HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

PREDICTION OF GLOBAL HORIZONTAL IRRADIATION USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL

NETWORKS IN ZIMBABWE
BY
TAVAKUDZIRA R.K. SANZVENGA
REG. NUMBER: H0710220C

A PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN

PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (HONOURS) DEGREE IN
INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

HARARE, ZIMBABWE
MAY 2016

The general outline of the HIT400 proposal consist of the following:

ABSTRACT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the problem
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Research Aim
1.4 Research Objectives
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Justification
1.7 Scope/Delimitations
2.0 METHODOLOGY
3.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
4.0 CONCLUSION
5.0 GANTT CHART

Please check for a detailed explanation following;

ABSTRACT
[An abstract summarizes, usually in one paragraph of 300 words or less, the major aspects of the
entire research in a prescribed sequence that includes:
1) the overall purpose of the study and the research problem(s) you investigated;
2) the basic design of the study;
3) major findings or trends found as a result of your analysis; and,
4) a brief summary of your interpretations and conclusions. ]
Source: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/abstract

An abstract should answer the following:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What was done?

Why was it done?
How was it done?
What was found?
What is the significance of the findings?
Example Abstract
This research sought to improve productivity through process optimisation at Land Rover
manufacturing and Sales. It was a direct application of the concepts of computer integrated
manufacturing (CIM) in which focus was given to production facility systems and
computerised manufacturing support systems. Modeling and simulation, Pareto analysis, root
cause analysis, Weibull analysis, time study, experimentation, interviews, and historical data
were used as research and analysis instruments. The production facility system was optimised
through redesign of the plant layout to minimize material handling, the determination of
standard times, economic batch quantities and the reliability function, which formed the basis
for preventive maintenance. The manufacturing support system was optimised through the
design of a computerised manufacturing support system that consolidated the designs in
relation to production facility systems and used for production facility system monitoring and
evaluation for further improvements. This study revealed that there is an important link
between the various manufacturing systems (organization of people and facilities) within a
company and that these need to be integrated by a computerised manufacturing support system
for efficient and effective operation. This study recommends that companies need to adopt CIM
systems since they open a good platform for higher productivity within an organization.
However, it is recommended that whenever a company wishes to adopt such a system, it is a
good idea if the system is specially developed and customized for that particular company only
as this will make it easy to implement and monitor.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
[The introduction establishes the context and significance of the research being conducted by
summarizing current understanding and background information about the topic, stating the
purpose of the work in the form of the research problem, aims and objectives supported by a
hypothesis or a set of questions.]
source: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/introduction
1.1 Background of the problem
In the past years (e.g. in year 2006) the company used to produce items with a cumulative sum
of up to 500 000 items of different variety per month. With such a production level, they
could supply all their customers without backlog. This company yielded profits of the order of
$250 000 USD per month. For the past years they have lost their skilled and experienced
workers due to economic hardships that were being experienced in Zimbabwe. These included
the engineer, 2 artisans (electrical and mechanical), and 4 operators. These people went with
their knowledge. The remaining operators are less experienced and their performance cannot be
compared to those who left. Much of the required knowledge and information for the efficient
and optimum utilization of machines, workers and raw materials is not known to the remaining
workers and managers as some are new to the system. Such information includes labour
standards, production rates and equipment maintenance. This has dramatically manifested in a
steep decline in productivity with current productivity performance indicators valued as in table
1.1 below; (refer to section 4.1 for detailed calculations).
Table 1.1 Current productivity
PRODUCTIVITY MEASURE
Labour productivity
Raw material productivity
Equipment productivity
Total factor productivity

%
48.70%
88.72%
44.40%
50.40%

The cumulative sum of products being manufactured now barely reach 60 000 units per month.
At times the company often runs on a loss. Meanwhile the company also find is very difficult to
remunerate their workers. On the other hand, however, demand levels are still escalating. Their
customer base is wide based on the previously built reputation since they offer unique products
which are unparalleled. Sadly the company has been failing to meet the demand despite their
capacity to produce products at a level that will meet and exceed demand.
It was against this background that the author was challenged to come up with a solution that
will bring productivity to acceptable levels in relation to world standards.

1.2 Problem Statement

[It is just one sentence. In it, you are looking for something wrong, something that needs close
attention, or something where existing methods no longer seem to be working.]
In simple terms it is like blaming the existing method, machine, process etc. pointing on
something wrong but in a scientific and professional way.
Examples:
1. The frequency of job layoffs is creating fear, anxiety, and a loss of productivity in middle
management workers.
2. For the past five years Land Rover Plastics has undergone a 39.6% drop in productivity (from
90% to 50.4%) and 48.83% drop in OEE (from 93.83% to 45%), with profit levels falling
heavily from an average of $450 000 per month to a series of monthly losses averaging about
$2000 per month on extreme cases thus proportionately threatening the existence of the
company.
Aim and Objectives
Aims are what you hope to achieve by the end of your dissertation. They should be clear and
concise statements, but expressed in general terms.
A research proposal's aims are statements that broadly point out what you hope to accomplish
and your desired outcomes from the research.
Objectives are how you intend to achieve those aims. They will include the specific means of
answering the research questions that you have posed and details of the key issues involved.
The objectives, and there are usually more than one, are the specific steps you will take to
achieve your aim. This is where you make the project tangible by saying how you are going to
go about it.
1.3 Research Aim
Example: This research is aimed at developing an efficient and effective production system
based on a detailed analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the LR plastic manufacturing plant,
processes and procedures in order to improve productivity.
1.4 Research Objectives
Examples:
1. To design a plant layout that minimizes travel distances between machines and departments by
at least 90% thus reducing material handling cost from the current $5440 to at most $600 per
month through the use of travel charts,
2. To establish labour standards (the number of worker-minutes) that gives the least possible time
required in mounting and dismounting moulds through time study,
3. To develop a mathematical model that forms the basis for preventive maintenance to give a
plant reliability of 65% through Weibull analysis which will enable a 40% increase in OEE
from 45% to above 85%,
4. To determine the Economic Batch Quantities that will reduce production loss due to frequent
mould changes by at least 95% through operations research,
4

5. To develop a computerized manufacturing support system for production system management

(i.e. monitoring, controlling and evaluation), that will consolidate the research findings in
relation to the four objectives mentioned above,
6. To simulate the current production system and the proposed production system to determine the
effectiveness of the new designs.
1.5 Research Questions
A research question is the fundamental core of a research project, study, or review of literature.
It focuses the study, determines the methodology, and guides all stages of inquiry, analysis, and
reporting. Source: https://researchrundowns.com/intro/writing-research-questions/
1.6 Justification
Research justification states why the study is warranted.
What is the potential value of the study?
To whom the results of the study will be important, in what way and how?
Source: http://www.clt.astate.edu/sdrake/Research/chapter_1.htm
Examples:
1. The decline in productivity has resulted in the company failing to utilize its capacity to generate
about $800,000.00 each month,
2. Regardless of their previous lions share status, the company has lost 40% of its market share
to upcoming competitors due to failure to produce.
1.7 Scope/Delimitations
Delimitations describe the population from which generalisations can be carefully made and are
under the control of the researcher. The delimitations are actively chosen by the investigator
Choices of research question, objectives, variables, populations and methods of analysis based
on alternative theoretical perspectives will determine how general the findings can be
interpreted.
Source: http://www.erm.ecs.soton.ac.uk/theme8/defining_scope_of_research.html
Example:
This research is limited to the production department only although it is supported by
procurement and inventory.

2.0 METHODOLOGY
Whilst there are slightly different variations according to the exact type of research, the
methodology can be divided into a few sections.
Describe the materials and equipment used in the research.
Describe the softwares used and what they were used for.
Explain how the samples were gathered, any randomization techniques and how the samples
were prepared.
Explain how the measurements were made and what calculations were performed upon the raw
data.
5

 Describe the statistical techniques used upon the data.

Example:
This research is a direct application of the concepts of computer integrated manufacturing
(CIM) in which focus will be given to production facility systems and computerised
manufacturing support systems. Modeling and simulation, Pareto analysis, root cause analysis,
Weibull analysis, time study, experimentation, interviews, and historical data will be used as
research and analysis instruments. The production facility system will be optimised through
redesign of the plant layout to minimize material handling, the determination of standard times,
economic batch quantities and the reliability function, which forms the basis for preventive
maintenance. The manufacturing support system will be optimised through the design of a
computerised manufacturing support system that consolidates the designs in relation to
production facility systems and used for production facility system monitoring and evaluation
for further improvements.
3.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Outcomes are the results that the researcher expects to be achieved after the successful
completion of the project. The outcomes could be quantitative or qualitative or both. We should
try to make the outcomes quantitative as much as we can as the audience always give an eye to
it. These outcomes could be three, four and maximum five in numbers, in line with the
objectives & goals of the project.
Source: https://www.fundsforngos.org/free-resources-for-ngos/expected-outcomes-proposal/
Example:
1. This research will increase productivity by 60%.
2. Idle time will be eliminated.
3. Sales will increase by 20%.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The conclusion is intended to help the reader understand why your research should matter to
them after they have finished reading the paper. A conclusion is not merely a summary of the
main topics covered or a re-statement of your research problem, but a synthesis of key points
and, if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future research. For most essays, one
well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, a two or three
paragraph conclusion may be required.
Source: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion
5.0 GANTT CHART
A Gantt chart is a planning, communication and tracking tool, and is certainly not set in stone.
A Gantt chart helps you plan ahead and communicate your plans and progress to your
supervisors and review board. Importantly it helps you keep track of progress, allowing you to
better understand whether you are on-track as you progress in your research, and if necessary,
enabling you to redirect your efforts and take corrective action as early as possible.
6

Source: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/handbook/05-candidature/06-monitoringacademic-progress/10-planning-communicating-tracking/
Example:

HIT 400 - Gantt Chart

2
05Sep

07Sep

12Sep

0
22Sep

1
26Sep

Submission of Selected topic to

1 coordinators
2 Oral Presentation of proposal
3 Submit Corrected proposal
Complete Chapter 1& 2 and submit
4 to supervisor
5 Submit corrected Chapters
Complete Chapter 3&4 and submit
6 to supervisor
7 Submit corrected chapters
Complete Chapter 5 and Working
8 Drawings submit to supervisor
Submit bill of materials and Scope of
9 work to supervisor
1 Mid - Term Progress evaluation and
0 Presentations
1 Fabrication of Functional prototype,
1 overseen by technician
1
2 Complete Prototype
Submit Chapter six/seven (Results
1 and conclusions and Economic
3 analysis)
Submit final document with all
1 corrections & Powerpoint to
4 supervisor
Submit final document, simulations,
1 prototypes, softwares & powerpoint
5 to coordinators
1
6 Presentations setup

6
7Oct

2
10- 15Oct Nov

25Feb

8Mar

10- 25_ 25810Apr Apr May May May May

1 Oral Presentation of project, with

7 demonstration of prototype

1.
2.
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
4.
5.

PRESENTATION
Having written the proposal you should now prepare for the presentations and these are some
of the important points to note:
Dress properly for the presentation,
Give a brief and clear explanation of the problem at the start of the presentation,
Follow with the:
Problem statement
Aim
Objectives
Research Questions (In brief)
Scope
Justification
Expected results
Finally present a brief conclusion outlining the significance of your study and your contribution
in solving the problem at hand.
Normally if you know exactly what's the problem and what you would like to do to solve it, it
won't take you more than 3 minutes to set the tone.