Strategic Project Management

Strategic Project Management Preamble Zenith PM is a traditional contracting company, which has been affected by the economic crisis. It has also faced a problem of maintaining a health order book for long-term contracts. This has made the company to employ workers on a contractual basis.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Project Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has led to a high rate of turnover of employees. There is a need to change the core business model in order to solve these problems. This report involves the process of changing from the traditional manufacturing to the offsite manufacturing. Introduction Most companies have several projects running at the same time. However, the current economic downturn has made various manufacturing companies to re-evaluate their current situation. This has enabled them to shift from the traditional manufacturing to offsite manufacturing technique. Offsite manufacturing may al so be described as the modern method of construction. It involves the establishment of structures in different places from the location of use. It involves constructing modules at the factory and then transporting these modules to the site using specifically designed trailers. It is a modern method of construction, which depends on offsite construction elements (Jones, 2000). This method is commonly applied in various sectors of the economy to improve efficiency in the construction process. This includes housing for health sector and education sector providing economical and social advantages. Offsite Manufacturing Off site, manufacturing entails designing of building modules whereby operations are carried in a factory. (Petridis, 2009). Modular units are then taken to the site and used in constrution. The method helps in providing effective and cost effective solutions to the company. It applies modern manufacturing processes and technology to improve construction. The management o f Zenith PM should change from its current traditional site built construction, to the offsite construction method (Womack, 2001). This method of construction reduces the project construction time; this is because the buildings are structured at the same time with site preparation. It may even take less half the time taken by the traditional construction method.Advertising Looking for report on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A lot of work is not done in the project site, and this reduces the amount of disruption in the site. The management should adopt this method of construction as it fits well in places where labor is expensive. Materials can also be bought in large quantities because a lot of work is done in the factory. This construction method will also enable Zenith PM to achieve manufacturing efficiencies. Zenith PM is a traditional construction company, so it can be served better by offsi te manufacturing due to its limited space (Gibb, 2001). The offsite construction will enable the company to provide quality facilities at a less cost. The method involves program simplification, which increases productivity levels on the site. Using the product and process innovation off site construction enables a construction company to provide quality facilities. This method will help Zenith PM to provide complex building facilities, which will make it competitive. It will also help in reducing the operational cost as well as defects units (Gil, 2000). The improved manufacturing design and the process will help zenith in maintaining its workers and reduce the rate of turnover. Off site, manufacturing will also help the company to gain sustainability from enhanced performance and efficiency. Zenith will also benefit from significant waste reduction and a further reduction in site traffic. It creates safety-working conditions to employees due to its well-controlled environment. The company will maximize its return on investment by using off site manufacturing (Roger, 2008). It leads to high standards of workmanship, which is beneficial to the company. It involves great architecture, which will correspond with savings. Today, most companies especially contracting companies have recognized the benefits of the offsite manufacturing method and zenith pm should follow suit in adopting this method. Business Strategy Considerations Off site manufacturing provides a crucial advantage in a major contractor’s portfolio, as it provides innovation into the market. Most companies are working hard to change from the traditional manufacturing to the offsite manufacturing method. However, there are some problems encountered in adopting this manufacturing method. These problems may include public sector spending reviews as well as economic crisis. For instance, a company like Tata Steel had to close down its off site manufacturing operations in North Wales. Britspace M odular Buildings Limited was forced to go into liquidation. The company should develop efficient business strategy considerations to change into off site manufacturing method. First, it should consider the current security and logistic issues to be affected by this change.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Project Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Waste management strategy is another consideration. It has been proved that waste constitute of around 25% of the project costs in the traditional construction process (School, 2007). Current quality control and work schedule strategies of Zenith PM should also be considered during the change management process. The company should also consider the appointment of suppliers and manufacturers. Pre-contract services agreement is the appropriate logistic method used in offsite manufacturing sites. The company should also consider the skills availability and the recruitment strategy. Project cost management should also be considered as off site manufacturing will lead to a cost reduction. These costs include the costs of fully finished modules as well as site installation costs. The current marketing strategies of Zenith PM should also be considered. Market segmentation issues such as niche marketing will influence the offsite manufacturing processes. Product quality will also be affected by using the offsite manufacturing technology. It will lead to production of high quality products at a lower cost and at a reduced time. The current organizational structure of the company should also be taken into consideration. This should also include the entire workforce of the company. Changing to offsite manufacturing process will affect the entire workforce of Zenith PM hence the need for all workers to be ready for a change. New Business Model Solution and Implementation Strategy Zenith Company should implement the offsite manufacturing which is regarded as the modern method of manufacturing. The new project should fit into the company’s strategic framework (David, 2006). The project design should be able to fit the manufacturing process. The project management, as well as the project team, should be committed to the installation of manufactured modules. All the people participating in the implementation process should understand the changed process (David Lewis, 2002). The company needs to reduce the number of workers in order to allow for innovation and cost reduction. The number of management layers will also be reduced in order to increase employee satisfaction. This will lead to a more efficient company, which will be able to adopt the offsite manufacturing technology. The new business model will create a growth in the rate of turnover and employees satisfaction.Advertising Looking for report on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The management will design the new business model as well as the organizational chart. The entire workforce will be involved in the implementation process (Gerard, 2009). The company should also contact models consultants during the implementation process. The project managers will lead the project team in the implementation process. Change agents and a steering committee should also be appointed in order to monitor and evaluate the implementation process. Workers should be committed towards the change management process. They need to be trained in order to prepare for the coming change. Communication plan should be designed in order to enhance communication by the members of the project team in all stages of the implementation process. The actual implementation of the offsite manufacturing model should take a period of 12 months. Risk Management Risk involves something that may occur during the implementation process, and if it happens, it will have a negative effect on the project . During the risk management process, the company should design a risk management plan (Harold, 2009). The plan will have four stages of risk management. In the first stage, the company should identify the potential risks. People from the manufacturing and IT department should brainstorm and identify the potential risks associated with offsite manufacturing. There are various risks, which may affect the project process such as business risks, which will be handled by the business (Crouhy Mark, 2006). There can also be generic risks that may affect the project. Risk quantification is another factor to be considered by the company in the risk management process. This involves assessing the impact of the potential risk to the project. The company should use the probability matrix to evaluate the impact of a potential risk. Another component of risk management to be considered by the company is the risk response. This involves how the company will respond to a potential risk (Galai, 20 02). The final step in risk management will be the risk control. This involves monitoring and evaluation of risks to identify changes that may occur. It will also help in identifying the probability and the impact of risks in the project implementation process. Risk control may also enable the company to identify new risks. The company should follow the four steps in order to effectively manage potential risks. Conclusion Offsite manufacturing is a modern innovation method of construction. It involves the design of individual modules in the factory and then transporting the units to the construction site. Most manufacturing companies today are changing from the traditional manufacturing to offsite manufacturing. It provides a cost effective solutions to the manufacturing industry. It is based on modern manufacturing processes and technological improvements (Luecke, 2007). It has enabled the manufacturing companies to become competitive through producing quality products. Zenith PM C ompany is in the process of adopting the offsite manufacturing in order to solve its current problems. The company should adopt this modern and innovative technology in order to remain competitive in the manufacturing industry (Thompson, 2007). The problem of economic downturn affecting the company may be reduced using off site manufacturing technology. Many designers, manufacturers as well as contractors, have been exploiting the benefit of offsite manufacturing. However, one of the major limitations of implementing this method is its complexity. This has made some companies using this method to close down leading to job losses for many people. Lack of skilled personnel is another limitation in the adoption of offsite manufacturing. However, Zenith Company should change its manufacturing operations from the traditional manufacturing to the offsite manufacturing. This is because off site manufacturing has several benefits as compared to the traditional manufacturing. These manufactu ring benefits include improved productivity, improved control, improved cost, improved quality as well as improved processes. Reference List Crouhy, M Mark, R 2006, Risk Management, New York, Wiley. David, C, 2006, Strategic Management:Strategic Project Design and Implementation, California,California University Press. David, C Lewis, I 2002, Project Management:Strategic Design and Implementation, New York, McGraw Hill. Galai, D 2002, The Essentials of Risk Management. Chicago, Chicago University Press. Gerard, H 2009, The complete project management methodolog, California, CRC Press. Gibb, A 2001, Off-SiteFabrication, Scotland, Whittles Publishing. Gil, T 2000, Contribution of Speciality Contractor Knowledge to Early Desig, London, Sussex University Press. Harold, K 2009, Project Management:A System Approach to Planning,Scheduling, and Controllin, New York, Wiley. Jones, D 2000, The MachineThat Changed The Worl,. New York, Wiley. Luecke, R 2007, Managing Change and Transition, Lo ndon, Harvard Business Press. Petridis, P 2009, Manubuild Construction Site Training Simulator for Offsite Manufacturin,. Manchester, University of Salford Press. Roger, L 2008, Designers and General Contractors Perceptions of Offsite Construction Techniques, International Journal of Construction Education and Research , 177-188. School, H 2007, Managing Chang, London, Harvard Business Press. Thompson, R 2007, Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals, Chicago, Thames and Hudson. Womack, P 2001, How the World Has Changed Since the MachineThat Changed The World, Chicago, Lean Enterprise Institute.

Admissions Statistics for Saint Josephs College in Indiana

Admissions Statistics for Saint Joseph's College in Indiana To apply to Saint Josephs College, interested students will need to submit an application, along with official high school transcripts and scores from either the SAT or the ACT. The school has an acceptance rate of 77%. Those with good grades and test scores have a good chance of being admittedif your test scores fall within or above the ranges listed below, you are on track for admission. If you have any questions about the admissions process or application requirements, be sure to visit Saint Josephs website, or get in touch with someone from the admissions office. Admissions Data (2016): Saint Josephs College Acceptance Rate: 77%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 425  / 515SAT Math: 430 / 530SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 21  / 24ACT English: 16  / 24ACT Math: 17 / 23What these ACT numbers mean Saint Josephs College Description: Founded in 1889, Saint Joseph’s College is a four-year, private, Roman Catholic college located on a 180-acre campus in Rensselaer, Indiana, an hour and a half from both Chicago and Indianapolis. Students come from 23 states and a majority live on campus. With roughly 1,200 students and a student/faculty ratio of 14 to 1, SJC offers an intimate college experience in which students get to work closely with their professors. Saint Josephs College students can choose from 27 majors, 35 minors, and 9 pre-professional programs. The top majors are nursing, biology, and business administration. The Princeton Review has frequently named Saint Joe among the â€Å"Best Regional Colleges.† SJC has a long list of student clubs and organizations on campus, as well as eight intramural sports including flag football, ultimate frisbee, and dodgeball. For intercollegiate sports, the Saint Josephs College Pumas compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) with 18 teams, 9 men’s and 9 women’s. Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 972  (950 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 48% Male / 52% Female93% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $30,080Books: $900 (why so much?)Room and Board: $9,480Other Expenses: $1,420Total Cost: $41,880 Saint Josephs College Financial Aid (2015  - 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 96%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 96%Loans: 75%Average Amount of AidGrants: $22,294Loans: $7,117 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Biology, Business, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Nursing, Psychology Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 69%4-Year Graduation Rate: 43%6-Year Graduation Rate: 50% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Football, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Track, and FieldWomens Sports:  Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like Saint Josephs College, You May Also Like These Schools: Ball State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphValparaiso University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphHanover College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphPurdue University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphIndiana University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphTrine University: Profile  University of St. Francis: Profile  Saint Xavier University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Indianapolis: Profile  Butler University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph

The History, Climate, Biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands

The History, Climate, Biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago located about 621 miles (1,000 km) from the continent of South America in the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is composed of 19 volcanic islands that are claimed by Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands are famous for their variety of endemic (native only to the islands) wildlife that was studied by Charles Darwin during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. His visit to the islands inspired his theory of natural selection and drove his writing of On the Origin of Species which was published in 1859. Because of the variety of endemic species, the Galapagos Islands are protected by national parks and a biological marine reserve. Also, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History The Galapagos Islands were first discovered by Europeans when the Spanish arrived there in 1535. Throughout the rest of the 1500s and into the early 19th century, many different European groups landed on the islands, but there were no permanent settlements until 1807. In 1832, the islands were annexed by Ecuador and named the Archipelago of Ecuador. Shortly after that in September 1835 Robert FitzRoy and his ship the HMS Beagle arrived on the islands, and naturalist Charles Darwin began to study the areas biology and geology. During his time on the Galapagos, Darwin learned that the islands were home to new species that only seemed to live on the islands. For example, he studied mockingbirds, now known as Darwins finches, which appeared to be different from each other on different islands. He noticed the same pattern with the tortoises of the Galapagos and these findings later led to his theory of natural selection. In 1904 an expedition from the Academy of Sciences of California began on the islands and Rollo Beck, the expeditions leader, started collecting various materials on things like geology and zoology. In 1932 another expedition was conducted by the Academy of Sciences to collect different species. In 1959, the Galapagos Islands became a national park, and tourism grew throughout the 1960s. Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, there was a period of conflict between the islands native population and the park service. However, today the islands are still protected, and tourism still occurs. Geography and Climate The Galapagos Islands are located in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, and the closest landmass to them is Ecuador. They are also on the equator with a latitude of about 1Ëš40N to 1Ëš36S. There is a total distance of 137 miles (220 km) between the northernmost and southernmost islands, and the total land area of the archipelago is 3,040 square miles (7,880 sq km). In total, the archipelago is made up of 19 main islands and 120 small islands according to UNESCO. The largest islands include Isabela, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Santiago, and San Cristobal. The archipelago is volcanic, and as such, the islands were formed millions of years ago as a hot spot in the Earths crust. Because of this type of formation, the larger islands are the summit of ancient, underwater volcanoes and the tallest of them are over 3,000 m from the seafloor. According to UNESCO, the western part of the Galapagos Islands is the most seismically active, while the rest of the region has eroded volcanoes. The older islands also have collapsed craters that were once the summit of these volcanoes. Also, much the Galapagos Islands are dotted with crater lakes and lava tubes, and the overall topography of the islands varies. The climate of the Galapagos Islands also varies based on the island and although it is located in a tropical region on the equator, a cold ocean current, the Humboldt Current, brings cold water near the islands which causes a cooler, wetter climate. In general, from June to November is the coldest and windiest time of the year and it is not uncommon for the islands to be covered in fog. By contrast from December to May, the islands experience little wind and sunny skies, but there are also strong rain storms during this time. Biodiversity and Conservation The most famous aspect of the Galapagos Islands is its unique biodiversity. There are many different endemic birds, reptiles and invertebrate species and the majority of these species are endangered. Some of these species include the Galapagos giant tortoise which has 11 different subspecies throughout the islands, a variety of iguanas (both land-based and marine), 57 types of bird, 26 of which are endemic to the islands. Also, some of these endemic birds are flightless such as the Galapagos flightless cormorant.There are only six native species of mammal on the Galapagos Islands, and these include the Galapagos fur seal, the Galapagos sea lion as well as rats and bats. The waters surrounding the islands are also highly biodiverse with different species of shark and rays. Also, the endangered green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle commonly nest on the beaches of the islands.Because of the endangered and endemic species on the Galapagos Islands, the islands themselves and the waters s urrounding them are the subjects of many different conservation efforts. The islands are home to many national parks, and in 1978 they became a World Heritage Site. Sources: UNESCO. (n.d.). Galapagos Islands - UNESCO World Heritage Center. Retrieved from: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1Wikipedia.org. (24 January 2011). Galapagos Islands - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gal%C3%A1pagos_Islands

Critically assess Renaissance understandings of humankind Essay - 1

Critically assess Renaissance understandings of humankind - Essay Example The aspects of sharp senses, power of reason, and high level of intelligence, as presented under the Oration On the Dignity of Man also seen as the manifesto to the Renaissance, as the aspects that put mankind in a unique category from the rest of the creatures, owing the fact that these characteristics of mankind serves as the bridge between the lower cadre of life which consists of God’s creatures, and the higher cadre consisting of God and all that is in heaven (Mirandola, 1965 p3). Therefore, the concept of hierarchy existed before the middle Ages, according to Plotinus idea of The One the Demiurge, and the Material World, and thus the middle ages just created a more organized theory. However, the most important of all the factors that completely put mankind in a unique position, is the freedom of judgment that mankind was granted by the creator, so that he could be able to differentiate the good and the bad, and based on this judgment, he could then get an opportunity to ascend upwards, from the middle category where he was created to fit, to join the upper cadre of life (Mirandola, 1965 p5). Therefore, Renaissance of humankind is pitched on the concept of happiness, which is derived from freedom, where mankind was given that; â€Å"Liberty of God the father! O great and wonderful happiness of man! It is given to him to have that which he chooses and to be that which he wills† (Mirandola, 1965 p5). Nevertheless, while the concept of freedom and happiness informs Pico’s philosophy of the Renaissance understandings of humankind, there seems to be some form of contradiction in this philosophy. His philosophy points to the fact that man was created with absolute freedom to choose, so that he could become all that he wished to become and have everything that he chose to have. However, the philosophy is later contradicted by upholding the principle that God spoke to man after creation, and told him

Management information and communications systems - MICS Essay

Management information and communications systems - MICS - Essay Example The rapidly advancing MICS has presented the organizations with immense benefits in terms of efficient data collection, processing of data to support managerial decision making, problem solving processes and enabling a highly collaborative work environment. Transformations in business processes and managerial strategies have been guided by the developments in MICS for enhanced productivity, performance and competitive advantage. However, the challenges exposed by such systems cannot be ignored since it requires in-depth understanding and effective policies to control the ill-effects of MICS. Organizations make use of various techniques like data mining and warehousing to analyse online user behaviour and accommodate strategic practices to achieve higher traffic to their websites. Personal information and vital data related to financial transactions are exposed to threats of misuse by fraudsters. Thus, privacy and data protection issues are some of the vital challenges to which indivi duals are exposed today and this is one of the primary factors guiding online user behaviour. Issues like online frauds, identity theft, information leakage, and hacking have become the buzzwords for Internet users. How vulnerable are we to such frauds and invasions on our personal spaces and what measures can we take to protect ourselves from such incidents? These are some of the vital questions that are faced by the Internet users. Organizations and institutions are grappling with the challenges of protecting customer data and ensuring ethical practices while dealing with sensitive personal information provided by users. The paper provides an in-depth assessment and analysis of these issues by highlighting key aspects of MICS and the ways in which information is handled in today’s world. The report identifies common practices adopted by online websites and organizations to tap into individual information easily available on the Internet and use it to promote its business go als and objectives. The ethical concerns raised by such practices has become the focal point of quite a lot of research studies and efforts are on to control the negative impacts of MICS through efficient practices and policies that guide online behaviour. MICS and privacy – an overview of current and traditional theories The global economy is deeply influenced by innovations and technology breakthroughs that have opened new opportunities and new models of operating in an increasingly complex environment. The complexities arising from globalization of economies and opening of markets to foreign trade and capital have created new possibilities for organizations, despite the fact that this has also presented new challenges and difficulties for managers in devising effective strategies for promoting business goals. Technology in such instances has proved itself a boon in assisting managers to pursue international marketing goals and objectives. Businesses are driven by profits a nd goals that constantly seek new markets and opportunities for growth. However, this is not an easy task given the wide diversities existing in global regions and markets. One of the popular means of exploring new markets and business growth potentials is the Internet that has provided the global managers with an innovative tool to assimilate vital data and statistics that aid in faster decision making and accurate problem solving mechanism. Organizations thus rely on information transfer and knowledge processing

Exploring the interest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Exploring the interest - Essay Example Both Baca and Lu assert that language skills can be used for a variety of purposes and to advance causes which cannot be advanced otherwise. Reading books can play a phenomenal role in a person’s life and the power of writing is such that it can cleanse the wounds and quench the maddening thirst. Baca’s description of what he experienced while writing and how writing relates to thinking suggests that the power of words cannot be denied as it helps transform all the hidden thoughts in black and white. Lu also suggests the same idea but in a different context. She claims that there is a conflict between the world of home and the world of schools. Things we learn at home can potentially conflict with the literacy taught in schools (xxx 372). Baca (cited in xxx 390) expresses in his autobiography how his interest in writing eventually helped him immensely in developing language skills which are important to come out to strangers. Good language skills and writing talent play an immense role in ensuring safety and happiness. While imprisoned, words of the poets like Neruda, Paz, and Hemingway brought life to Baca who thrived for such things as they made him feel liberated and rescued from the unfortunate circumstances which targeted him. Power of the words was such that it transformed Baca into another person whenever he listened to the poetry of great poets from other prisoners. Baca expresses how their poetic language used to enthrall him and carry him to places far away from the gloomy prison cells where he was captivated. That power rescued him from the highly unfortunate inability to defend himself by way of words. Nothing is as humiliating as not being able to express himself (Baca, cited in xxx 387). Lu, in similar context as Baca, express how words helped her to fill up the silence which always haunted her throughout her childhood due to not being able to speak up to her mother how overtly

With reference to your own research, do you think that the ability of Essay

With reference to your own research, do you think that the ability of a business to act successfully in a socially responsible manner is mainly determined by the products it produces - Essay Example The concept of CRS rose in the 1960’s after World War II (Carroll & Shabana 2010, p. 86). The primary cause of increased concern in the CSR concept is due to consumer concern social behavior of firms. The concept of CSR has faced both favors and objection. The main objection of CSR is that the primary concern of a business is to improve the profit of its stakeholders. Social issues are the interest of the government and corporations ought not to be involved. Business is also thought not to be capable of handling social issues. According to Carroll & Shabana (2010, p. 87), business has acquired enough power and the social power should not be entrusted to it. Embracing CSR concept in businesses will reduce the national competitiveness both at local and global level. On the other hand, CSR concept has been accredited as the source of business success in various ways. First, CSR determines business viability that consequently determines its future operations and success. CSR concept is also believed to offer a platform to enable business institutions to shun influence and regulation by the government. According to Carroll & Shabana (2010, p. 88), use of CSR will help business to anticipate and initiate social events. Such pro-action is less costly than reacting to than responding to social problems encountered. The significant influence of a product to business performance lies in customer awareness. Products highly affect customer’s top of mind awareness that, consequently affect their loyalty. Top of mind awareness depends on customer’s perception of the ethical values of a firm’s product and services. In determining the relationship between product and business performance, this paper explains the corporate social organization and its outcome of different companies. However, business success in penetrating the market is mainly affected by its quality, price and convenience (Vogel