Memo regarding gun violence and illegal use of narcotics Assignment

Memo regarding gun violence and illegal use of narcotics - Assignment Example However, their use should be solely after a doctor’s or professional pharmacist’s prescription. Nevertheless, many people tend to ignore this fact and go ahead to abuse these substances. The most common manner through which the abuse takes place is by taking these drugs in high dosages and, thus, altering their reception by the human body system. By modifying the reception, the brain fails to co-ordinate and function normally, and this leads to the users engaging in acts of violence. As in this case, the acts of violence often involve the purchase of firearms in an effort to settle old scores. In the normal and sober condition of these people, they may have had a misunderstanding with someone. The misunderstanding might have been negligible, but after the intoxication of the brain, all these emotions get heightened, thus resulting in the purchase of these weapons to commit acts of revenge or associated self-gratification tactics (Decker and Alarid 37). The other relation between gun violence and the illegal use of narcotics is concerning the economic environment. Over the last couple of years, the economy has been unstable with inflation hitting the market often. This has made it difficult for people that live under the poverty line and at times, even middle-income earners to survive these conditions. This leads to the indulgence in additional activities such as the sale of firearms in an effort to obtain additional money for the fulfillment of personal needs. For the addicts, these personal needs may even involve the purchase of more drugs. Another connection found between the illegal use of narcotics and gun violence is the systematic link (Decker and Alarid 47). Common to all countries in the world, the use of narcotics is a crime. This, therefore, makes it rather impossible for any peaceful drug business to take part legally. As widely perceived, any illegal activity is usually associated with violence. The narcotics environment is rather concealed

Computer Aided Process Planning Essay Example for Free

Computer Aided Process Planning Essay Process Planning Products and their components are designed to perform certain specific functions. Every product has some design specifications which ensure its functionality aspects. The task of manufacturing is to produce components such that they meet design specifications. Process planning acts as a bridge between design and manufacturing by translating design specifications into manufacturing process details. It refers to a set of instructions that are used to make a component or a part so that the design specifications are met, therefore it is major determinant of manufacturing cost and profitability of products. Process planning answers the questions regarding required information and activities involved in transforming raw materials into a finished product. The process starts with the selection of raw material and ends with the completion of part. The development of process plans involves mainly a set of following activities; †¢Analysis of part requirements †¢Selection of raw workpiece †¢Selection of manufacturing operations and their sequences †¢Selection of machine tools †¢Selection of tools, tool holding devices, work holding devices and inspection equipments †¢Selection of manufacturing conditions i. e. cutting speed, feed and depth of cut. †¢Determination of manufacturing times (2) The manual experience-based planning method The manual experience-based process planning is most widely used. It is mainly based on a manufacturing engineers experience and knowledge of production facilities, equipment, their capabilities, processes, and tooling. The major problem with this approach is that it is time consuming and developed plans may not be consistent and optimum. The feasibility of developed process plan is dependant on many factors such as availability of machine tools, scheduling and machine allocation etc. Computer aided process planning is developed to overcome this problems to some extent.

Stability over Everything :: essays research papers

â€Å"Stabilità ¤t à ¼ber alles† The Transition of German and Hungarian Politics since 1989 There can be little doubt when studying the political transition within Germany and Hungary that since 1989 there has been a change in ideology since the collapse of the communist regime in Eastern Europe and the reunification of East and West Germany. Nevertheless it must be acknowledged that the truly astonishing events of 1989/90, â€Å"which even at the beginning of 1989 could not have been predicted, brought about the most exciting and far far-reaching changes in life and society in Germany† and Hungary since 1945. Through the various paradigms Globalization, Europeanisation and Democratisation, we are able to come to an understanding of the politics in transition and also highlight and explain several key aspects of the political, economic, social and cultural life in contemporary Germany and Hungary. The trend of ‘globalization’ is attracting more and more attention and with this is â€Å"transforming the historical approach that â€Å"state, society and economy are, as it were co-extensive within the same national boundaries. The international economic system, in which states draw the borderline between the domestic economy and foreign trade relations, is being metamorphosed into a transnational economy in the wake of the globalization of markets†. These trends are mirrored by the current emphasis of Germany to grow as a major leader within the European Union and Hungary in their approach for acceptance by the European Union as a member. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, we have seen Germany come forward as one of the forefront leaders in the European market. â€Å"From an economic perspective, globalization has brought incontestable welfare gains to Germany and Europe through an enhanced international division of labour† (e.g. trade and investment). â€Å"Yet globalization has also exposed and intensified weaknesses in growth, investment, and innovation in Europe and has led to exceedingly high unemployment rates†. For ten years now â€Å"the German economy, has been transferring DM 150 billion in net payments from the West to the East. This is not a symptom of the economy’s weakness, but rather a symptom of strength, and is maintained by the fact that few economies in the world could do this successfully, and none is required to do so†. Undoubtedly it puts an enormous strain on the German economy, but it is shouldering it well. Even though Germany has been transferring money to the East , it has still managed to register a â€Å"trade surplus of DM 100 billion annually†.

The Presentation of Women in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 and Griffin’s Ess

The Presentation of Women in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 and Griffin’s Sonnet 39 What attitude do their presentations of women reflect? Discuss in detail how the poets’ choice & use of language influences your reading of poems. It is evident in both Griffin’s poem and Shakespeare’s poem that their love for their beloved is matchless; however the presentations and the personal interpretations of the two poets give a totally different message to its readers. It is often in Shakespeare’s sonnet 130 that we realize he ridicules his mistress and praises her in a way that misleads its readers to believe that Shakespeare doesn’t love her. Whereas, in Griffin’s Sonnet 39, he puts his lady as the central motive of the poem and this is obvious as almost every line in his poem begins with the word â€Å"her.† Without a doubt, the first line in both poems portrays a direct contrast from each other. In Griffin’s poem, he compares his lady’s hair to â€Å"threads of beaten golds† (line 1), which suggests the high status and attractiveness of his lady. On the contrary, Shakespeare begins his sonnet by depreciating the status of his mistress as she is â€Å"nothing like the sun† (line 1). This is also seen in the latter lines of the sonnet; her lips are not as red as coral, her breasts are dun-colored and the black wires growing on her head. (lines 2-4). In Griffin’s sonnet, we can see how he praises the beauty of his lady and her perfection with the use of figurative languages. Although the two sonnets seems to be similar, both admiring the beauty of their lovers, it is still apparent that the two women in the two sonnets are presented in different ways and the fact that there is a contrast between the two of them. The poem, Son... ...the way how Griffin presents his lady may sound the world’s perfect woman. Nonetheless, because of his hyperbolical statements and exaggerations, it may sound perfect to its readers, but then again, the lady becomes an idealize character and her beauty is only artificial. Through a detail study within the two poems, it is obvious that the two women presented in both poems are not similar. The poets’ viewpoints differ as they have personal opinions with regards to the qualities possess by their mistress or lady, whether they’re goddess-like or genuine in nature. As readers, we’re greatly influenced by the words written by the poets; we are dependent on their language and words to reveal the implications and the underlying message. [1] James P. Wolf. Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry – G [Online] Available http://www.digiserve.com/heraldry/pimb_g.htm The Presentation of Women in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 and Griffin’s Ess The Presentation of Women in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 and Griffin’s Sonnet 39 What attitude do their presentations of women reflect? Discuss in detail how the poets’ choice & use of language influences your reading of poems. It is evident in both Griffin’s poem and Shakespeare’s poem that their love for their beloved is matchless; however the presentations and the personal interpretations of the two poets give a totally different message to its readers. It is often in Shakespeare’s sonnet 130 that we realize he ridicules his mistress and praises her in a way that misleads its readers to believe that Shakespeare doesn’t love her. Whereas, in Griffin’s Sonnet 39, he puts his lady as the central motive of the poem and this is obvious as almost every line in his poem begins with the word â€Å"her.† Without a doubt, the first line in both poems portrays a direct contrast from each other. In Griffin’s poem, he compares his lady’s hair to â€Å"threads of beaten golds† (line 1), which suggests the high status and attractiveness of his lady. On the contrary, Shakespeare begins his sonnet by depreciating the status of his mistress as she is â€Å"nothing like the sun† (line 1). This is also seen in the latter lines of the sonnet; her lips are not as red as coral, her breasts are dun-colored and the black wires growing on her head. (lines 2-4). In Griffin’s sonnet, we can see how he praises the beauty of his lady and her perfection with the use of figurative languages. Although the two sonnets seems to be similar, both admiring the beauty of their lovers, it is still apparent that the two women in the two sonnets are presented in different ways and the fact that there is a contrast between the two of them. The poem, Son... ...the way how Griffin presents his lady may sound the world’s perfect woman. Nonetheless, because of his hyperbolical statements and exaggerations, it may sound perfect to its readers, but then again, the lady becomes an idealize character and her beauty is only artificial. Through a detail study within the two poems, it is obvious that the two women presented in both poems are not similar. The poets’ viewpoints differ as they have personal opinions with regards to the qualities possess by their mistress or lady, whether they’re goddess-like or genuine in nature. As readers, we’re greatly influenced by the words written by the poets; we are dependent on their language and words to reveal the implications and the underlying message. [1] James P. Wolf. Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry – G [Online] Available http://www.digiserve.com/heraldry/pimb_g.htm

Counselors as Companions and Ethics in Human Services

The article from tragedy to triumph was very interesting to read. I believe that the counselor gained a lot of knowledge about himself and his counseling technique during the time that he had Steve as a client. I think the counselor was trying to come up with a solution to Steve’s problems and make his journey easier and less painful. I believe that the moral to the story is that sometimes people need to go through the tough times to discover new things about themselves and get to a comfortable place in life. By taking the longer, rougher road, Steve learned more about himself, his limitations and his strengths. This allowed for even bigger better possibilities in Steve’s life. The counselor can’t be responsible for Steve’s personal journey and guide him down the easier path. The counselor should only be along for the ride with Steve and allow Steve to experience the difficult moments. Steve had to come to the realization that he had to choose a different path and create different goals. I think that the counselor will now change the way he tries to â€Å"fix† a client’s problems, and instead allow him to experience and overcome some of the rougher more challenging things in their life. I believe that there are people that we come into contact with that teach us life lessons and change us and the way we think and do things. As we meet extraordinary people, we learn from them and in many instances strive to be like them, or maybe even not like them. Just like an infant, we are always seeing new things and meeting new people who influence us in many different ways. As a result of the relationship that Steve had with his counselor, he has learned that sometimes the goals we set for ourselves may be unattainable. However, just because a goal needs to be modified a little, it doesn’t make it any less spectacular and important. Steve has learned that life is unpredictable and as things change, the goals he sets might need to change too. The relationship was beneficial for both Steve and the counselor, because they both learned new things and grew as people and professionals. According to â€Å"National Organization of Human Services† (n. d. ), â€Å"Statement 36 Human service professionals foster self-awareness and personal growth in themselves. They recognize that when professionals are aware of their own values, attitudes, cultural background, and personal needs, the process of helping others is less likely to be negatively impacted by those factors. † Steve’s counselor started to realize that his own personal needs and thoughts were impacting the treatment process. This would be a reason to review the ethical standards and evaluate how to get back on track. It is important to follow ethical standards to protect the client’s rights, dignity, and also promote their welfare. A code of ethics also establishes a standard for all human service workers to follow. References Halstead, R.W. (2000). From Tragedy to Triumph; Counselor as Companion on the Hero’s Journey, Counseling & Values, 44(2), 100. National Organization of Human Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals#self

Scot-free

Scot-free Scot-free Scot-free By Maeve Maddox â€Å"To escape scot-free† means to elude merited consequences: [Construction] Site Deaths Soaring as Bosses Escape Scot Free No escape: independent directors won’t go scot free Now all the doctors at Mid Staffs escape scot-free over deaths. In the Middle Ages a scot was a tax or tribute paid by a feudal tenant to his lord. The word derives from a Scandanavian word meaning tribute. It came to stand for different kinds of payments levied for services. In Kent and Sussex, the scot was a tax for the maintenance of drainage systems and flood prevention. In some contexts the scot was simply the bill owed for drinks or entertainment. Explanations of the expression scot-free may be found on numerous web sites. Most of the sites I’ve browsed correctly trace the term to the word for a tax, but a few cling to a mistaken idea that the expression has something to do with the 1857 US Supreme Court ruling known as the â€Å"Dred Scott Decision.† For example, this confident explanation: Its spelt scott-free and refers to a famous US Supreme Court decision involving the black slave Dred Scott. Ironically Scott lost his suit, though you wouldnt know it from the well-known phrase. The misspelling scott occurs both as an error and as a play on the name of someone named Scott. For example: Lincoln’s Assassin Got Away Scott Free (misspelled headline at YouTube) American Idol recap: Getting off Scott-free (The reference is to a contestant named Scott MacIntyre.) The lingering association of scot-free with Dred Scott is probably owing to vague recollections of high school history: a man named Scott wanted to be free. To refresh your memory, here’s a recap of what the Dred Scott Decision was about: In 1846, Dred Scott, then 47 years old, sued the Missouri state government on behalf of his wife, two daughters, and himself; the suit contended that they were being illegally held in slavery. Scott was born into slavery in Alabama. When he was about 30, he was sold to an Army doctor in Missouri. During the following years, Scott married, fathered two daughters, and lived at different times in the free states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Scott’s lawsuit contended that residence in a free state conferred freedom. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court where, in 1857, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the majority opinion: the Scotts were property and property rights were protected by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Although Dred Scott lost his case, he did not die in slavery. His owner’s widow married an abolitionist who returned the family to Scott’s original owner. The former slave owner had since moved to Missouri and become an abolitionist; he freed Scott, his wife, and their two daughters. Dred Scott died of tuberculosis after enjoying only seventeen months of freedom. His wife Harriet survived him by eighteen years. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Synonyms for â€Å"Leader†Probable vs. PossibleContinue and "Continue on"

Biography of John Marshall, Supreme Court Chief Justice

Biography of John Marshall, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall served as the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835. During Marshalls 34 year tenure, the Supreme Court attained stature and established itself as a fully co-equal branch of the government. When Marshall was appointed by John Adams, the Supreme Court was widely viewed as a weak institution with little impact on government or society. However, the Marshall court became a check on the power of the executive and legislative branches. Many opinions written during Marshalls tenure established precedents which still continue to define the powers of the federal government to this day. Fast Facts: John Marshall Occupation: Supreme Court chief justice, secretary of state, and lawyerBorn: September 24, 1755 in Germantown, VirginiaDied: July 6, 1835 Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaEducation: College of William MarySpouses Name: Mary Willis Ambler Marshall (m. 1783–1831)Childrens Names: Humphrey, Thomas, MaryKey Accomplishment: Raised the stature of the U.S. Supreme Court, established the Supreme Court as a co-equal branch of government Early Life and Military Service John Marshall was born on the Virginia frontier on September 24, 1755. His family was related to some of the wealthiest members of the Virginia aristocracy, including Thomas Jefferson. However, because of several scandals in previous generations, Marshalls parents had inherited little and subsisted as hard-working farmers. Marshalls parents were somehow able to acquire a number of books. They instilled a love of learning in their son, and he compensated for a lack of formal education through extensive reading. When the colonies rebelled against the British, Marshall enlisted in a Virginia regiment. He rose to the title of officer and saw combat at battles including Brandywine and Monmouth. Marshall spent the bitter winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge. It was said that his sense of humor helped him and his friends cope with the great hardship. As the Revolutionary War neared its end, Marshall found himself sidelined, as most of the men in his regiment had deserted. He remained an officer, but he had no men to lead, so he spent time attending lectures on the law at the College of William and Mary- his only experience with formal education. Legal and Political Career In 1780, Marshall was admitted to the Virginia Bar and began a law practice. Two years later, in 1782, he entered politics, winning the election to the Virginia legislature. Marshall earned a reputation as a very good lawyer whose logical thinking made up for his lack of formal schooling. He attended the convention at which Virginians debated whether to ratify the Constitution. He argued forcefully for ratification. He took a particular interest in defending Article III, which deals with the powers of the judiciary, and embraced the concept of judicial review- foreshadowing of his later career on the Supreme Court. In the 1790s, as political parties began to form, Marshall became a leading Federalist in Virginia. He aligned himself with President George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, and was a proponent of a strong national government. Marshall avoided joining the federal government, preferring to stay in the Virginia legislature. This decision arose partly from the fact that his private law practice was doing very well. In 1797, he accepted an assignment from President Adams, who sent him to Europe as a diplomat during a time of tension with France. After returning to America, Marshall ran for Congress, and was elected in 1798. In early 1800, Adams, who had been impressed by Marshalls diplomatic work, appointed him secretary of state. Marshall was serving in that position when Adams lost the election of 1800, which was eventually decided in the House of Representatives. Appointment to the Supreme Court In the final days of John Adams presidency, a problem arose on the Supreme Court: the Chief Justice, Oliver Ellsworth, resigned due to failing health. Adams wanted to appoint a successor before leaving office, and his first choice, John Jay, turned down the job. Marshall delivered the letter that contained Jays rejection of the position to Adams. Adams was disappointed to read Jays letter turning him down, and asked Marshall who he should appoint. Marshall said he did not know. Adams replied, I believe I must nominate you. Though surprised, Marshall agreed to accept the position of chief justice. In an odd quirk, he did not resign from the post of secretary of state. Marshall was easily confirmed by the Senate, and for a brief period he was both chief justice and secretary of state, a situation that would be unthinkable in the modern era. As the post of chief justice was not considered a lofty position at the time, it was perhaps surprising that Marshall accepted the offer. It is possible that, as a committed Federalist, he believed serving on the nations highest court might be a check on the incoming administration of Thomas Jefferson. Landmark Cases Marshalls tenure leading the Supreme Court began on March 5, 1801. He sought to strengthen and unify the court, and at the outset he was able to convince his colleagues to stop the practice of issuing separate opinions. For his first decade on the court, Marshall tended to write the courts opinions himself. The Supreme Court also assumed its lofty position in the government by deciding cases which set important precedents. Some of the landmark cases of the Marshall era are: Marbury v. Madison, 1803 Perhaps the most discussed and influential legal case in American history, Marshalls written decision in Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review and was the first Supreme Court case to declare a law was unconstitutional. The decision written by Marshall would provide future courts with a sturdy defense of judicial power. Fletcher v. Peck, 1810 The decision, which involved a land dispute case in Georgia, established that a state court could strike down a state law as being inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution. McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819 The case arose from a dispute between the state of Maryland and the Bank of the United States. The Supreme Court, led by Marshall, held that the Constitution gave the federal government implied powers and that a state could not regulate the power of the federal government. Cohens v. Virginia, 1821 The case, which arose from a dispute between two brothers and the state of Virginia, established that the federal courts could review state court decisions. Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824 In case involving the regulation of steamboats in the waters around New York City, the Supreme Court held that the Constitutions commerce clause gave the federal government broad powers to regulate commerce. Legacy During the 34 years of Marshall’s tenure, the Supreme Court became a fully co-equal branch of the federal government. It was the Marshall court that first declared a law passed by Congress to be unconstitutional and set important limits on state powers. Without Marshalls guidance in the early decades of the 19th century, it is unlikely the Supreme Court could have grown into the powerful institution it has become. Marshall died on July 6, 1835. His death was marked with public displays of grieving, and in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell cracked while being rung in tribute to him. Sources Paul, Joel Richard. Without Precedent: Chief Justice John Marshall and His Times. New York, Riverhead Books, 2018.Marshall, John. Shaping of America, 1783-1815 Reference Library, edited by Lawrence W. Baker, et al., vol. 3: Biographies Volume 2, UXL, 2006, pp. 347-359. Gale Virtual Reference Library.Marshall, John. Gale Encyclopedia of American Law, edited by Donna Batten, 3rd ed., vol. 6, Gale, 2011, pp. 473-475. Gale Virtual Reference Library.John Marshall. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed., vol. 10, Gale, 2004, pp. 279-281. Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Biography of Christina, Unconventional Queen of Sweden

Biography of Christina, Unconventional Queen of Sweden Queen Christina of Sweden (December 18, 1626–April 19, 1689) reigned for nearly 22 years, from Nov. 6, 1632, to June 5, 1654. Shes remembered for her abdication and her conversion from Lutheranism to Roman Catholicism. She also was known for being an unusually well-educated woman for her time, a patron of the arts, and, according to rumors, a lesbian and an intersexual.  She was formally crowned in 1650. Fast Facts: Queen Christina of Sweden Known For: Independent-minded queen of SwedenAlso Known As:  Christina Vasa, Kristina Wasa, Maria Christina Alexandra, Count Dohna,  Minerva  of the North, Protectress of the Jews at RomeBorn: December 18, 1626 in Stockholm, SwedenParents: King Gustavus Adolphus Vasa, Maria EleonoraDied: April 19, 1689 in Rome, Italy Early Life Christina was born Dec. 18, 1626, to King Gustavus Adolphus Vasa of Sweden and Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg, now a state in Germany. She was her fathers only surviving legitimate child, and thus his only heir.  Her mother was a German princess, daughter of John Sigismund, elector of Brandenburg, and granddaughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia.  She married Gustavus Adolphus against the will of her brother George William, who had by that time succeeded to the office of elector of Brandenberg. Her childhood came during a long European cold spell called the Little Ice Age  and the Thirty Years War (1618–1648),  when Sweden sided with other Protestant nations against the Habsburg Empire, a Catholic power centered in Austria. Her fathers role in the Thirty Years War may have turned the tide from the Catholics to the Protestants. He was considered a master of military tactics and instituted political reforms, including expanding education and the rights of the peasantry. After his death in 1632, he was designated the Great (Magnus) by the Swedish Estates of the Realm. Her mother, disappointed to have had a girl, showed little affection for her. Her father was frequently away at war, and Maria Eleonoras mental state was made worse by those absences.  As a baby, Christina was subjected to several suspicious accidents. Christinas father ordered that she be educated as a boy. She became known for her education and for her patronage of learning and the arts. She was referred to as the Minerva of the North, referring to the Roman goddess of the arts, and the Swedish capital Stockholm became known as Athens of the North.   Queen When her father was killed in battle in 1632, the 6-year-old girl became Queen Christina. Her mother, who was described as being hysterical in her grief, was excluded from being part of the regency. Lord High Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna ruled Sweden as regent until Queen Christina was of age. Oxenstierna had been an adviser to Christinas father and continued in that role after Christina was crowned. Christinas mothers parental rights were terminated in 1636, though Maria Eleonora continued to attempt to visit Christina. The government tried to settle Maria Eleonora first in Denmark and then back in her home in Germany, but her homeland would not accept her until Christina secured an allowance for her support. Reigning Even during the regency, Christina followed her own mind. Against Oxenstiernas advice, she initiated the end of the Thirty Years War, culminating with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. She launched a Court of Learning by virtue of her patronage of art, theater, and music. Her efforts attracted French philosopher Rene Descartes, who came to Stockholm and stayed for two years. His plans to establish an academy in Stockholm collapsed when he suddenly became ill with pneumonia and died in 1650. Her coronation finally came in 1650 in a ceremony attended by her mother. Relationships Queen Christina appointed her cousin Carl Gustav (Karl Charles Gustavus) as her successor. Some historians believe that she was romantically linked to him earlier, but they never married. Instead, her relationship with lady-in-waiting Countess Ebbe Belle Sparre launched rumors of lesbianism. Surviving letters from Christina to the countess are easily described as love letters, though it is difficult to apply modern classifications such as lesbian to people in a time when such categorizations were not known. They shared a bed at times, but this practice did not necessarily imply a sexual relationship. The countess married and left the court before Christinas abdication, but they continued to exchange passionate letters. Abdication Difficulties with issues of taxation and governance and problematic relations with Poland plagued Christinas last years as queen, and in 1651 she first proposed that she abdicate. Her council convinced her to stay, but she had some sort of breakdown and spent much time confined to her rooms. She finally abdicated officially in 1654. Supposed reasons were that she didnt want to marry or that  she wanted to convert the state religion from Lutheranism to Roman Catholicism, but the real motive is still argued by historians. Her mother opposed her abdication, but Christina provided that her mothers allowance would be secure even without her daughter ruling Sweden. Rome Christina, now calling herself Maria Christina Alexandra, left Sweden a few days after her official abdication, traveling disguised as a man. When her mother died in 1655, Christina was living in Brussels. She made her way to Rome, where she lived in a palazzo filled with art and books that became a lively center of culture as a salon. She had converted to Roman Catholicism by the time she arrived in Rome. The former queen became a favorite of the Vatican in the religious battle for the hearts and minds of 17th century Europe. She was aligned with a free-thinking branch of Roman Catholicism. Christina also embroiled herself in political and religious intrigue, first between the French and Spanish factions in Rome. Failed Schemes In 1656, Christina launched an attempt to become queen of Naples. A member of Christinas household, the marquis of Monaldesco, betrayed plans of Christina and the French to the Spanish viceroy of Naples. Christina retaliated by having Monaldesco executed in her presence. For this act, she was for some time marginalized in Roman society, though she eventually became involved again in church politics. In another failed scheme, Christina attempted to have herself made queen of Poland. Her confidant and adviser, Cardinal Decio Azzolino, was rumored to be her lover, and in one scheme Christina attempted to win the papacy for Azzolino. Christina died on April 19, 1689, at age 62, having named Cardinal Azzolino as her sole heir. She was buried in St. Peters Basilica, an unusual honor for a woman. Legacy Queen Christinas abnormal interest (for her era) in pursuits normally reserved for males, occasional dressing in male attire, and persistent stories about her relationships have led to disagreements among historians as to the nature of her sexuality. In 1965, her body was exhumed for testing to see if she had signs of hermaphroditism or intersexuality. The results were inconclusive, though they indicated that her skeleton was typically female in structure. Her life spanned Renaissance Sweden to Baroque Rome and left a record of a woman who, through privilege and strength of character, challenged what it meant to be a woman in her era. She also left behind her thoughts in letters, maxims, an unfinished autobiography, and notes in the margins of her books. Sources Buckley, Veronica.  Christina, Queen of Sweden: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric. Harper Perennial, 2005.Mattern, Joanne.  Queen Christina of Sweden.  Capstone Press, 2009.Landy, Marcia and Villarejo, Amy.  Queen Christina.   British Film Institute,1995.Christina of Sweden.5 Facts About Queen Christina of Sweden.

The New Alternative Craft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The New Alternative Craft - Essay Example ‘Do it yourself’ principle makes creativity worthwhile because of the limitless in boundaries of creation. The uniqueness of each object surpasses boundaries of taste, color and in many times ethnic boundaries. Through this, there is a big opportunity to reach out to more people and sell more. However, critics have come out guns blazing by questioning the intention of the alternative creators and their intentions. This study will demystify the alternative art and design in the context of the chosen examples. There are several avenues which people who have embraced alternative craft use to get their wares to the markets. These include technologically driven aspects of marketing such as the internet, the mass media, and general exhibition stalls. Some of these websites include etsy.com, from where the paper refers the objects of discussion and others such as getcrafty.com that displays hundreds of alternative creative artistic objects. Additionally, there are other avenues like fairs, markets and display exhibitions. The following segments will look at each of these segments and looks at the dynamics which each of the objects operates. This is one of the contemporary craft objects that not only is unique but severely artistic. The woolen knit i-phone case by Natalya has a design of the modern cell-phone handlers but uses a unique material and make to pass a message (Etsy.com, 2013). The maker uses wool and soft wood that does not incorporate any form of joints but through creative enjoinment. Natalya uses this design to pass a statement about fashion, creativity and lifestyle through unique settings. This design is personalized and customized using readily available materials. The main intention of the maker is to use material and design with alternative measure from the usual ‘

Case Study on IT Doesn't Matter Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

On IT Doesn't Matter - Case Study Example One take is that while no longer strategic, IT investment and excellence remains something that is essential, as a kind of ticket to the game. Another take is that companies who are able to glean insights into how technology is to be used to further their own strategies have a leg up on others. The case makes the point for saturation of infrastructure, where like in railroads there was a rapid and massive building phase, followed by a capacity glut. Again the take here is with capacity overbuilt strategies must look beyond using IT as a source of advantage, but rather something that is a given, to excel at, but not to necessarily get ahead of the others, who are basically doing the same thing and enjoying the same benefits from IT. Moreover, the insight from the paper is that there is the risk that companies may continue to spend a considerable part of their funds on IT, not heeding the warning from other companies, who are not realizing returns commensurate with the level of IT inve stments. These constitute investment and operational, as well as broader risks. The lessons learned are in this area. The prescription from the article is that of greater focus on astuteness when it comes to investing in IT, focusing on such things as efficiency, and return on investments. What this means for strategy is that more care must be placed on those things that can add real value to the firm and differentiate it from others in the same field, and the warning is that IT is not the way to achieve this. It is necessary, but it will not get you very far in terms of building a sustainable source of competitive advantage. One insight from the article is that that we should look elsewhere. There are problems in terms of actually having to excel in IT as a prerequisite for succeeding, to get to the starting block, but having likewise to go beyond that and to consider

Human Resources Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Human Resources Management - Research Paper Example All these areas come under the hiring process of the organization. Hiring of the employees signifies placing the right person to the right place is regarded to be a science rather than an art. Most of the managers are involved in this process. This study focuses on the hiring process starting from job description, recruiting, interviewing, selecting, orienting, training, and maintaining employees, from a manager’s perspective. It also focuses on the disadvantages and advantages of each stage Hiring process Hiring process is regarded as the most important step under strategic planning of the organization. This is because of the fact that the new employee entering in the organization will either help the organization to grow or will lower the performance. Therefore, the mangers need to be strategic in hiring the employees who will assist the organization in growing and making it profitable (Luszez & Kleiner, 2000). A proper hiring process has benefits like saving money, increasi ng productivity, lowering supervisory problems and lowering personal turnover. Personal problems and conflicts reduce sharply, thereby, reducing the turnover of the new hires; all these lead to saving of considerable amount in downtime and hiring cost. The hiring process of an organization succeeds only when it places the people to the right job that ensures utilization of their skills, capabilities and abilities. Apart from this, it also create benefits from the societal point of view such as providing genuine and equal opportunities to the people and helping the economy to grow by reducing job dissatisfaction and increasing the productivity (Prien, Goodstein, Goodstein & Jr, 2009). Job description The job description is created after understanding the necessity for hiring employees for filling the vacant position and the reason or the goal behind the hiring. The job description consists of a written document that includes the responsibilities and the duties of the employees. The d etail and the length of job description vary depending on the level of responsibility that the job has. For instance the job description of a clerk can be less detailed as compared to the one of the plant manager or the sales manager. The details of a job description generally include job title, compensation range, qualification, and the person to whom the candidate will be reporting, short summary of the job and a list of major and minor duties. Advantages and Disadvantages Job description bears huge significance in the process of effective hiring as it allows both the applicant and the interviewer a point of mutual understanding based on which they can facilitate the discussion regarding the position. It also ensures consistency in the hiring process. The job description also helps in understanding the type of candidate the organization is looking for. From the job description the candidates can understand whether they are going for a management position or as a regular employee. In simple words it helps in portraying a clear picture about the position, department and company in which the candidate is going to join. It also helps in defining the salary or wage that the job should provide along with the bonuses that the employees should

Summarise 2 Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summarise 2 Theories - Essay Example Social Control Theory circulates around certain principles (Siegel, 2008). These principles are peoples relationships, values, commitments, norms, and values. These principles encourage people not to break the laws of the land. Major contributors and their contributions to the Social Control theory follow assertions by a couple of ideologists. Albert J. Reiss defined personal control as the ability of a person to cease from meeting needs in ways which clash with the rules and norms of the society. Social control, he stated, refers to the skill of social groups to create rules or norms that bring full success. The second main contributor was Jackson Toby. He quarreled that the casual adolescent is an entrant for group socialization. He recognized group socialization as a piece of social control that connects, motivates, and that leads to wrongdoing. He put out the idea of stakes in conformity to make clear the candidacy for studying such experiences (Siegel, 2008). This theory does not reflect on motivational issues. It argues that individuals may decide to engage in a variety of activities, unless the varieties are restricted to the processes of social learning and socialization. This is taken from the Hobbesian analysis of human nature that is stated in the Leviathan; that all options are controlled by implicit agreements, social contracts and understanding among citizens. Thus, ethics will be set in the building of social orders, consequences and assigning costs to assured choices and terming some of the choices as immoral, evil or unlawful (Siegel, 2008). Labeling theory closely relates to symbolic interaction and social construction analysis theory. Labeling theory maintains that disobedience is not inherent in wrong doers, but instead looks at the possibilities of majorities to negatively tag minorities or those seen as weak from normal cultural norms. The theory circulates around certain principles.

Change management final assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Change management final assignment - Essay Example Change has become imperative to manage the dilapidated financial system. It has become more urgent to necessitate change because of organizational changes happening at the facility. The administration model had changed from direct provider of services to managed care organization (MCO), requiring funding for patients. Under the new model, budget is decided by the state on the strength of patients attended by PBH. Technology can prove instrumental in bringing efficiency, as manually processed transactions are time and resource consuming. Currently, PBH is being managed on IBM AS/400 server. It lacks integration with the software that is being used. There is nothing like automation. The start up accounting functions need full IT back up. Data synchronization is not possible. All data has to be entered manually on billing and payment, created in the care management software and entered into HTE, the financial managing software on the AS/400 system. It takes a lot of more time of the employees, resulting in productivity loss and recurring chances of feeding wrong data. Accessing information from the HTE system is time-consuming, taking extra time in report generation. Lengthy reports are hard to customize and channelling the right information to the related staff is arduous. It is draining the limited IT resources at the command of PBH. Taking note of the problems being faced at work, the PBH team has finally selected Microsoft ® Gold Certified Partner InterDyn – Artis to implement Microsoft Business Solutions –Great Plains ® software, which is a part of Microsoft Dynamicsâ„ ¢ as its business management solution. Microsoft Dynamics is a provider of integrated, flexible business management solutions that an organization can rely on to make responsible business decisions with greater surety and guarantee of success. Microsoft Dynamics functions like known and trustworthy Microsoft software like Microsoft Office, which means less need to learn on the

Summarise 2 Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summarise 2 Theories - Essay Example Social Control Theory circulates around certain principles (Siegel, 2008). These principles are peoples relationships, values, commitments, norms, and values. These principles encourage people not to break the laws of the land. Major contributors and their contributions to the Social Control theory follow assertions by a couple of ideologists. Albert J. Reiss defined personal control as the ability of a person to cease from meeting needs in ways which clash with the rules and norms of the society. Social control, he stated, refers to the skill of social groups to create rules or norms that bring full success. The second main contributor was Jackson Toby. He quarreled that the casual adolescent is an entrant for group socialization. He recognized group socialization as a piece of social control that connects, motivates, and that leads to wrongdoing. He put out the idea of stakes in conformity to make clear the candidacy for studying such experiences (Siegel, 2008). This theory does not reflect on motivational issues. It argues that individuals may decide to engage in a variety of activities, unless the varieties are restricted to the processes of social learning and socialization. This is taken from the Hobbesian analysis of human nature that is stated in the Leviathan; that all options are controlled by implicit agreements, social contracts and understanding among citizens. Thus, ethics will be set in the building of social orders, consequences and assigning costs to assured choices and terming some of the choices as immoral, evil or unlawful (Siegel, 2008). Labeling theory closely relates to symbolic interaction and social construction analysis theory. Labeling theory maintains that disobedience is not inherent in wrong doers, but instead looks at the possibilities of majorities to negatively tag minorities or those seen as weak from normal cultural norms. The theory circulates around certain principles.

Toward a Moral Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Toward a Moral Economy - Essay Example Just for the sake of their rights, some of the people who were in favor of the justice and equality for all raised their voices and thus the concept of moral economy were developed. There are different characteristics or the attributes, which can make any economy a moral and justified economy. The researchers are of the opinion that any economy can be perfect and moral just because of the implications and the practices in that particular duration. There are three main types of economies based on the practices and the implications, i.e. Socialism, capitalism and the communism. Usually if we look over all the concepts and the attitudes of a socialist economy then we can say that socialism is the best moral economy. If we look at the historical perspectives of the establishment of a moral economy, the different sociologists have worked a lot on this discussion. The one common point of all the researchers is the basic foundation of a moral economy. According to their point of view, the economic activities influenced by the sentiments, values, norms, and other just thought patterns might contribute to make a moral economy. The contributions of different authors are discussed here in detail; Adam Smith: Adam Smith wrote two books containing great and inspirational concepts about the establishment of a moral economy. One book ‘Wealth of the Nations’ is directly related to the ethical standards of an economy whereas the other book ‘The Moral System’ gives a general frame work for the foundation of an economic system. In both of his writings, Smith has tried to formulate general rules of justice and laws that should be implemented in an economic system. Adam Smith has even tried to pin point the process that can motivate the people to adopt ethical and moral laws so that they can work their best for the establishment of a moral economy at least on individual basis. Another high point of Smith writings is the formulation of two

Implementing ERP Solution Projects in SMBs Essay Example for Free

Implementing ERP Solution Projects in SMBs Essay Managing and developing intellectual capital in many of today’s organizations is becoming the greatest asset. Different firms of different sizes operating in different sectors are seeking a way of performing this task effectively and efficiently. Among the different tools under considerations, many consider Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software packages essential tools to effectively manage, retain and share knowledge among stakeholders at all echelons. ERP implementation causes changes to the receiving organization given its comprehensiveness and integrity. As a result challenges which results into additional risks and realization of new opportunities arise and proper action must be taken to avert or reinforce the challenge for better results. ERP solution system is as an opportunity for business entities whether small or large to use software applications that are specifically designed to upgrade the various business functions and attain the best business practices (Markus and Tanis, 2000, Marnewick and Labuschagne, 2005). Effective implementation of ERP software applications ensures that the major functional parts of a business enterprise are linked together in a common amalgamated software system (Sandoe et al, 2001, Rao 2000). This process makes it possible for the business activities to be instigated more efficiently and cooperation among the workers becomes more effective through the interactive information system. The process of implementing ERP in Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) is beset with extra challenges and opportunities due to their specialty. The SMBs have limited financial and human resources, limited experience in project management and sometimes limited managerial competencies which determines the agility of their operations. Problem Statement Implementing ERP, projects require specialized application because they affect the receiving organization to different degrees. In implementing an ERP, solution divisions and departments within an organization have to be integrated into a single business platform, which affects the business model and the organization culture (Markus and Tanis, 2000). This makes the project risky and intricate. Due to global business factors, economic expansion and IT revolution ERP solutions are becoming a requirement for business success. SMBs being key players in the economic activity are not left out in this competition. However, the process and success stories of ERP solutions in SMBs is lacking as past studies mainly focused on the large scale enterprises ERP solution process and application. In addition, the present trend of ERP solution project implementation by SMBs in the diverse business sectors and industries calls for the exploration of the opportunities and challenges of Implementing ERP Solution Projects in SMBs to pave way for the identification of ways of avoiding or minimizing losses in the implementation process (Soh et al, 2000). SMBs organization structures and organizational cultures are not all well defined. This coupled with the rigidity of the organization structure and culture present serious challenges to the implementation of ERP projects in SMBs. Additionally ERP projects are more successful in easy to change and agile organizations. However, unlike in large companies, the senior management team of the SMBs is normally part of the daily business operations and lacks in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to have organized long-term plans for the business and even the adoption of ERP solution projects. Similarly low capital base and lack of properly trained personnel have remained a major setback in the running of the functions of SMBs. This problem is compounded by lack of sufficient funds to sustain training and engage quality consultants in such trainings. According to Sandoe et al (2001) many SMBs lack dedicated IT staff able to perform the risk management function exposing major business operations to unnecessary risks. Likewise, within internal functions of a SMB, organizational changes that would give room for adoption of technology are limited due to lack of unused resources. The impact of unsuccessful implementation of ERP solution to a SMB are said to be greater to the entire operations of the business enterprise while the success of wisely implemented ERP system will have a whole organizational positive impact (Rao 2000).

Project Estimation Techniques in Software Engineering

Project Estimation Techniques in Software Engineering The four major parameters that control the software projects are time, requirements, resources people, infrastructure/materials and money, and risks. This is one of the reasons why making good estimates of these variables like time and resources required for a project is very critical. But if the estimation is lower than the project needs it will affect the progress of the project due to the lack of enough time, money, infrastructure/materials, or people. At the same time even if the estimation is over estimated then the company will have to face losses due to the extra expenses or even if the project is sanctioned other projects dont go on since there is less to go around. For any successful project management, estimation is a vital part of project methodology. Estimation has numerous applications like justification of project which has to be applied in the initial stages of the project where in we need to anticipate the benefits which is compared with the costs incurred as well as to decipher comparisons and conclusions that has to be made with technical and functional teams involved in the project. Also, estimation plays a vital role in project management to implement the disciplines required. Estimates help in sharing the resources required to complete the project deliverables successfully. Estimation process: Definition: Project estimation is a process of forecasting or approximating the project parameters like cost, time, effort etc., for a successful completion of the project deliverables [4]. Overview of the Estimation Process: The first point to be remembered about estimation is that it does not finish until the completion of project and is a process of a slow and gradual refinement. For many software projects a project manager can assist the team to create successful estimates by using sound techniques and understanding about what makes estimate more accurate. Staff required for a project estimation are taken from a pool of people who has some prior knowledge of the domain in which the new project is being developed. When we want to start a project we need to know basic parameters required in advance like how long it will take, how many people it will require, how much effort it will require. In such cases it is hard to estimate because in many cases projects overrun or project would go over budget. Always a good estimation practices keep the project on track. In many cases, project estimation can be classified into three categories, Expert opinion: Opinion from Qualified experts from within the organization or service partners is taken into account for estimation. Analogy: A database where tasks previously completed are stored is taken into account. The new project would be decomposed into components/tasks, and compared with the corresponding tasks in the database. Ratios: Whole project will be decomposed into Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and estimating each component individually to produce an overall estimate. When to estimate: A rough estimate is needed at the initial stage of the project or probably even before the actual project starts. This is because, the final negotiations should be made with the customer, which needs the rough estimate of the cost, time and quality of the project. Also, Estimation is a process of gradual refinement [2]. It should be performed in parallel with the project development, in several phases. Each estimate will be refined to give a converged estimate towards the end of the project. Estimation should be carried out until the completion of project deliverables. There are basically two approaches for estimating project parameters [4]. They are: Top-down estimation approach Bottom-up estimation approach Top-down estimation approach: Top-down estimation approach is usually used at the initial stages of the project. This estimation is usually carried out by the top managers who have little knowledge of the processes involved in the completion of the project. The input to this estimation is either information or the experience of the manager carrying out the estimation. These top-down estimation methods are often used to evaluate the project proposal. In most cases, the best results can be achieved in estimation only when one used both top-down and bottom-up estimation methods. However, it is practically not possible to carry out bottom-up methods until the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) are clearly defined. In such cases, top-down estimates are used until the WBS becomes available. There are many methods in top-down approach listed below [4]: Consensus methods: This estimation method uses experience of a group of people to estimate the project parameters. This method involves project meetings, a place where these people can discuss, argue and finally come to a conclusion from their best guess estimate. The Delphi method comes under this category. Ratio methods: These estimation methods use ratios to estimate project times and costs. For example, in a construction work, the total cost of the project can be estimated by knowing the number of square feet. Likewise, a software project is estimated by its complexity and its features. Approximation methods: This estimation method is very useful when the project to be estimated is closely related to any of the previous projects in terms of its features and costs. By using the historical data of the estimates, good estimates can be approximated with very little effort. Function point methods: Many software projects are usually estimated using weighted macro variables called function points. Function points can be number of inputs, number of outputs, number of inquiries, number of data files, and number of interfaces. These function points are weighted again with a complexity level and summed up to get the total cost or duration estimates of the project. Bottom-up estimation approach: Top-down estimation approach can usually be put in practice once the project is defined or once there is some progress in the project. This means, this estimation is more into work package level, which are responsible for low-cost estimates and efficient methods. It is often recommended that this estimation is usually carried out by people most knowledgeable about the estimate needed. The cost, time, resource estimates from the work packages can be checked with the associated accounts to major deliverables. Also, these estimates in later stages can be consolidated into phased networks, resource schedules, and budgets that used for control. Additionally, customer will get an opportunity to compare the low-cost, efficient method with any imposed restrictions, using bottom-up approach [4]. There are many methods in top-down approach listed below [4]: Template methods: If the project to be estimated is similar to any of the past projects, then estimates of the past projects can be used as starting point estimates for the new project. This is similar to approximation estimation in top-down approach. Parametric procedures: These parametric procedures are same like ratio methods in top-down approach. However, here the parametric procedures are applied on specific tasks. Detailed estimates for WBS work packages: This is usually most reliable method of all estimation methods. The reason for this is that here the estimates are performed by people responsible for the work packages in Work Breakdown Structure. These people have prior knowledge or experience upon the tasks they perform specified in WBS, because of which the estimates are usually most reliable. In addition to the top-down and bottom-up approaches, there is another kind of estimating which is a hybrid of the above two approaches. This is called as Phase Estimating. When there is unusual amount of uncertainty is surrounded by the project, people go for phase estimating. In this approach, two-estimate system is used over the life-cycle of the project. The whole project is initially divided into phases. Then a detailed estimate is developed for the immediate phase, and a macro-estimate is mode for the remaining phases of the project. Difficulties in Estimation: There are two major cases where Estimation problems almost always boil down to estimates that are either too high or too low. Padded estimates, where the team members intentionally over estimates in order to give themselves extra time to work, are a chronic source of estimates that are too high. In such case, the project will take at least as long as it had been estimated even though it was originally overestimated. According to Parkinsons Law, Work expands to fill available time[1]. Other case arises when senior managers give unrealistic deadlines that are a chronic source of estimates that are too low. In such cases, the staff in the project development can burnout and produce low quality components. Also the credibility will be lost because, the deadlines would be missed. Both the cases can lead to morale problems. Estimation Tools: Software tools are very important for estimation. Estimation tools are the software packages implemented using any of the estimation methods as its algorithm, to make project managers life easy. These estimation tools help from skipping important tasks in a method. These tools are useful to organise, update and store the results of the estimates. Also, Estimation Tools are useful to [2]: Estimate project size using Function Points or other metrics. Derive effort and schedule from the project estimates using various algorithms and techniques. Perform analysis with staffing, duration etc. and appreciate how realistic they are. Produce and update results like Gantt charts and other tables easily. Maintain and exploit a database of historic data. Import data from other projects run in organisations with which you have no connection. However, one should very carefully select the estimation tools for a particular project. Principle: Required functional capabilities of estimation tools should match the needs and desired capabilities specific to the project. In selecting an estimation tool, one should match the available tools with the overall requirements of the project. In general, estimation tools should: Be very adaptive to any projects development environment, so that one can customize the tool according to the project needs. Be comparatively easy to understand, learn and use. Be able to produce some early project estimates without waiting for the whole project to be completely defined designed. Be able to provide estimates for different phases and activities in the project, if it is classified so. Understand and support wide range of languages and applications, as it is really important for a tool to provide estimates specific to the applications. Be able to provide accurate schedule estimates, whose purpose is not only to predict task completion given task sequence and available resources, but also to establish starting and ending dates for the associated work packages and life-cycle phases. Be able to provide maintenance estimates separately, which includes correcting errors, modifying the software to accommodate changes in requirements, and extending and enhancing software performance. Evaluation of the estimation tools: There are many tools in the market for project estimation. However, I am investigating a few and very efficient tools in the current market. PROBE: The name PROBE is derived from Proxy Based Estimating, introduced by Watts Humphrey (of the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University) [1]. Principle: If a component being built is similar to one built previously, then the effort it takes would be about the same as it did in the past. It mainly helps individual software engineers monitor, test, and improve their own work. Each component in the database is assigned a type (calculation, data, logic, etc.) and a size (from very small to very large). Also, a database is used to store history of size and effort details of these individual components. Later on, when a new project must be estimated, it is broken down into tasks that correspond to these types and sizes. A formula based on linear regression is used to calculate the estimate for each task [1]. COCOMO: The COCOMO is the most used estimation tool in the market for cost and schedule estimating. The COCOMO is derived from Constructive Cost Model, developed by Barry Boehm in the early 1980s [1]. Principle: The model developed empirically by running a study of many software development projects and statistically analyzing their results. There by developing a database of the analysed details. Boehm developed COCOMO empirically by running a study of 63 software development projects and statistically analyzing their results. COCOMO II was developed in the 1990s as an updated version for modern development life cycles, and it is based on a broader set of data [1]. The COCOMO calculation incorporates 15 cost drivers, variables that must be provided as input for a model that is based on the results of those studied projects. These variables cover software, computer, personnel, and project attributes. The output of the model is a set of size and effort estimates that can be developed into a project schedule [1]. The Planning Game: The Planning Game is the software project planning method from Extreme Programming (XP), a lightweight development methodology developed by Kent Beck in the 1990s at Chrysler [1]. It is a method used to manage the negotiation between the engineering team (Development) and the stakeholders (Business). It gains some emotional distance from the planning process by treating it as a game, where the playing pieces are user stories written on index cards and the goal is to assign value to stories and put them into production over time [1]. Unlike PROBE, COCOMO and Delphi, the Planning Game does not require a documented description of the scope of the project to be estimated [1]. Rather, it is a full planning process that combines estimation with identifying the scope of the project and the tasks required to complete the software. Like much of XP, the planning process is highly iterative. The scope is established by having Development and Business work together to interactively write the stories. Then, each story is given an estimate of 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Stories that are larger than that are split up into multiple iterations. Business is given an opportunity to steer the project between iterations. The estimates themselves are created by the programmers, based on the stories that are created. Finally, commitments are agreed upon. This is repeated until the next iteration of the project is planned. Critical analysis: In order to have the best estimates of a project, it is better to make some rough top-down estimates initially, develop the WBS, using which make bottom-up estimates, and develop schedules and estimates and finally, reconcile the differences between top-down and bottom-up approaches. Also for ideal results, the project manager should allow some time to carry out top-down and bottom-up estimates, there by reliable estimates can be offered to the customer. This will in turn reduce the false expectations for stakeholders. If we compare estimation approaches, there are some uses to use some approaches depending on the context of the estimation. Top-down approaches are preferable over bottom-up approaches in case of highly uncertain projects, whose scope is also unstable. Also, in case of internal and small projects, it is not worth spending lots of time and effort to go for bottom-top estimates. Therefore, in such cases, top-down approaches are preferable. Also, at the initial stages of the project when the decisions and negotiations should be made with the customer, top down is mandatory, due to lack of WBS to that particular project. However, in case of cost and time estimates are really important and plays vital role in the project development, one should go for bottom-up estimates. In case of fixed-price contracts and when the customer demands for exact details of the project development, one should go for bottom-up estimation methods, due to its highly reliable results. Also, Phase estimation approach is much useful in the projects, whose final nature (shape, size, features) is highly uncertain. However, both these methods largely depend on experts opinions. In case if the experts knowledge in a particular domain is insufficient to estimate, one should go for analytical estimation technique which is used in estimation tools like PROBE. In case of estimation tools, PROBE is useful to the early engineers who are in their learning stage. They can perform wide range of experiments and gain knowledge of the previous projects, thereby gaining the real-time experience in Estimation. However, COCOMO series of tools are more of professional kind because of its complex and wide range of applications. COCOMO is useful in many decision making situations including, all kinds of estimates, like cost, time, effort, maintenance. Also, using these estimates COCOMO can produce budgets and schedules. Conclusion: Project estimation plays a vital role in the planning of any project. Estimation of project cost, time, effort and quality act like input for project scheduling and budgeting. Therefore, the domain of the project to be developed should be initially studied carefully to make a decision in selecting the right methods and tools for a good project estimation. In this document, an investigation report on project estimation is explained in detail. Also, all types of estimation methods and estimation tools are critically evaluated and analysed. Therefore, this document could be helpful in the selection of good estimation methods and tools for successful project estimation, in order to make a good project planning for a successful project management.

Essay --

I am going into event planning, in the sector of the hospitality industry. Event planning industry is on the rise and is not glued to one specific genre, hence, there are several to choose from. Event planning is needed for all sorts of occasions such as, birthday parties, weddings, fundraisers, product launches, concerts, anniversaries, fashion shows, conferences, graduations, business meetings, and much more! It is an industry that will never stop growing and improving. Specifically, an event planner job includes working with clients, creating a positive self-image, networking with clients, and personal and financial gain. The job of an event planner is much more than hanging up streamers, laying table clothes down and checking the quality of the lights. Event planning requires tedious work and strenuous planning. Also called meeting and convention planners, they do everything involved with making sure these events go as anticipated. This includes, working with the client to choose a fabulous and affordable location, hiring quality caterers, selecting perfect entertainment, and even arranging lodging and transportation for attendees who are visiting from afar (McKay). The goal of an event planner is to make sure the event runs very much as anticipated, which includes multiple plans to combat what-if scenario, because no event will ever run exactly as planned. Event planning is a very personally rewarding career. Not only is it personally rewarding, but it also offers benefits such as gaining public recognition, and financial rewards. Besides that, event planning offers the individual flexibility, and independence (being able to start your own event planning business). Even though this job seems ideally easy and person... ...one’s business, but should also be included with the basic necessities like business cards and portfolios. From business conferences to weddings, there are events going on all around us, and where there are events there are event planners constructing it, putting it all together, while making everything run effectively. Event planning is always unpredictable and you need to be always ready for any problematic situation that may occur. When starting out there is a great chance that problems will occur that one will not prepared to face, but this is all a part of the improvement process. These situations should be looked at as a learning experience and should give you some ideas of how to improve one’s event planning skills and one’s own business. Because of all the hospitality, craziness, and personal gratification, I have chosen to become an event planner.

Analyzing Managerial Decisions: Eastman Kodak

With the slogan â€Å"you press the button, we will do the rest†, George Eastman (a high school dropout) put the very first simple camera into the hands of a world of consumers in 1888 (â€Å"History of Kodak,† n. d. , para. 1). For many years, Eastman Kodak was virtually the only film manufacturer around so they had a monopoly in film production. Kodak was able to control the timing for introducing new products into the market and was able to make changes due to customer demand. Until the early 1980’s, Kodak owned the film production market with very little competition.This suddenly changed when Fuji Corporation and many other generic store brands began producing high quality film as well (Brickley, Smith, & Zimmerman, 2009, p. 358). Technological advances, robotics, new design capabilities and better communications made it possible for the other companies to bring new products to the market in much less time. It was now months instead of years (Brickley et al. , 2009, p. 358). Film and related products became more readily available, resulting in a more competitive film production industry. Kodak’s monopoly was gone.This caused Eastman Kodak to make changes to its organization architecture in 1984; the design of the current organization architecture no longer fit the business environment for the film industry. One of the largest factors to motivate Eastman Kodak to make these changes, were increased competition and decreased market share. The stock price of Eastman Kodak went from $85 a share in 1982 to just over $71 in 1984. This is a drop of 16% in their stock price (Brickley et al. , 2009, p. 358). When compared to the increases in stock for the other companies in this market as a whole, the decrease was disturbing.Kodak made some rapid and unbalanced changes to its architecture, in order that they might regain some of the market share it lost. While making changes to one section of the company, they did not coordinate the change s to the other sections. In 1984, Kodak decentralized the organization by restructuring and changing its decision making process. â€Å"The restructure created 17 new business units†. These new business units had profit–and-loss responsibilities, and the corresponding managers were given the responsibility to decide on new products, pricing and other important policies (Brickley et al., 2009, p. 359). Unfortunately the result of this major organizational architecture, had a very small impact on the companies plan to regain its market share and profits. In reaction to the lack of impact, Eastman Kodak implemented the Management Annual Performance Plan (MAPP). This was to be the new performance-evaluation and reward system. There are many types of Management Annual Performance Plans ( The government Performance Results Act of 1993 requires each state agency to develop and publish an Annual Performance Plan (â€Å"Annual Plans,† 2003, para. 14)).The company felt by changing the methods of rewarding individual and business units, it would help them to be more innovative and more responsive to the customers’ needs and demands (Brickley et al. , 2009, p. 359). And again, this change was a mistake and unfortunately it did not have the affect Kodak thought that it would. The new Performance Evaluation System did not motivate the employees. When changing organizational architecture, it is extremely important to remember that the three legs of the stool (or the three components) of organizational architecture are interdependent and need to be coordinated (Brickley et al., 2009, p. 350-1).Kodak should have designed it with the three following characteristics in mind: 1) assignment of decision rights, 2) methods of rewarding individuals, and 3) structure of systems to evaluate the performance of both individuals and business units (Brickley et al. , 2009, p. 341). This left Kodak’s â€Å"three legged stool† unbalanced. In short, t he company did not implement a rewards method and performance evaluation system at the same time it began changing the assignment of decision rights. When one component is changed, the other components should be changed too.Kodak could have improved the effectiveness of the change in organizational architecture by holding employees accountable while also implementing a decentralized decision making approach. Kodak was set in its ways for a long time and when Fuji and the other companies came along with the advanced technologies; it did not know how to make these changes in the most effective and efficient way possible. Finally, I believe they should have fired the CEO earlier, he was definitely not thinking along the same lines with the market performance and changing industry.When he discovered the three legged stool was not balanced it was too late. By firing the CEO this may have provided the â€Å"shake up† that management needed to get the company going in the right dire ction. â€Å"An interesting view in economics asserts that the foundations for behavioral assumptions such as profit or utility maximization at an individual level or behavior in accordance with Nash equilibrium at the strategic level should be found in evolutionary selection against those who do not behave as assumed. This view, could be called economic Darwinism† (Sloth & Whitta-Jacobsen, 2005, para. 2).This example perfectly illustrates the concept of economic Darwinism, especially from the perspective of â€Å"survival of the fittest† (Brickley et al. , 2009, p. 8). Kodak failed to stay competitive with Fuji by failing to adapt to the changing industry of film production, also by not effectively changing their organizational architecture. Due to this, Kodak lost significant profits and the market share. Although Kodak survived, it definitely was not the â€Å"fittest† in the film industry in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. In 1993, the CEO of many years was fired, further exemplifying economic Darwinism at Kodak.

Message to Garcia Essay

A Message to Garcia is serves as an inspiration for many reasons. Not only is it a prime example of the â€Å"no questions asked† attitude, it also makes you question yourself as a leader. Many will say that this essay is about the subordinate, but to me it envelopes the relationship of the team as a whole to accomplish the mission. Though there are many different leadership styles and principles but in my opinion the most prominent in this essay are communication, trust, and obedience. The main task in the essay is to get a message delivered to Garcia from President Mckinley. This takes place during the war where quick communication is imperative. However, traditional means, such as mail or telegraph, have gone out the window due to Garcia’s whereabouts being somewhere in the jungles of Cuba. Upon hearing the mission at hand, Rowan was the man for the job. President Mckinley sent for him, gave him the letter, and gave him clear instructions of what needed to be done. With that, Rowan was gone. This is a great example of clear and concise communication. Rowan understood the importance of the mission and set out to do it. Another key element in the essay is trust. As a leader you have to have trust and confidence in your training, resources, and most importantly your subordinates. How did the president know Rowan was even competent enough to complete the task? The fact is, he didn’t, he trusted the unnamed individual who gave up Rowan for the mission. This person’s trust in Rowan’s abilities was enough for the president. It’s obvious that Rowan has proven himself to be trustworthy and efficient. It also goes to show Rowan’s trust in his leader’s authority. Lastly, it comes down to obedience. Rowan’s instant willing obedience is what sets him apart from all others. Not once did he question the contents of the letter or even simply inquire as to where Garcia was even located. That in itself, is a remarkable trait to have in one’s character. Not many would act without hesitation and would lose focus on such a task. That is one of the reasons obedience plays a vital role mission accomplishment. In the end the message is never revealed, nor exactly how Rowan delivered the message. Simply put, those facts are irrelevant. My takeaway from the essay is the leadership and action put through a unit to complete the task at hand. As a leader, you need to be able to communicate with your subordinates and trust them to carry out the order. Just as Rowan was trusted to carry the message to Garcia.

Motivational theories within the workplace Essay

Motivation is ‘a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way’. Motivation can be defined as a process that helps achieve goals through behaviour that guides and maintains behaviour in order to achieve a positive end result. Motivation leads to actions, such as researching a topic, educate yourself to further your knowledge or working to earn money. Abraham Maslow believed that humans had motivation and drive dependant on their needs. The main need being physiological which is followed by other needs of less importance such as safety, love, esteem and self actualisation. This was then placed into a hierarchy of needs represented into a pyramid (See appendix 1). Maslow believed that the first need had to be met in order to achieve to move forward to the second. Alongside Maslow’s theory of motivation, Herzberg has a two factor content theory of motivation which is also a main theory. From Herzberg’s research he suggested a two-step approach to understanding employee motivation and satisfaction. Herzberg’s two factor theory distinguishes between the motivators and hygiene factors. Hygiene factors are needed for employees to feel comfortable at work if these are not met and are adequate, this can cause dissatisfaction for employees. Hygiene factors include feelings of job security, working conditions, wages and company policy. Overall hygiene factors are needed to ensure employee is not dissatisfied. Motivator factors are needed to create job satisfaction once motivational factors are met this can see employees are performing above what is expected of them. Motivator factors include a sense of personal achievement, opportunity for promotion, responsibility and gaining recognition. Motivator factors are needed to motivate employees to perform at higher level. (Appendix 2†¦) An Advantage of Maslow’s theory is the order that is needed to identify the needs of the employees, ranging from basic to higher needs. Another advantage of Maslow’s theory is that it can be applied to various ways of understanding employee behaviour and deciding rewards at different levels from a management view. Disadvantage of Maslow’s model is that one stage  needs to be met before progress onto another stage can be achieved. Another disadvantage is that Maslow theory may be restricted to western cultures it does not take into account different cultures and the need of those cultures. An Advantage of Herzberg’s theory is identification of factors which will motivate and demotivate employees, factors which can be controlled by management. Herzberg’s model can also be used to identify issues that need to be addressed by management for example; hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace. A Disadvantage of Herzberg’s model is; the model can be seen as a generalisation which may not be applicable to all employees and workforces. Some employees get paid by the hour, therefore may not be interested in motivator factors, rather completing many hours of work which will result in a larger paycheque. Both theorists based their argument on human internal feelings needing to be satisfied, before work of a higher standard can be expected. Both theories suggest similar criteria that motivate employees. Similarities also extend to one stage must be completed before advancing onto the next. Both theories are also influenced by factors such as environmental conditions and employee attitudes. Although both theories have similarities there are also differences, Maslow’s theory has a hierarchy and Herzberg does not have a hierarchy. The main goal of Maslow’s theory is for needs to be met in order for an individual to develop a healthy way of life. Herzberg’s ultimate goal is for motivation to be the attitude of the employee, whilst not focusing on the quality of life for the employee. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is relevant to Google. Google focuses on the psychological, friendship and esteem needs of Maslow’s theory. Google believes in providing awards for its employees. Google recognises that employees are not alone motivated by pay bonuses. Google provides dining facilities, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, car washes and dry cleaning services within their workplace for their employees. Google recognises that if employees can get errands done on their work breaks that they will feel much walk accomplished and this will show in their work. Hertzberg’s theory is relevant to Apple. Apple implements aspects of  Hertzberg’s theory within the structure of the company. Apple uses hygiene factors as a foundation that they launch from, these factors in themselves do not motivate staff yet leave them in a neutral state. Building on from this, motivating factors that are used for employees are the knowledge they are gaining working for Apple one of the world’s leading companies in technology. Everything is top-secret employees have regular meetings keeping them refreshed with tasks, not always knowing the full extent of the work they are doing aware we can lead to. Employees are set to work in groups with each other this motivates them together to come up with new ideas, which could possibly be used in technology all over the world. After reviewing both Hertzberg and Maslow’s theory, I believe Maslow’s theory to be more effective when implemented in a work force environment. Maslow’s theory considers a step-by-step needs of the employees, whereas Hertzberg’s theory does have step-by-step needs, it’s simply allows the employee to be a neutral state of mind whilst adding in factors which can motivate them. Maslow’s theory is much more details and when implemented can have higher results. Apple uses the theory of Hertzberg, whereas Google uses the theory of Maslow. Google seem to have a much more content work force stemming from the luxuries they offer. Where as if it wasn’t for the fact that Apple employees were working for such a well-known employer, i believe Hertzberg’s theory would be much less effective within a workforce. Evaluate the usefulness of a motivation theory for managers in achieving organisational performance Management approaches are important to an organisation as they are the voice between the management and workers within an organisation. If management value their workers and make them feel valued, this will produce a positive working environment, which allows employees to perform at their best. Dependant on the approach used this can also increase communication within the workforce, which can lead to spur of the moment ideas which the business benefits from. By delivering a positive management approach to the workforce, organisation will need to invest time and money, which is then put back into the company with a positive workforce. There are three  categories of motivation theories. The first is the satisfaction theory, this is the assumption that satisfied worker is a productive worker. Incentive theories, believe the individual will work harder when good performance is rewarded. Intrinsic theory believes the reward will come from the satisfaction in the work itself, employees enjoy participating in their role and see it as an opportunity to learn. All three theories of motivation believe the individuals need encouragement to perform at their best. Google uses satisfaction theory; they satisfy their workforce by offering them numerous benefits which makes them happy they believe that by workers having perks such as laundry service, car wash, massage etc. available at work, they will perform at the highest standard. Apple uses the intrinsic theory; they believe that their employees should be privileged to work for the company, employees also believe in the reward will come from the satisfaction in the work yourself. Employees will feel motivated by the thought that they are possibly changing future technology. Discuss the impact that different leadership styles may have on motivation in organisations in periods of change Leadership is ‘the action of leading a group of people or an organization’. Leadership can be seen as a person or team with authority who offer guidance to employees which are under their control of management. Democratic leadership allows members of the group to share and contribute ideas. This approach is taken upon the belief that the learning style is usually most effective and will lead to more productive results. Benefit of democratic leadership is that quote members are encouraged to share their thoughts which can lead to better and more creative solutions to problems. The downside of a democratic leadership can be communication failures in group work, also, team members may not have the necessary knowledge needed to make contributions. Autocratic leadership is when an individual takes control over group members. Autocratic leaders will generally make choices based on their own preferences. Benefits of autocratic leadership are decisions can be made without consulting employees. Disadvantage of autocratic leadership is that it can be easily abused by an individual member, which employees may then hold resentment towards. Employees may also feel that there are opinions are not being taken on board. Laissez faire is the style of leadership where management allow employees freedom. Employees have the power and authority to choose their own decisions and goals. Benefits of this approach are that employee’s feel they have been trusted, therefore work harder to achieve a better result. Negative effects of this leadership may lead to employees not managing their schedule effectively enough, costing company’s time and money. Paternalistic leadership is a form of fatherly management style. Generally used by dominant male figures, where employees are expected to be loyal such as the father and son relationship. Benefits of this leadership style are loyal and obedient employees. Disadvantage of this style of leadership are employees not able to contribute their ideas regularly. Laissez faire leadership is consistent with that of Google. Google allow their employees to self manage their own time schedule, they believe this to be the most effective method to get the best results possible. Google believe if employees are allowed to manage their own workload, this will create a more productive workforce. Autocratic leadership is consistent with Apples method of leadership. The decisions are chosen by Steve jobs solely. While Steve would take on opinions from employees the end product decision is his. Democratic leadership has aspects of both Apple and Google leadership styles within it. Both Apple and Google allow their employees to work within team, to discuss ideas and thoughts, allowing employees with certain skill sets to come together and to bounce off each other. Skills needed by a leader are presents, motivation, creating a vision,  creating a good team atmosphere, being able to utilise the skills of different team members. The main skill needed is being able to achieve effective performance from their employees. Explain the nature of team working Groupwork is ‘a number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together’. There are two types of groups, formal groups and informal groups. Formal groups are those such as work relations defined by structure. Informal groups such as friends, society are structured. The difference between a team and a group in the workplace is that a group interacts primarily to share information, whereas a team binds individual efforts to perform better together in a group. The goal within groups is to share information; the goal within teams is for collective performance. The synergy between groups can be negative whereas in teams it is mainly positive. The skills within a group are random and varied whereas in a team they are complementary. Research is done by management when organising together a team, so that key skills complement allowing employees to thrive off each other. Whereas groups are always varied, if in a group you fail, you fail your part. If in a team you fail, the whole team suffers as a consequence. There are five stages of group development. Forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning stage. The forming stage is the first stage, when groups gather; there is much uncertainty about the group from the differing personalities to whom will take charge. The second stage is storming stage where there are many conflicts, as the group get to know each other. Norming stage is the third, where conflicts are generally resolved, closer relationships are formed and employees find ways of tolerating one another. Performing stage is stage four, a team is created where employees know how to motivate each other and recognise one another’s skill set. Adjourning stage is stage five, where activities are wrapped up and finalised. In a team where you have different employees playing different roles, the more variety you have the roles and skills you have, with a better outcome. Factors which can promote effective teams are diversity, communication, leadership and team-building exercises. Diversity can promote an effective  team by embracing different cultures and talents aswell as raising awareness/respect for differences which will then go on to support effective teams. Lacking diversity in teams can lead to team members not able to solve problems as their mindsets are very similar. Effective communication can promote an effective team, if team members feel confident to question each other on the task; this will lead to a more defined overall product. An effective team is supported by leadership, leaders support teams by utilising and coordinating skills, aswell as keeping a positive atmosphere. Belbin was upon the belief that if you bought employees together with a varied skill set, the end result would speak volumes. Belbin decided which roles would need to be fulfilled within a team these are (Appendix 3). Cohesiveness is ‘degree to which group members are attracted to each other and are motivated to stay in the group’. Ways in which group cohesiveness can be increased can be to make the group smaller, so that employees have a closer connection to one another and can communicate more effectively. Increasing time employees spend together will increase motivation to participate. Stimulating competition with rival groups will create good cohesiveness as groups will strive to win. Physically isolating the group in an environment where they can only leave until the task is done, will increase the cohesiveness as the group will all have the same aim in mind of finishing the project a.s.a.p. The overall importance of teams is essential to the both Apple and Google. Much of the process of initiating new ideas for the company is created within teams of employees with specialised skill sets. Discuss what factors may promote or threaten the development of effective teamwork in organisations Ability can affect an employee’s behaviour within the workforce, if they are capable of doing the work at hand; they are likely to accomplish it. If an individual does not feel they have the ability to do the work set, this can affect their behaviour in the workforce as they can become lazy,  un-enthusiastic and brush this off onto their peers. Google work with their employees so that employees can set their own targets, this is an advantage as employees would only set targets they have the ability to achieve. An attitude is ‘a mental’ state an individual has within the workforce, individual behaviour can be affected severely if a person does not have the correct attitude needed for the task, work may be completed to an unsatisfactory level with the maximum time taken to do so, a person’s ambition can also be affected by poor attitude towards their work. (Appendix 4)†¦ Stress and change can have a huge influence on an individual’s behaviour, for somebody who is suffering with stress, this may cause low confidence levels and poor obedience in line with the company’s values classing the employee as a liability.(Appendix 5)†¦ All these factors which can affect an employee’s performance within teamwork, can brush off onto other members of the team with the same negative results. Apple and Google do their best to ensure these negative factors do not occur within their workforce, by the perks which employees are offered. Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within the two organisations There are many different ways of technology in which employees of Apple and Google can communicate with each other. Skype, e-mails, messaging, voice calls. Advantages of using technology to communicate within teams is this can be done outside of the workforce, and is available at all times, so if a team member had spontaneous idea, they could relay this to their peers, this also allows employees increased times for decision making aswell as equalisation of team members. Disadvantage of this is employees may then lack professionalism and not focus on the task at hand; the quality of technology responses can be hindered such as an employee replying to a quick e-mail on a Friday afternoon which is likely to be brief. Issues in using today’s technology is that it may not always be reliable, as all employees cannot access the technology at the same time, or if it is under maintenance.