Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Project Planning And Time Management - 1389 Words

Project Plan 1. Introduction Among the major factors involved in the successful completion of a PhD programme are project planning and time management. Therefore, defining and clarifying the scope and objectives of a project and breaking down the work into tasks and subtasks are crucial in order to achieve the set objectives, assess the projected timing and duration and prioritise key tasks with regard to importance and urgency. Frequent monitoring of progress against the plan constitute an essential part of the project review (assessment) process and are essential in order to ensure that the project is progressing successfully [1]. The attached Excel Gantt chart spreadsheet (the template sourced from [2]) represents the project plan for the first year of my PhD programme in the Computer Science department at Aston University, which began in May 2014. The plan was constructed based on the principles of project management (planning, performing of tasks, monitoring, and completion). The following sections present a synopsis of the research project and a discussion of how the specified tasks and subtasks can be achieved. 2. Synopsis of Research Project and Overall Aims The research project aims to produce a Decision Support System (DSS) for predicting potential outcomes using fuzzy methods. The system will be tested on the domain of predicting water pipe condition, which uses input data that comes mostly from measurements. The overall goal is to explore how differentShow MoreRelatedEssay on Construction Project Management and Business Management925 Words   |  4 PagesConstruction Project Management and Business Management Over the past few years, the construction industry has been changing dramatically. One of the most important stages in the construction management and business management is the planning phase. They share similar two main levels of planning which are the strategic and operational planning. However, business management planning to decide in advance what should be done, and how to do it, when you do and you are done. On the other hand, ConstructionRead MoreOrganization Planning, Project Management, and Information Technology1319 Words   |  6 PagesApplication: Organization Planning, Project Management, and Information Technology The successful implementation and subsequent meaningful use of information technology solutions within a health care organization is a challenging and iterative process. The organization must engage in careful and ongoing strategic and tactical planning to ensure that the implemented technology will ultimately be effective and beneficial for its practitioners, staff, and patients. To prepare for this ApplicationRead MoreThe Importance Of A Project Manager On A Construction Site1052 Words   |  5 PagesPart 1. Investigation A project is one which has a start and end to it but for a project to start there is lot of planning is done much before the actual project is started, the project manager is the one who has everything on his shoulders from start to end and even after the end if further assistance is required to the client. There are basically ten things that a project manager on a construction site has to take care of, planning the work, hiring and firing of employers, supervising the workRead MoreProject Management And The Major Areas Of Projects Management1619 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Project Management and the major areas of project management, let see actually what is a project? A project is defined as â€Å"â€Å"a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result† (Schwalbe, 2014). Projects involve different operations like the project is terminated when the scope and objective of the project are met. According to an IT project or any kind of project it involves number of persons or a team or an individual in order to complete the mission. A project canRead MoreProject Management Tools And Techniques1203 Words   |  5 Pages Project Management Tools and Techniques Stephanie Czechowicz MSc Project Managment Anglia Ruskin University 05/01/2016 Project Management Tools and Techniques A number of techniques are used by the project managers for the success of a project. Any activity or a task that needs some preparation for achieving goals can be done better by the use of methods of project management (chapman, 2002). These methods can help the managers in planning and management of different sort of tasks, especiallyRead MoreEssay: the Importance of Planning Project Boundaries1707 Words   |  7 PagesEssay: The Importance of Planning Project Boundaries By: Camila Ferrari - 09175130 1 - Introduction: â€Å"Project management is a series of activities embodied in a process of getting things done† (Cleland, 2007, p.51). What stages would be involved on defining the ‘series of activities’ and what needs to be ‘done’? Would a complete definition of the project and its boundaries be directly linked to the project success? This essay will critically analyze the following statement: â€Å"The FirstRead MoreSoftware Project Management Quiz Questions1182 Words   |  5 Pages | ____ 2. ____ processes include defining and authorizing a project or project phase. |a. |Monitoring and controlling |c. |Executing | |b. |Planning |d. |Initiating | ____ 3. The Project Communications Management knowledge area maps to the ____ process group through the activity of information distributionRead MoreProject Management Life Cycle Description Essay1295 Words   |  6 Pagesthe project team will utilize the project management life cycle to ensure the projects forward movement. This cycle promotes an organized manner in which to keep the project within the time scope, budget scopes, and facilitates fluid processes to harness risks and make appropriate decisions based on research, analysis, and proper process usage. This cycle includes five phases: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the plan, monitoring and controlling aspects of the project, andRead MoreProject Management : Project Planning Fundamentals1213 Words   |  5 PagesThese have brought very effective changes to project management.project management includes implementing,controlling,goals and identifying tasks which are to be achieved.the concept of the project and project management involves project evaluation,project selection,project planning fundamentals.project cost control and scheduling of a project in critical methom(cpm) which are crucial to technology-intensive organizations which have been discussed.a project is a sequence structure that are connectedRead MoreProject Management Principles Of A Project Manager Essay1319 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Construction projects have always been a very important part of human civilisation. For handling a construction project there need men, money, machinery, material and management. The project would be successful when the project manager has these five variables under control. The key to project success is to pick the right project manager. A right project manager is the person who manages the triple constraints (cost, quality and time), scope and safety for the project to be planned in a correct

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Cost Of Higher Education Essay - 1296 Words

Karla Fiscal-Zatarain Communications M01 Ben Bates 28 July 2015 The Cost of Higher Education General Purpose: To persuade. Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience that the cost of a higher education is too high and should be lowered to a much reasonable price. Central Idea: The cost to attend universities has skyrocketed over the past few decades and because of this, many students have chosen to skip out or put it off because they simply can’t afford it. Introduction: Attention Getter: On November 18, 2011, students from the University of California, Davis gathered around in silent protest in the universities’ quad. They were peaceful. Yes they broke a few rules - nothing big though. Yet police wouldn t have it and they wanted them out. After refusing the police s requests to remove themselves from the quad, the students were pepper sprayed in front of everybody for everyone to watch and record. Videos like the one I just showed you surfaced across the web and on news broadcasts around the country. What exactly were these students protesting? The increase of tuition in universities nationwide. Introduce Topic: It seems that dream of continuing on to a higher education is getting harder and harder to achieve right after high school because it s getting much more difficult to afford. With an average cost of about $19,000 - $23,000 - per year - according to Trends in Higher Education published onto College Board, last updated in 2015, students find themselves takingShow MoreRelatedThe Cost of Higher Education754 Words   |  3 Pages For most high school seniors the cost of higher education may be a daily or at least. It is an even a concern in that a group of students, who all share a common, concern, around the same age, but with no reliable income. Each one is making a huge investment in their future, but in majority of cases adding more and more debt to their lifestyles. Though majority of students receive financial aid, the amount of debt which tuition builds is beyond stressing. For some students relying on their familyRead MoreThe Cost Of A Higher Education958 Words   |  4 PagesAll through life, most children are told that getting a higher education is the only way to have a successful life. Each year the cost of college rises, with that the total student debt rises as more students take out loans to help pay for his or her education. An astounding 1.2 trillion dollars is the United States student debt amount, and every year it continues to grow. (Investor’s Business, 2015, p. A14). According t o new reports, 27.3% of student loans are delinquent and that on average a student’sRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education1100 Words   |  5 PagesOver the past four decades, the costs of higher education has risen at a rate that surpasses the rate on inflation. Students, parents, and policymakers are concern about the rapid increase. The literature supports that there are multiple trends such as a decline in federal and state support as well as outdated policies and practices that have contributed to continued rise. Thelin (2015) analyzed Edwin Slosson’s 1910 anthology on Great American Universities, which provided data on fourteen prominentRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education898 Words   |  4 PagesThe cost of higher education College institutions offer a wide range of degrees and certificates, ranging from associate degrees to post-doctorates. A bachelors degree is another name for a 4-year degree, and such can be given in a wide variety of fields of study. According to the Digest of Education Statistics, during 2012 and 2013 more than 1,8 million bachelor degrees were conferred to college students in 34 different fields of study. So, prior to defining the cost of education, there is a needRead MoreHigher Education Costs And Education983 Words   |  4 Pages Higher Education Costs Education, there should be no class distinction. Education should be provided to all, irrespective of their economic, social or religious backgrounds. Education is defined as gaining knowledge which is funded by the government or charity organizations for awareness, charity, religious, or any other motives. It’s like an investment which helps to build the economy in the long run rather than a way of getting short-term inceptives from students.Read MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education2006 Words   |  9 PagesThe Cost of Higher Education Has Resulted in Extreme Student Loan Debt, How Do We Reverse This Cycle? During high school we are often told that higher education is essentially a precursor to achieving success in the workforce, meaning that your success is dependent upon earning a degree. We are also told that higher education is the key to â€Å"happiness† because it is clear that both a fulfilling and lucrative career is a direct representation of success. Sometimes parents, teachers, and guidance counselorsRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education Essay2074 Words   |  9 PagesHow to Combat the Cost of Rising Higher Education The cost of higher education is on the rise in the United States of America (USA). â€Å"Technology tends to unbundle stuff. Look how it’s unbundling television, or how it unbundled the music album. The college degree is a bundle that doesn’t work for everybody and creates unnatural market conditions, which is why college costs consistently rise faster than inflation.† (Newsweek) The cost of higher education tuition is skyrocketing throughout the USARead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education Essay2115 Words   |  9 PagesThe cost of higher education is on the rise in the United States of America (USA). â€Å"Technology tends to unbundle stuff. Look how it’s unbundling television, or how it unbundled the music album. The college degree is a bundle that doesn’t work for everybody and creates unnatural market conditions, which is why college costs consistently rise faster than inflation.† (Newsweek) The cost of higher education tuition is skyrocke ting throughout the USA. Imagine being a lower class family, both you and yourRead MoreThe Cost Of Higher Education3697 Words   |  15 PagesThe cost of higher education is constantly rising and does not look to be stopping anytime soon. However, many individuals are concerned about the increasing cost and have little understanding as to why these costs are increasing despite the increasing revenue stream of many colleges and universities. Additionally, taking in consideration the current cost compared to the past 5 to 10 years is very important when addressing this issue. As the cost of a college degree increases it is becoming harderRead MoreRising Cost Of Higher Education1345 Words   |  6 PagesI have selected to write about the rising cost of higher education in the United States. In mass media we see discussions of how expensive it is for students to afford admission to a four-year college, student debt being higher than it ever has in previous years, and how these consequ ences make it difficult for graduating students to attain social mobility. As a student, it is within my best interest to discover the social factors that influence the cost of attaining a college degree. Many of my

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Briefing note performance management free essay sample

Two purposes of performance management and their relationship to business objectives: Performance management drives employee behaviour to align with business goals and objectives. This alignment happens because job responsibilities and expectations are clear, resulting in increased individual and group productivity; and also better information is available to use for promotion decisions. Having a Performance management system in place will serve the following purposes; †¢Employee decision-making Appraisal information is used as a basis for pay increases, promotions, transfers etc. †¢Employee development Appraisal information is used to guide training, job experiences, mentoring and other developmental activities. Three components of performance management systems: There are several components of a successful performance management system. An effective performance management system is not a one-size-fits-all approach but will generally include the following components: Plan: Setting clear objectives and goals and establish performance standards. Monitor: Identifying key performance indicators and conducting accurate and regular performance appraisals/ reviews and rewarding performance effectively. Review: Regular and honest feedback through performance planning conversations and career development initiatives. The Relationship between motivation and performance management On a basic level people are motivated towards desired outcome such as congratulations from the manager for a job well done or to avoid an undesired outcome such as an argument with the boss about targets not been hit. ?There are extrinsic and intrinsic factors to how we as individuals channel our motivational energy. ?Getting people to ‘opt in’ as oppose to ‘opt out’ is an important part of communication in business. The ideas of Abraham Maslow have had considerable influence on management thinking since the late 1940’s. Maslow has a positive view of human nature; a belief in the individual’s potential for personal growth – what he called self-actualisation which is displayed in his pyramid of Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow suggested that needs only motivate people when they are unsatisfied. When applied to his hierarchy lower-order needs (basic physical needs, comfort, safety and security) have to be satisfied before higher order needs (self-esteem and personal growth) assert themselves. To apply these theories into the workplace you should make sure your workforce is getting its basic physical and safety needs (reasonable working conditions, job security etc. ) Applying Maslow’s model will mean employees are more likely to work towards company goals only when there is harmony with their own personal goals. MaslowHerzberg Fred Herzberg’s two factor theory is based on looking at the main factors which result in either satisfying or dissatisfying experiences at work. The assumption is that if the individual is satisfied in their work, this will mean good performance, or, at the very least a willingness to stay on the job. Factors leading to dissatisfaction were found to do with conditions of work – company policy and administration, technical supervision, salary, interpersonal relations and physical working conditions. Herzberg called these the hygiene or maintenance factors. These are necessary minimum for a healthy workplace – they make people come into work and stay there but, they don’t necessarily encourage people to be productive. It is the other factors, the ‘satisfiers’ or ‘motivators’ such as achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, advancement, that encourage people to work harder. The link between motivation and performance seems to be an obvious one. If individuals are highly motivated, they will perform better. In turn better performance may well lead to a sense of achievement and result in greater motivation. Thus relationship between motivation and performance can be a mutually reinforcing one. Factors to be considered when managing different levels of performance: Many managers mistakenly spend most of their effort on trying to improve their low performing employees, believing that their high performers are low maintenance. The low maintenance belief is prolonged because high performing  employees are self-motivated individuals that need very little daily work direction. However the fact is that high performing employees do need a lot of attention to sustain their high level of performance. They need praise, recognition and collaboration. High performing employees are very skilled at working independently and will become frustrated if their manager give s them too much direction. These employees will seek guidance form their managers when they need assistance, they take ownership and pride, seek challenges and are bored quickly with mundane tasks; they need to feel valued by their manager and the company. As a manager you must make them feel like a business partner, not just an employee. Get them involved in goal setting, seek their advice from their area of expertise, give them exposure to higher management and other executives – all these things will show you value and trust them – in turn they will give you their loyalty. Plateaued Performers have the mind set of either not preparing or wanting to progress any further, they have petered out or are ready and willing to progress but are stuck in their current role due to other factors surrounding them. They are likely to be less enthusiastic, in a sales role they are likely to rely on existing relationships to drive sales, and they will appear to be ‘going through the motions’ with a sense of disengagement. Plateaued performers are experienced, valued employees who once, often recently performed at a higher level. However due to some unseen issue or closely held mind set, they are no longer reaching their potential. The likely outcome, if the problem goes untreated is that a once solid performer will find themselves plateaued stagnated in bit performance and professional development. Managing poor performance, whether related to capability or attendance, raises a number of different issues for employers and their HR professionals. Failure to perform or attend may be related to the following factors, which may or may not be connected and which may not be readily apparent such as lack of application or misconduct on behalf of the employee; lack of the required skills; and/or illness or disability. If poor performance is due to lack of application (unconnected to an underlying medical condition) or following the falsification of qualifications and  experience for the position that the employee holds or simply by a plain refusal to obey lawful orders, then it is appropriate to deal with the matter under normal disciplinary procedures for misconduct. However, the disciplinary procedure may not be appropriate when dealing with employees who are failing through no fault of their own. Where the failure to perform is due to a lack of the required skills, following say a reorganisation or where an employee has been prematurely promoted, then the employee should be assisted, wherever practicable, with further training or coaching and given a reasonable period to reach the required standard. Some employers therefore prefer to operate a gentler capability procedure referring to cautions rather than warnings and greater flexibility with regard to timescales The main purposes of reward within a performance management system are to retain, motivate key employees and to reduce turnover. It’s a known fact that people are the most important asset in the organisation. The Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement also believes that staff rewards have a valid purpose in this process. The groups Leadership and the Performance of People in Organisations: Enriching Employees and Connecting People study pointed out that many companies are using their performance management processes to encourage employees to work towards personal goals such as training and skills development. Claiming that such an approach can result in improved financial performance as well as being beneficial to the individual, the research said: Reward systems need to be adapted to reflect a leadership approach that ultimately satisfies peoples basic needs for achievement, a feeling of control over ones life and a sense of belonging.   Identify at least 3 components of a total reward scheme: The total reward system is a multitude of tools that the employer has in its hand and may be used to attract, motivate and retain employees. From the employee point of view the total rewards represent everything that he/she perceives to be of value resulting from the employment relationship. The reward conce pt covers both financial and non-financial pay. The components of a total reward system are: Compensation – is a critical component of the reward system that includes: basic pay system (annual or monthly salary rate) and variable or incentive pay systems (sales commissions, appraisal/performance-related pay, skills-base pay, etc. ) Benefits – are used to supplement the cash compensation that the employees receive and are designed to protect the employees and the family from financial risks. These can be life insurance, medical insurance, dental, retirement plan, savings scheme, uniform, gym membership, company car, breaks, company holidays, extra annual days, personal days, etc. Work life in this category is included the followings: workplace flexibility, paid and unpaid time off, health and well-being, caring for dependents, financial support, community involvement, and management involvement/culture change intervention. Performance and recognition Performance is a key component of the organisational objectives and involves the alignment of organisational, team and individual effort towards the achievement of business goals and organisational success. The recognition acknowledges and gives special attention to employee’s action, efforts, behaviour or performance. Recognition programs acknowledge the employee contribution immediately after the task has been completed. This type of recognition award can be financial or non-financial (e. g. , verbal recognition, certificates, trophies, tickets, dinners, etc. ) Development and career opportunity – includes learning opportunities (e. g. on the job learning, tuition, seminars and conferences attendance, corporate universities, self-development tools and techniques, new technology training, etc. );coaching/mentoring(e. g.  , leadership training, formal and informal mentoring programs, association memberships, exposure to resident experts, etc. ) and advancement opportunities (e. g. , internal job openings, promotions, overseas assignments, internships, succession planning, career pathways, etc. ) 2 sources of data required by individual involved in performance and reward management processes: Gathering performance information from a variety of sources increases objectivity and ensures all f actors impacting performance are considered. This information should include objective data like sales reports, call records or deadline reports. Other valuable information includes: feedback from others, results of personal observation, documentation of on-going dialogue, records of any external or environmental factors impacting performance many reviews also include an employee self-evaluation. Other documents that help define performance objectives include: past performance appraisals, current departmental and organisational objectives and documented standards related to career goals. In order to gather feedback from other employees, organisations will often use a 360 ° feedback process. Along with the completion of a self-assessment, selected peers, assistants, and managers are asked to contribute feedback around pre-identified areas. The feedback is based upon specifically identified skills or competencies and the final results are compared against the employees self-assessment this type of feedback increases self-awareness and in some cases is used to support the performance evaluation process

Sunday, December 1, 2019

White on Black Review Essay Example

White on Black Review Paper Essay on White on Black I do not want to write what is gigantic reviews and sing brovady. Let me just say that the book is made valid impressions going. But in this brief essay I would not want to lay it on the shelves and try to analyze how a general, I believe that each of these works is to take something for themselves. And thats what I podcherpnul for sebya.Galego not crying and trying to pull us to the heart, he says that life, such as it is. That he came into this world, so it is necessary. And he was pleased with his body, because as the choice he does not, then its a good body. but most importantly, I realized that all people can be divided into four categories: those who can, and change their own destiny; those who have no opportunity to change something, and just goes with the flow; those who have the ability but do not change anything and just drift, and those who have a one in a million Shas and sometimes is used it to 200% and Gallego is from the fourth group. But if you possess them as toupory adochev the strength of the inner world that this is the last group out on the first step, they actu heard by their fate. A real, crippled the world are drifting through life fragments of people who do not want to finger and move, even for themselves, but because they have everything to prosper. Of course ideas are many, but Ill leave the rest for himself, so as not to pollute the minds of those who will read this review. In late just want to cause arguments Gallego, who beheld one of the sites where he publishes his thoughts and brief article, so that the reader understand the authors line of thought. As I have read the thoughts of Ruben talking about human values, and as a metaphor selected is monetary value, and what he says: if we evaluate a person for physical data, then Im probably not a lot, I do not have the growth I have the length of my body but still the same as a stand, and yet I have a soul, and she, too, seems to me to be worth at least not much, but I am a person mean s, in November or when you do not understand what healthy people platat money prostitutes because if they pay money of kindness to them, then they deduct them from his personal value and soon nothing will stand, and if a person is not something you should not, whether he is a man? , of course, prostitution here as an example of, well, the train of thought I think is clear.