Essay on Two Business A2 Level Critical Path Analysis...

Q1) Discuss the benefits to Balfour Beatty of using critical path analysis in order to plan its construction projects. (15 marks) Critical path analysis identifies the most efficient and cost effective way of completing a complex project. The various activities which together will make up the project are identified, and the order of these activities are identified. Then, the duration of each activity is estimated and these factors are then arranged as a network or graph, showing the whole project from start to finish, and showing which tasks can happen at the same time. The sequence of tasks which have to be done one after another with no gaps in between is called the Critical Path. One benefit of Critical Path analysis to Balfour†¦show more content†¦Q2) Evaluate the main difficulties faced by Balfour Beatty and other construction companies in their use of CPA to plan their projects. (15 marks) Critical path analysis identifies the most efficient and cost effective way of completing a complex project. The various activities which together will make up the project are identified, and the order of these activities are identified. Then, the duration of each activity is estimated and these factors are then arranged as a network or graph, showing the whole project from start to finish, and showing which tasks can happen at the same time. The sequence of tasks which have to be done one after another with no gaps in between is called the Critical Path. One difficulty of using Critical Path Analysis is that unless critical activities are identified and supervised closely, there’ll be delays to the whole project. Critical path analysis puts pressure on mangers to manage effectively and meet deadlines. If, for example, Balfour Beatty was unable to get hold of a particular piece of equipment when needed, the whole project could be delayed by the amount of time that it takes to get the equipment. This means that there will be many employees being paid with no output and the whole project is delayed with doesn’t usually bode well with the customer. A second difficulty of using CriticalShow MoreRelatedThe Mission Of The Task3249 Words   |  13 Pagesverification and mechanical. Mission of the task expounds that after the regard of the idea and outline construction modelling two prototypes will be building and they will at last be audited in the last plan endorsement. Degree said that the venture is evaluated to be completing in 231 days and the change can be subjected under a few conditions. 2. 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Is Sustainability A Path For Profitability And Competitive...

Ibrahim Alojeel Is Sustainability a path to Profitability and Competitive Advantage for Small Business in America? â€Å"If we each take responsibility in shifting our own behavior, we can trigger the type of change that is necessary to achieve sustainability for our race or this planet. We change our planet, our environment, our humanity every day, every year, every decade, and every millennia†. Yehuda Berg I. Introduction In this era of sustainable development, companies have realized the importance of adopting a corporate social responsibility and contributing their part in the development of environmental sustainability in the community that they are a part of. However, what is interesting to note is that many companies have found the†¦show more content†¦by â€Å"going green† and adopting sustainable practices as an attractive opportunity for them to reduce their costs and increase their profits. For example, a New York-based mass producer of furniture, Human scale, cut back its carbon footprint only to find out that it also helped the company to reduce its electrical, packaging and shipping costs. Similarly, companies like New Belgium and Aspin Skiing Co. have also found that â€Å"environmental conscience wasn t divorced from critical business need†, meaning following their corporate responsibility can actually benefit them in terms of increased revenues (Kramer, 2013). How ever, the situation is not the same for small businesses in America. Small Businesses and Sustainability: Small businesses or SMEs can be defined as those types of businesses where the total number of employees is less than five hundred and such businesses have much fewer resources than large companies (Russell Young, 2013). These businesses are a source of growth for the U.S. economy as they bring innovation and new opportunities for jobs in the market. These businesses represent approximately 99 percent of the US employer firms and contribute greatly towards the creation of new private sector jobs. Thus if these companies agree to adopt sustainable strategies, this will not only benefit them but also the entire American economy (Russell Young, 2013). This makes theShow MoreRelatedResearch on the Indian Software Export Sector1362 Words   |  6 Pagesprospects for the future. To concentrate my study on the topic; I have chose to do the case study of Indian company ‘Infosys’. It was found in 1981 in Bangalore. It is one of the most appreciated and esteemed companies in In dia that provides technology, business consulting, engineering and outsourcing services. Only a minor share of proceeds comes from domestic sales. It is primarily an exporting firm, and one with global reach. 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Enterprise System for Production and Distribution -myassignmenthelp

Questions: 1.What are the key goals IGT wanted to achieve using an ERP system? 2.How should IGT handle change management during ERP implementation? Answers: 1. The primary reason why ICT wanted to adopt the new EPR system was to enhance the efficiency of its operations. This efficiency was to encompass both production activities and information access by its employees in various departments such as finance, sales, and production. Before this integrations, the information was disintegrated accessing it was very exhausting. Therefore, this scattering of information is what prompted the adaptation of EPR. The EPR system contains a set of core business applications entailing finance, production, distribution and human resource all integrated together. According to IGT, this move was undertaken purely for business basis and not to cope with technology. Therefore, the key goals they wanted to achieve with this decision was to have in place a cohesive information technology set-up that would permit their growth. Additionally, just like many other large-scale manufacturers, the wanted a system which would have smooth integration of information. This system enabled the company to monitor all of their departments and enhanced the linking of the main company to its subordinate branches. In summary, the companys primary goal while embracing this new system was to improve efficiency and effectiveness of its various operations. This ranges from production to customers order processing. The pros and cons to customizing the system When adopting a new structure, the management should consider how the system fits the organizations operations. This is the element of complementary; this new system should adequately address the film's requirement. The decision made by IGT to implement SAP displays good coordination and efficient planning among the management because this system had the capabilities of being customized. However, customization has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of customizing the system is that you can set the system to fit into your demands. This eradicates the possibilities of outsourcing or using disintegrated systems. Therefore, when you customize a system, it fits perfectly into your organizations needs. This is what IGT did; they aligned the system to serve their operations. However, there are disadvantages of customizing. First, you must have the technical skills to execute this activity. Furthermore, you must enter all of your firms information and specifics into the sys tem which is not an easy process. IGT had to assemble a team of individuals from its order group and engineering department to overcome this problem. The team was had to customize the system to handle the complex activities of the company. Therefore, successful customizing of a system requires the involvement of people from different sector within a firm. The operation is tedious and time-consuming. However, it is very vital to align the system to adequately address organization needs since it improves the efficiency of operations. 2.According to Reiss (2012, p.3), there are three formal features which describe the nature of change. These features are complexity, omnipresence, and prominence. Therefore, when managing change, the management should be aware of these key features. There are several issues that IGT should handle during the change management process. The most vital thing that the company executives should acknowledge is that managing change in a collaborative activity and requires participation from all the companys stakeholders. This includes even the workers and the customers. Firstly, they should ensure that they train all the employees on this new prospect. This will make their employees be conversant with the new systems requirement and adjust accordingly. Training, in this case, entails how to use the new structure and elaborating on its importance. Customers play a vital role in the way a company handles its operations. Therefore, IGT should enlighten their clients on this new development. Fo r example, the clients should be made aware of the reduction in the number of days for processing rush orders to four weeks from seven. This will enable them to adapt effectively to this new approach. Finally, the management should ensure that they incorporate positive attitude in their workers and clients to improve the acceptability of this new system. Reference List Reiss, M., 2012. Change Management: A Balance and Blended Approach. S.l.:BoD Books on Demand.

Polo Description Essays - Cricket, Fielding, Dismissal, Batting

Polo Description A polo match lasts about one and one-half hours and is divided into six 7 minute periods or chukkers. Since a horse in fast polo can cover two and one-half to three miles per period, he'll be too tired to play a second one right away. After resting for two or three periods, some horses can return to the game. Still, in championship polo, a player will come to the field with at least six horses. The mounts are horses, mostly thoroughbreds, not ponies. The object of the game is to score as many goals as possible. There are four players on a team and each assumes a specific position either offensive or defensive. However, given the enormous size of the playing fields, the momentum of the galloping horses and the ball's unexpected changes of direction, the game is very fluid, and the positions continuously change. There are few set plays in polo, and good anticipation is almost a sixth sense. With thousand pound animals running at speed there is a pre-eminent necessity for a right of way rule. The central concept in the rules of polo is the line of the ball, a right-of-way established by the path of the traveling ball. Like the rules of the road, there are do's and don'ts governing access to this right-of-way and crossing it. Within these limitations, a player can hook an opponent's mallet, push him off the line, bump him with his horse or steal the ball from him. Penalties are awarded as free hits. The more severe, the shorter the distance to the goal. The closer hits are almost certain goals. After every goal is scored, the teams change sides in order to compensate for field and wind conditions. A typical score would be 10-7. Polo games are played on the flat or the handicap. Every registered player is awarded a skill rating from C (-2, the lowest) to 10 (the highest). When a match is played on the handicap basis, the sum total rating of the players on the team is subtracted from that of the opposition. Any difference is then awarded to the lower rated side in goals on the scoreboard. Polo - The history Possibly the oldest team sport, polo's genesis is lost to the eye of history. An Asiatic game, polo was first played on a barren campground by nomadic warriors over two thousand years ago Valuable for training Cavalry, the game was played from Constantinople to Japan by the Middle Ages. Known in the East as the Game of Kings, Tamer lane's polo grounds can still be seen in Samarkand. British tea planters in India witnessed the game in the early 1800's but it was not until the 1850's that the British Cavalry drew up the earliest rules and by the 1869's the game was well established in England. James Gordon Bennett, a noted American publisher, balloonist, and adventurer, was captivated by the sport and brought it to New York in 1876 where it caught on immediately. Within ten years, there were major clubs all over the east, including Newport and Long Island. Over the next 50 years, polo achieved extraordinary popularity in the United States. By the 1930's polo was in the midst of a Golden Age it was an Olympic sport and crowds in excess of 30,000 regularly attended international matches at Meadow Brook Polo Club on Long Island. The galloping game produced athletes who would doubtless have achieved greatness in any sport. Cecil Smith, the Texas cowboy who held a perfect 10-goal rating for a still-record 25 years. Devereux Melbourne, instrumental in formulating modern styles of play and Tommy Hitch cock, war hero and the best of the best in international competition for two decades. In the past 20 years, polo in the United States has undergone an unprecedented and remarkable expansion. At present, there are more than 225 clubs with over 3,000 players. Cricket - The rules There are 2 teams which have 11 players each. They play on a large circular or oval field batting area pitch at the center. At each end of the pitch is a 28inch-high wicket consisting of three vertical poles called stumps and two small horizontal sticks called bales. Wicket is an old word for a small gate. One team bats and the other team fields or bowls. All eleven members of the fielding team are on the field at the same time in various positions. Two members of the batting team are on the field at a time,