Awareness of business systems methodologies appropriate to the Essay

Awareness of business systems methodologies appropriate to the analysis of complex international logistics and supply chain systems - Essay Example The first stage as given by Dong, Xu and Song (2013) in analysing a problem situation is to clearly identify the problem or opportunity. In the context of ElMesmary, Song and Dinwoodie (2014), the problem identified can be said to be issues with the strategic/tactical and operational planning problems involved in the container terminal logistics processes in Alexandria. ElMesmary, Song and Dinwoodie (2014) observed that strategic/tactical planning problems arise at the first stage of the planning process for container terminals as planners seek to tackle terminal design problems as part of the overall technical feasibility and performance. Operational planning problems have also been noted to come about when logistics processes are being taken in the container terminals (ElMesmary, Song and Dinwoodie, 2014). The second stage of using HSA in analysing problem situation has been said to involve the description of the situation in its current state via the use of diagrams and open discussion. Based on Azevedo, Ferreira, Dias and Palma. (2009), the following diagram can be used to describe the identified problem with strategic/tactical and operational planning. Based on the diagram given above, the main source of the problem can be said to come from the Alexandria container terminal, which is transmitted in the form of multimodal interfaces and IT systems. As the problem manifests, it becomes further amplified with bottlenecks in the container terminal logistics process which act as noise source. The diagram also shows that the problem identified is received by the strategic/tactical and operational planners and further dropped with the container terminal managers as destination (Kim, 2005). The third stage with the use of the HSA has been said to involve the process of describing the situation as it would ideally be. In this regard, it can be said that the strategic/tactical and operational planning was expected to

Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Film - Essay Example Therefore, Robert De Niro favored him by deploying other tactics and campaigns to portray him as the best. This was seen in his campaign slogans. Thirdly, Robert De Niro had a conflict of interest, which was unethical. He developed propaganda that favored the president leading to his re-election. However, the conflict of interest emanated when he felt jealous that the media did not recognize him as the person behind the president’s re-election. This made him want to call the press to tell the truth about the president re-election leading to his death. Fourthly, Robert De Niro did not strengthen the public trust, but instead fed them with lies in favor of the president. This is because he lied to the public that the president was a clean man, despite the sex scandal that was fresh in the people’s mind. When the people realized his lies, he changed the tune and fabricated information regarding the missing people in Albania. Lastly, Robert De Niro failed to foster informed decision through open communication. He was dancing to the tune of the president because he did all that the president wanted. He was not open to receive information from other people who were also interested in finding a solution to the problem. Wag the Dog may be interpreted to mean diverting the public attention from the truth or something important to a less significant issue. In the movie, the most important point, which was going to determine the outcome of the election, was the sex scandal that befell the president. It was in the public, and everyone knew it. However, Wag the Dog was realized when attention was diverted to the fake constructed was about Albanian terrorists. The aim was to divert the attention of the media to dwell on the false war and stop spending time on the sex scandal. However, this did not do much since the CIA detected the fake annotation and never wanted to fail the

Estimating Micro Estimation

Estimating Micro Estimation Gray and Larson (2003), defines estimation as the process of forecasting the time and the cost of completing project deliverables. These processes are developed by each organization, and employed in a unique way possible. Estimating project times and cost Accurate estimates are critical for effective project management, as inaccurate estimates may lead to false expectations and consumer dissatisfaction. Accurate estimation depends on cost and time. The lifelines for control are budgets, times and cost; they serve as a comparison between the plan outlined in the project and the actual occurrence when undertaking the project. Accurate and reliable estimates also assist in setting up project rollup and project status reports which are the major input for measuring variances and taking action. Managers will need these estimates to make the project schedule and cost for every work package in the project. This data information assists in the coordination of the project by the management. Organization cultures influence the organizations quality of estimates in that, different organizations respond differently to certain estimates e.g. padding estimates are tolerated and privately encouraged in some organizations. While others may place a premium on accuracy and strongly discourage gamesmanship estimates. The importance attached on estimates, affects the quality of estimates in some organizations. A number of them believe that detailed estimates may take much time and are not worth the effort or that future cannot be predicted. Others they may have the belief that accurate estimates are the baseline for effective project management The difference between macro and Micro estimation is; Macro estimating approach are estimating processes which are classified as top down and are usually derived from analogy or mathematical relationship. Micro-estimating approach are estimating processes, classified as bottom-up and are based typically on elements estimates found in the work breakdown structure.There are certain conditions that one would prefer to use each of the above estimating approach. Macro estimates can be used when making strategic decisions; there is high uncertainly; the project is small and internal and when the scope is unstable. Micro estimates on the other hand can be applied when; cost and time is important; fixed-price contract and when the customers wants details. The type of cost found in a project are Direct cost (Labor, material, equipments, etc), project overhead costs, and general and administrative overhead costs. Direct cost can be altered to a specific work package and are therefore influenced by the project manager. Direct costs represent real cash outflows and must be paid as the project progresses. Direct overhead costs (project costs) which closely pinpoint organizations resources being used in the project can be partly influenced by the project manager. Time phase estimation is appropriate when a project is surrounded by unusual amount of uncertainty and it becomes impractical to estimate times and costs for the entire project. A two estimate system is used in time-phase estimation in which a detailed estimated is first developed for the immediate phase and a macro estimate is made for the remaining phase of the project. Contingency allowance should be separated from original estimates because, it has been experimentally noted that many projects total estimates do not materialize and the actual costs and schedule of some projects significantly exceed original work package based estimates. The estimation errors may result in the process of estimation or in the inherent uncertainty of predicting the future. Conclusion Estimates of time and cost are important when carrying out a project. Estimates based on facts from other past projects produces at most accurate information. People, technology and downtimes may sometimes influence the quality of estimates. Estimates based on facts should be acceptable as they represent the best realistic times and cost estimates. Reference Gray, C.F. and Larson, E.W. 2002.Project Management: The Complete Guide for Every Manager, McGraw-Hill publishers

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening :: literary Analysis, Frost

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening: Simple Poem or Complex Themes Frost uses symbolism, including characters and objects, in an effort to create the various themes for the reader. The adjective â€Å"little† describes the horse as something that isn’t dangerous; however, the little horse’s character has a significant purpose (C5 1). The harness bells, worn by the horse, are a reminder to the speaker of his duties (G 1). The mention of the unnamed owner of the woods by the speaker causes difficulties that cannot be easily detected. The speaker focuses less on the woods than on the thought that they didn’t belong to him. The unnamed owner of the woods is thought to be a society person that lives in the nearby village (C2, 1). The speaker provides the reader a picture of what occurs in the poem (B4,2). Because he mentions the owner of the woods, the reader can contemplate that he respects the property of others. It seems that it would be more upsetting to him to be observed by the owner of the woods than by the horse . Although it is obvious the speaker wants a private moment in the woods, the reader is left wondering what the speaker is really thinking (C3, 1-2). Resistant objects are another form of symbolism used in â€Å"Stopping by Woods.† The woods represent life in an uncivilized world (B5 3). The speaker feels an attraction to the woods; for that reason, he immediately allows the setting to provide him a brief time away from his daily responsibilities (E2, np). Right away the speaker acknowledges that he does not own woods. The last stanza includes a few more descriptive words about the woods; although, the woods do not appear to be the whole purpose of the poem (F1 354). Frost uses both visual and audio imagery to reveal various facts to the reader. â€Å"He will not see me stopping here† reveals to the reader that the speaker believes no one will see him and so he feels all right about the things he is thinking. â€Å"To watch his woods fill up with snow† implies that the speaker has been watching for a while. The way that Frost writes the poem, it is as if the reader can hear the speaker’s thoughts (D1 16). The harness bells of the little horse provides another audio imagery.

Joseph Goebbels Essay

In the 1930s, Hitler and his Nazi regime led an enormous campaign of propaganda to spread lies about the Jews. During this time, Europe was desperately deciding on how they should deal with the situation. They didn't want another world war, but they had to do something. The more people that converted to Nazism, the harder it was going to be to stop Germany. The man in charge of all the anti-Semitic propaganda at the time was Joseph Goebbels. Goebbels was responsible for the dehumanization of millions of Jews in the 1930s to 1940s.Once he accomplished this, the elimination of Jews didn't seem like murder at all to the people he brainwashed. Joesph Goebbels discovered Nazism in 1924 (Encyclopedia Americana). He obtained full control over the â€Å"mouth† department of the Nazis in 1928. He became the prime minister of said department,and that's when things started to pick up. Goebbels used propaganda in a way that it made like the Jews were inferior and worthless. One could comp are them to the untouchables of the Indian caste system. Anyway, Goebbels was a master of propaganda.In fact, he exaggerated it so much, that even he didn't believe what he was producing. T. R. Hughs from the Sunday Telegraph states â€Å"If Goebbels believed his own propaganda, it could have been embarrassing. † This statement shows that Goebbels blatantly stretched the truth in order to gain power for Germany. He preached a distorted view of the Jews and their ways. Goebbels had a wide variety of propaganda in stock. He had movies made, posters created, and songs conjured to promote Nazism. He even had celebrities speak highly of Nazism to the public (â€Å"Goebbels:Master of Propaganda†, J.Dick). He portrayed them as normal means of entertainment, but there was always a hidden message of sorts within it. Goebbels favorite form of propaganda was movies. He saw the potential movies had to reach the subconscious of a person (â€Å"Goebbels:Master of Propaganda†, J. Dick) Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels were pretty tightly knit with each other. Hitler saw Goebbels' potential and used that potential to convert more people into Nazism. Goebbels was extremely devoted to Hitler as well. As stated by P.Miller in Evil genius of Hitler's Propaganda Machine: Goebbels' Diaries, â€Å"Whenever Hitler spoke, Goebbels saw to it that his words got the right reception. † In a diary belonging to Goebbels, it states, â€Å"Together with Bolshevism, Jewry will also experience it's great catastrophe. † This quote shows us that Hitler, with Goebbels' help, gained allies and was able to persecute the Jews to an extreme extent. In conclusion, Joseph Goebbels was a very influential man, he fooled thousands of people into a lie that he didn't even believe in.Not to mention he was Hitler's right hand when it came to the socialist department of the Nazis. Even though he was the runt of the litter (weak left foot, small, thin stature) he was able to m anipulate the minds of millions. He eventually saw that Hitler's â€Å"Reign of Terror† was deteriorating, so he took his and his entire family's lives. Goebbels and his wife died in a similar fashion as Hitler and his wife. They both were underground, and shot each other at the same time.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest †A Movie Review Essay

Reviewing a movie which has been considered a classic by contemporary judgment by the academy awards committee is always difficult. Milos Forman’s, â€Å"One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest† is one such film which has won critical claim winning five Oscars including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Jack Nicholson), Actress (Louise Fletcher) and Screenplay (Bo Goldman). (Forman, 1975). The director and the cast is apparently well identifiable so are perhaps the characters to those who have read the book of the same name by Ken Kessey. This has however been creatively adapted in the film leading to the screen play also winning an Oscar in its category. The acting, music and the film score are thus perfect though not necessarily without areas for improvement while the technical parameters of lighting, sound and camera work is also befitting this movie which will remain a classic of its times. Without depriving the director and the actors of their credits, it would be prudent to critically examine facets which could have been projected differently or improved upon. Randle Patrick McMurphy (Nicholson) the principal protagonist in the movie is a criminal who declares himself insane while serving a relatively short prison term with a view to avoid the misery and discomfort of prison life. He ends up in a mental asylum run by a nurse who is regarded as a tyrant by her patients as she exercises total control over them. Nurse Ratched’s (Fletcher) influence is all the more telling on those patients who have come to the asylum voluntarily rather than for treatment of a mental illness. Thus their submission has been institutionalized by the need for recommendations of Ratched for their release and treatment such as shock therapies which would be torturous for normal persons. McMurphy’s induction into this scenario was bound to create friction for he is an eternal rebellious, bounder who however is impervious that many of his fellow mates just as he himself are faking treatment. As in such establishments friendships develop and McMurphy is drawn towards Billy Bibbit (Dourif) a man with suicidal tendencies and Chief Bromden (Sampson) the original narrator of the plot in the book. Bromden is a schizophrenic and a native America who is respected for his size rather than his physical infirmities being deaf and dumb. While McMurphy and Bromden are defiant towards Nurse Ratched’s domineering attitude Bibbit is submissive. Their friendship develops particularly when McMurphy discovers that Bromden is faking deafness. Thus he lets him know his plans for escape. On a late winter night, McMurphy enters clandestinely into the nurse’s station and calls his girl friend to assist him in escape. The girl comes with her friend who is seduced by Billy. When the binge ends, the wreckage of the party is noticeable leading to heavy reprimand by Ratched principally directed at Billy. Being weak and also perhaps guilty, Billy commits suicide, in turn leading to McMurphy going into a violent rage and strangling Ratched almost to her death. A lobotomy operation is carried out on McMurphy whose plight leads the Chief to strangle him with a pillow before making good his escape from the asylum to Canada. The plot of the movie is generally based on the book, though the screen play adaptation does not provide centrality to the role of the narrator, Bromden (Sampson), a fact rued by the author (Kessey) who had written the book based on real life characters in a mental asylum. The theme explores multiple strands, escapism represented by people voluntarily declaring themselves as insane and getting admitted in a mental asylum, politics of such establishments, power of the nurses and how it is ruthlessly exercised and the desperation of individuals caught within the rot in such systems. It is indeed a very complex plot to portray and the director has done justice in most parts of the film. The actors in their roles have been near perfect, with McMurphy very aptly portrayed by Nicholson including the naivete on entering the asylum, inability to understand the complex relationships that emerge and power games that he plays with Ratched. Fletcher as the demonic tyrant and prima donna of an asylum is also just right. So are the other supporting actors. For those who have read the book as well as seen the film, the exception of not viewing it through narration by Chief Bromden may appear striking, but for others it would not be that relevant. This was also seen as a notable flaw in the movie by the author, Kessey apart from wrong casting of Nicholson as McMurphy, though the critical acclaim received by the actor should lead us to overlook the writer’s comments as being too attached to the original script. There are instances however when Forman tends to stray from the main theme and the digressions prove to be not just unconvincing but also greatly weaken the plot. The suicide by Billy is inappropriately portrayed and results in creating an impact of an imposition on the viewer which is not effectively weaved in the plot. The fishing trip on a stolen boat is perhaps the weakest link as it takes the plot on an indefinable course. The scene with all the principals on the deck of a fishing boat looks totally incongruous and the intent of the director is not discernible. Despite these infirmities, this is one movie which cannot be missed by any American. Reference: 1. Forman, Milos. (1975). One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.