serious marine accidents. To help prevent such accidents in the future, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has put forth the International Safety Management Code (the ISM Code), which aims to improve the safety of the vessels. The second work package of the Development of maritime safety culture (METKU) project investigates the effects of the ISM Code and potential areas of improvement in maritime safety. The first phase in the work package used a literature review to determine how maritime safety culture could be improved. Continuous improvement, management commitment and personnel empowerment and motivation were found to be essential. In the second phase, shipping companies and administrators were interviewed. It was discovered that especially incident reporting based on continuous improvement was felt to be lacking. This third phase aims to take a closer look at incident reporting and suggest improvements based on the findings. Both the IMO and national legislation encourage shipping companies in incident reporting, and on the national level a shared incident reporting system (ForeSea) is being pushed forward. The objective of this research project was to find out the IMO’s attitude towards incident reporting, to establish a theoretical framework of reference in incident reporting, and to observe how reporting is actually being employed on the seas. Existing incident reporting systems were also researched. The study was carried out using a literature review and the results previously gathered in interviews. The results of phase two were elaborated further for themes relating to incident reporting. According to the findings of this research, the theoretical background of incident reporting dates back to the early 20th century. Although some theories are widely accepted, some have also received criticism. The lack of a concise, shared terminology poses major difficulties in maritime incident reporting and in determining its efficiency. A central finding is the fact that existing incident reporting focuses mostly on information flow away from the ship, whereas the backward information flow is much less planned and monitored. In incident reporting, both nationally and internationally, stakeholders are plenty. The information produced by these parties is scattered, however, and thus not very usable. Based on this research, the centralizing of this information should be made a priority. Traditionally, the success of incident reporting has been determined statistically, from the number of reported incidents. Yet existing reporting systems have not been designed with such statistical analysis in mind, so different methodologies might yield a more comprehensive view. The previous findings of seafarers and management (including shipping companies and administration) having differing views on safety work and safety management were backed up by the results of this study. Seafarers find seamanship and storytelling important, while management wants a more systematic and broad approach on safety matters. The research project was carried out by the Centre for Maritime Studies of the University of Turku, in the Kotka unit (Maritime Logistics Research), with coordination by the Kotka Maritime Research Centre. The major financiers of the project were the European Union and the city of Kotka. The financing authority was the Regional Council of Päijät-Häme. Partners in the project were the shipping companies Finnlines Oyj, Kristina Cruises Oy, Meriaura Oy and VG-Shipping Oy, and the ports of Helsinki, Kotka and Hamina. The partners provided both funding for the project and information for the research.

Hankintaosaaminen Päijät-Hämeen sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kuntayhtymässä

Pro gradu -tutkielman tarkoituksena on tutkia Päijät-Hämeen sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kuntayhtymän hankintojen roolia ja asemaa koko organisaatiossa ja sen muodostamia tavoitteita ja haasteita hankinta-asiantuntijuudelle. Tutkielman avulla pyritään selvittämään, millaisista elementeistä organisaation hankinta-asiantuntijuus muodostuu ja millaiset tekijät vaikuttavat organisaation hankinta-asiantuntijuustarpeisiin. Tutkielma ottaa kantaa hankintojen roolituksista kumpuaviin asiantuntijuuden kehittämistarpeisiin. Tutkielma on luonteeltaan kvantitatiivisia sekä kvalitatiivisia menetelmiä yhdistelevä case-tutkimus. Pyrkimyksenä on kartoittaa kuntayhtymälle ehdotelma hankinta-asiantuntijuuden kehittämisestä haastattelujen ja kyselyn avulla sekä kirjallisuuteen perehtyen. Teorian pohjalta pystyttiin muodostamaan hankintapäällikölle, hankintasihteereille sekä OTO -ostajille osaamisprofiilit, joihin peilattiin tämän hetkistä osaamistasoa. Tutkimustulokset osoittivat, että hankinta-asiantuntijuus case -organisaatiossa on tällä hetkellä hyvällä tasolla. Hankintaprofiilista riippumatta kehittämistä kaivattiin Liiketoimintastrategian, Suomen hankintalainsäädännön, Sopimusoikeuden sekä Hankintaprosessin suhteen.

Projektinhallinta

Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena on tutkia yleisiä projektinhallinnan menetelmiä ja keinoja. Projektinhallinnan ensisijainen ja tärkein tavoite on onnistunut projekti. Projektinhallinnan avulla pyritään helpottamaan isojen projektien suunnittelua, organisointia ja jokapäiväistä hallintaa. Onnistuneen ja laadukkaan projektinhallinnan avulla projekti voidaanpäättää suunnitellun sisältöisenä aikataulun sekä budjetin mukaisesti laatua unohtamatta. Työn alussa selvitetään projektityön määritelmä ja sen erikoispiirteet,sekä luodaan yleiskatsaus projektityöskentelyyn. Työn painopiste on projektinhallinannan osalta projektien suunnittelussa ja organisoinnissa, koska huolellinen projektin suunnittelu on jokaisen onnistuneen projektin lähtökohta. Työssä esitellään myös erilaisia projektinhallinnan työkalujaja johtamiskäytäntöjä. Opinnäytetyön case osuudessa tutkitaan projektinhallintaa sahalaitostoimituksessa. Sahalaitostoimitusprojekti on tyypillinen toimitusprojekti, jossa käsiteltävä yritys toimittaa sahalaitosratkaisuja asiakkaille. Case osuudessa perehdytään case-yrityksen projektinhallintaan ja verrataan sitä teoriaosuudessa suositeltuihin projektinhallintamenetelmiin, sekä lopuksi tehdään parannusehdotuksia teoriaosuuteen perustuen.

Esimiestyöllä työn imua

Yritys edistää menestymistään oikeanlaisen johtamisen sekä työn imua omaavan henkilöstön kautta. Johtajuus käsittää asioiden- ja henkilöiden johtamisen sekä valmentamisen. Tutkimus etenee johtamisen teemasta valmentamisen ja motivaation kautta työn imun kokemuksiin. Henkilöjohtaminen tarkoittaa lähes kokonaan esimiehen käyttäytymistä, mikä on koko ajan tarkkailun alla, halusi hän sitä tai ei. Leader -johtaja tekee organisaatiossa muutosta. Valmentaminen on erinomainen tapa päästä lähelle työntekijöitä ja aikaansaada oikeansuuntaista ja haluttua kehitystä. Valmentamisen yksi tärkeimmistä työkaluista on avoimet kysymykset, joiden avulla esimies pystyy auttamaan valmennettavaa löytämään omat vahvuutensa, kehittämiskohteensa sekä motivaationlähteensä. Työn imu on yksi työhyvinvoinnin käsitteistä. Työn imulla tarkoitetaan myönteistä tunne- ja motivaatiotäyttymyksen tilaa, jota luonnehtivat tarmokkuus (vigor), omistautuminen (dedication) ja uppoutuminen (absorption). Se on pitkäkestoinen ja kaikkialle levittyvä tila, joka ei kohdistu mihinkään yhteen tiettyyn asiaan, tapahtumaan, yksilöön tai käyttäytymiseen.

IDEAS for Strategic Technology Management: Design of an electronically mediated scenario method

The age-old adage goes that nothing in this world lasts but change, and this generation has indeed seen changes that are unprecedented. Business managers do not have the luxury of going with the flow: they have to plan ahead, to think strategies that will meet the changing conditions, however stormy the weather seems to be. This demand raises the question of whether there is something a manager or planner can do to circumvent the eye of the storm in the future? Intuitively, one can either run on the risk of something happening without preparing, or one can try to prepare oneself. Preparing by planning for each eventuality and contingency would be impractical and prohibitively expensive, so one needs to develop foreknowledge, or foresight past the horizon of the present and the immediate future. The research mission in this study is to support strategic technology management by designing an effective and efficient scenario method to induce foresight to practicing managers. The design science framework guides this study in developing and evaluating the IDEAS method. The IDEAS method is an electronically mediated scenario method that is specifically designed to be an effective and accessible. The design is based on the state-of-the-art in scenario planning, and the product is a technology-based artifact to solve the foresight problem. This study demonstrates the utility, quality and efficacy of the artifact through a multi-method empirical evaluation study, first by experimental testing and secondly through two case studies. The construction of the artifact is rigorously documented as justification knowledge as well as the principles of form and function on the general level, and later through the description and evaluation of instantiations. This design contributes both to practice and foundation of the design. The IDEAS method contributes to the state-of-the-art in scenario planning by offering a light-weight and intuitive scenario method for resource constrained applications. Additionally, the study contributes to the foundations and methods of design by forging a clear design science framework which is followed rigorously. To summarize, the IDEAS method is offered for strategic technology management, with a confident belief that it will enable gaining foresight and aid the users to choose trajectories past the gales of creative destruction and off to a brighter future.

Osingonjakopäätökset pienissä osakeyhtiöissä. Empiirinen tutkimus osakeyhtiölain varojenjakosäännösten toteutumisesta

Tässä väitöstutkimuksessa tarkastellaan Suomen osakeyhtiölain pakottavien varojenjakosäännösten vaikutusta osingonjakopaatoksiin. Lain vaikutuksen seuraamisen lisäksi pyritään muodostamaan kokonaiskuva tekijöistä, jotka vaikuttavat pienissä yhtiöissä tehtäviin osingonjakopäätöksiin. Väitöskirja koostuu kahdesta eri osasta. Ensimmäisessä osassa osoitetaan, kuinka toisen osan artikkelit muodostavat kokonaisuuden ja esitellään tutkimustulokset. Väitöskirjan toinen osa koostuu neljästä toisiaan täydentävästä artikkelista. Tutkimus etenee julkaisujen myötä ensin maksukykytestin määrittelystä maksukykytestiin liittyviin oikeudellisiin ongelmiin sekä tilinpaatoksen merkitykseen osingonjakopäätöksissä, siirtyen sitten omistaja johtajan tarpeisiin ja tavoitteisiin, päättyen lopuksi velkojan näkökulmaan. Tutkimuksen tavoitteeksi asetettiin kokonaiskuvan muodostaminen niistä tekijöistä, jotka vaikuttavat osingonjakopäätöksen tekemiseen pienissä osakeyhtiöissä. Tavoitteena oli myös selvittää kuinka osakeyhtiölain 13 luvun varojenjakosäännökset otetaan huomioon osingonjakopäätöstä tehtäessä. Tutkimusaineistona käytettiin sekä kyselytutkimusaineistoa että tilinpäätöstietoja. Aineistoa analysoitiin kvantitatiivisin menetelmin. Tutkimusaineistosta löydettiin kolme erilaista varallisuuden siirtämisen strategiaa. Ne nimettiin seuraavasti: tulojen maksimointi, verosuunnittelu, palkan jousto. Tutkimuksesta nousee esiin kolme keskeistä tulosta. Ensinnäkin, liiketaloustieteellinen maksukyvyn merkitys poikkeaa oikeustieteessä käsitetystä maksukyvystä. Toiseksi, osakeyhtiölain 13 luvun varojenjakosäännökset tulee ottaa huomioon sekä osingonjakopäätöstä tehtäessä että varojen tosiasiallisesti siirtyessä pois yhtiön vaikutuspiiristä. Kolmanneksi, pääomatuloverotuksen kiristyessä omistaja johtaja saattaa siirtää varallisuutta yhtiöstä yksityistalouteen osingon sijasta palkkana. Tämän seurauksena maksukykytestin merkitys vähenee erityisesti pienissä yhtiöissä. Tulosten perusteella tasetesti näyttää olevan pienissä yhtiöissä maksukykytestiä merkityksellisempi.

Training system for conceptual design and evaluation for wastewater treatment

Rising population, rapid urbanisation and growing industrialisation have severely stressed water quality and its availability in Malawi. In addition, financial and institutional problems and the expanding agro industry have aggravated this problem. The situation is worsened by depleting water resources and pollution from untreated sewage and industrial effluent. The increasing scarcity of clean water calls for the need for appropriate management of available water resources. There is also demand for a training system for conceptual design and evaluation for wastewater treatment in order to build the capacity for technical service providers and environmental practitioners in the country. It is predicted that Malawi will face a water stress situation by 2025. In the city of Blantyre, this situation is aggravated by the serious pollution threat from the grossly inadequate sewage treatment capacity. This capacity is only 23.5% of the wastewater being generated presently. In addition, limited or non-existent industrial effluent treatment has contributed to the severe water quality degradation. This situation poses a threat to the ecologically fragile and sensitive receiving water courses within the city. This water is used for domestic purposes further downstream. This manuscript outlines the legal and policy framework for wastewater treatment in Malawi. The manuscript also evaluates the existing wastewater treatment systems in Blantyre. This evaluation aims at determining if the effluent levels at the municipal plants conform to existing standards and guidelines and other associated policy and regulatory frameworks. The raw material at all the three municipal plants is sewage. The typical wastewater parameters are Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The treatment target is BOD5, COD, and TSS reduction. Typical wastewater parameters at the wastewater treatment plant at MDW&S textile and garments factory are BOD5 and COD. The treatment target is to reduce BOD5 and COD. The manuscript further evaluates a design approach of the three municipal wastewater treatment plants in the city and the wastewater treatment plant at Mapeto David Whitehead & Sons (MDW&S) textile and garments factory. This evaluation utilises case-based design and case-based reasoning principles in the ED-WAVE tool to determine if there is potential for the tool in Blantyre. The manuscript finally evaluates the technology selection process for appropriate wastewater treatment systems for the city of Blantyre. The criteria for selection of appropriate wastewater treatment systems are discussed. Decision support tools and the decision tree making process for technology selection are also discussed. Based on the treatment targets and design criteria at the eight cases evaluated in this manuscript in reference to similar cases in the ED-WAVE tool, this work confirms the practical use of case-based design and case-based reasoning principles in the ED-WAVE tool in the design and evaluation of wastewater treatment 6 systems in sub-Sahara Africa, using Blantyre, Malawi, as the case study area. After encountering a new situation, already collected decision scenarios (cases) are invoked and modified in order to arrive at a particular design alternative. What is necessary, however, is to appropriately modify the case arrived at through the Case Study Manager in order to come up with a design appropriate to the local situation taking into account technical, socio-economic and environmental aspects. This work provides a training system for conceptual design and evaluation for wastewater treatment.