...Beyond Benchmarks: Estimate Your Application Maintenance Costs Using Internal Data by Phil Murphy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Applications professionals struggle to explain the cost of their applications' ongoing operations and maintenance to their business counterparts, who commonly perceive the costs as excessive. The business perceives these costs as excessive in part because of the way applications professionals deliver the information — as a large and indecipherable lump-sum budget item. Applications professionals who want to avoid blind mandates to cut costs by "X" percent must break out application costs in a way that business people can analyze and digest. When they do, they give the business an opportunity to make smart, surgical reductions to costs and shift underutilized resources to the work that is most important to the organization, increasing overall agility and innovation while reducing wasteful spending habits. IN SEARCH OF "INDUSTRY STANDARD" BENCHMARK COMPARISON FIGURES When business and IT executives push back on the costs of applications, they raise a common set of questions such as, "Are we spending too much?"; "What do other companies spend for the same services?"; and "How do we measure up against 'industry standard' measures and benchmarks?" The erroneous assumption is that "industry standards" exist for virtually every category of IT spending. The term "industry standard" implies that an industry such as manufacturing or insurance agrees to use a certain...
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...In order to move the corporation towards its strategic goal of “building a profitable franchise by providing relationship banking combined with a high level of service to its customers”, Citi Bank California has recently incorporated a variety of non-financial measurements into its performance evaluation system. Specifically, the problem needs to be addressed in the case is whether James should receive a “below par” or “par” overall rating for the fiscal year 1996 as a result of his “below par” rating in customer satisfaction. My recommendation is to give James a “par” rating, and supporting evidences are given as below. First of all, the newly adopted performance scorecard consists of six different types of measures including financial measures, strategy implementation, customer satisfaction, control measures, people, and standards. Among these measurements, the first four are objective measurements determined by related objective data collected during the year, and the latter two are subjective measurements which are substantially depending on the personal opinions of Lisa, direct supervisor of branch managers including James. According to the four quarterly performance evaluation over the year, James has done an excellent job in five out of six measurements other than customer satisfaction. Therefore, after taking the importance of improving customer satisfaction into account, an overall rating of “par” would be objective enough to highlight the corporation’s strategic goal...
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...INTRODUCTION The recent moves of the government to gradually deregulate the Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants(POL) sector in India as part of the agenda of ‘neo-liberal reform’ has generated discontent among the people. In the run-up to complete deregulation, there are instances of increase in the domestic price of POL products that are proportionately more than the rise in their international prices. In the most recent instance (of 13th September, 2012), the diesel price was raised by Rs.5 per litre at one go, even without any rise in international prices. These steps are being taken to eliminate the government subsidy on these products in a step-by-step manner. Deregulation of the POL sector is bound to eliminate the direct or indirect subsidies completely. And reduction in subsidy, according to the government, is the need of the hour in order to reduce the fiscal deficit as proportion to GDP. Deregulation is also necessitated in the current neo-liberal environment because if the government keeps subsidizing the public sector owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum, then the private companies like Reliance and others would not get a ‘level playing field’ and they would not be able to compete in price. In this way, the present subsidy regime indirectly restricts the private players from entering the oil marketing sector. Hence, if the priorities of the government in power are the reduction of subsidies and ensuring...
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...Causes of Erratic Oil Price Fluctuations on a Global Scale Crude oil is a significant commodity that has a far-reaching global economic impact. This is mostly because it is used as a primary raw product for extracting various forms of energy, such as diesel, petrol, and kerosene. The products extracted from crude oil are used in the various facets of human life. For instance, diesel is a crucial component used in manufacturing facilities (Mankiw 115-133). There are constant fluctuations in oil prices, making the price of a barrel of crude oil vary on a minute-by-minute scale. Fluctuations in fuel prices can be a primary factor in the cost of transportation and manufacturing to name but a few. Therefore, fluctuations in the price of crude oil have constant effects on the global economy. These effects have made many investors and citizens alike to be wary of any fluctuations (Butcher 45-77). Oil price fluctuations are bad for the global economy. High crude oil prices contribute to a higher cost of living, thereby affecting national and global economic performance. The question then begs; what is the cause of the erratic crude oil price fluctuations in global scale? There are various reasons as to why there are frequent fluctuations in crude oil prices. In particular, just crude oil production itself can cause major fluctuations in crude oil prices. For instance, reduced production would create shortage of crude oil in the market, and following microeconomics principles;...
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...Has Asian Industrialization had a Negative Impact on the Global Marketplace? An Investigation into the Effect of Industrialization of Select Markets and their Impact on the Global Marketplace. Has Asian Industrialization had a Negative Impact on the Global Marketplace? The global marketplace has seen a large shift in buying power in recent years. Former world leaders have seen their influence on the marketplace dwindle as industrialization begins to take hold in countries previously not seen as traditional powerhouses. Worldwide, prices have risen at a rate never before seen. With a burgeoning population of middle class workers, Asia as a whole, and China and India specifically, have fueled this pricing explosion. Research shows that the development of these former 3rd world countries is responsible for a large increase in global pricing due to the high demand for steel, oil, and agricultural products. One major industry which has been affected by this shift is the steel industry. The demand for steel along with the decreased supply has caused prices to increase by 25 to 45 percent in the US market. (Van Der Schans, 2007). Several factors have coincided to deal a damaging blow to the US steel market. Firstly, China and India have become major players in the steel industry, accounting for the consumption of over 25 percent of the worldwide steel supply. Cooney found that, “China has become both the world’s largest steelmaker and steel consumer.” (2006). China’s...
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...Tracee Finley Business Economics GM 545 Spring Semester 2012 Tfinley73@yahoo.com Everyone’s Gasoline Problem Since September 2010, average monthly gas prices have risen 45 cents to $3.21 (February month-to-date), an increase of 16.4%. But during the past four years, there have been several periods where gas prices increased by even more substantial amounts. In 2008, gas prices rose 94 cents — or 33.4% — to $4.11 between February 2008 and June 2008. Gas prices also increased 63 cents from February to May 2006, 86 cents from February to May 2007, and 94 cents from December 2008 to June 2009. (http://www.edmunds.com/about/press/current-gas-price-hikes-dont-measure-up-to-recent-history-says-edmundscom.html). Prices fluctuate at the pump because of problems in the Middle East, natural disasters and government regulation. Crude oil also plays an important role in gas prices. Crude oil is a natural substance found underground that is used to produce fuel for cars, trucks, airplanes, boats and trains. As of February 2012, crude oil prices made up 72% of the price of gasoline. (http://useconomy.about.com). For every $1 increase in the price of a barrel of crude oil, U.S. consumers are likely to pay 2-1/2 more cents for a gallon of gasoline. The prices that we pay at the pump are determined by supply and demand. For example, if demand rises and supply falls, prices increase, and just the opposite when supply increases and demand decreases, prices will decrease. Being an...
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...CONFIDENTIAL Employee Performance Evaluation Employee's Name _______________________________________Title __________________ Office/Dept. _________________________Date of Evaluation __________________________ PERFORMANCE DEFINITIONS *3 2 1 STEP I COMMENDABLE ACCEPTABLE MARGINAL Performs beyond specified requirements within job description Meets the specified requirements of job description Corrective action and/or release from job may be required EVALUATE THE ELEMENTS OF PERFORMANCE. Evaluate all factors indicated below by checking the appropriate space and commenting where applicable. *3 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 2 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 1 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ QUALITY - Performs work thoroughly effectively accurately QUANTITY - Completes the necessary amount of work Is able to prioritize tasks KNOWLEDGE - Is capable in handling all phases and details within job specifications HUMAN RELATIONS - Is willing to work with others Is able to work with others COMMUNICATION SKILLS - Effectively presents written ideas and information to others JUDGEMENT - Is able to make decisions based on sound reasoning JOB DEPENDABILITY - Is honest and reliable in carrying out instructions _____ Observes Personnel Policies _____ Complies with established...
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...Discuss the trends in the U.S. airline industry and how these trends might impact a company’s strategy Airline industry is a clearly structured industry. Trends in the U.S airline industry have an impact the strategies of the airlines especially the Jet Blue airline. U.S airline industry trends including increased crude oil prices, new technology advancement and the impact on post 911 aviation securities. Technologies place an important role in the airline industry today. Technology helps to develop great convenience offer to the customers. Internet as a way to book flights, check in, and check flight status. After the terrorist attack of the 911-airline industry have security systems protecting for the passengers. There are some main changes in the airline industry after attack of 911 such as baggage screening and passenger screening. After 911 federal government increased the air passenger safety. Screening procedures for passengers and their baggage including requiring passengers to remove their shoes and limiting carrying fluids on to the plane. Finally crude oil prices impact a company strategies in the airline industry. Crude oil prices increased dramatically and caused airlines to struggle. When the crude oil price increase they began to increase passenger fees for heavy bags, snacks and even blankets and pillows. Discuss Jet Blue’s strategic intent Discuss Jet Blue’s financial objectives and whether or not the company has been successful in achieving...
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...Dear sir/madam, I am submitting for your consideration this thorough analysis to support your plan to use FRACKING technology in a number of oil and gas wells on a private land in Adams County, Colorado. Your approval is required so that we can move to the next step of the project’s lifecycle. PRELIMINARY ACTIONS Seismic investigation is the first step that should be taken prior to a formal analysis of business opportunities. It is vital to ensure that expected revenue will justify cost of operation and result in reasonable profits expected by our customers. Communications Plan is in the pipeline to assure stakeholders that the fracking activity will not connect to the aquifer, since the oil and gas deposits are separated from any useable aquifers by nearly 5,000’ of impermeable shale, and that the cement wall to be used is solidly sealed. There are two resources that will be produced once project reaches its operational phase - OIL and NATURAL GAS. OIL PRODUCTION To minimize transportation costs it would be appropriate to use refining capacity in other US states where production presently exists. The refineries are configured to deal with specific types of crude. Therefore, it is important to examine compatibility of the oil to be produced from this project with target refineries. For example, Commerce City Refinery located in Commerce City, Colorado is going to be our primary target due to low transportation costs of oil to the refinery, as Colorado State is a promising market...
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...Chapter 8 Job Evaluation 1. What is meant by internal equity? What is the relationship between internal equity and job evaluation? “Internal equity is a situation that results when people feel that performance fairly determines the pay for each individual with a certain job or that relative difficulty results in appropriate differences in pay rates between jobs. Worker dissatisfaction may arise when internal equity principles aren't met.Internal equity studies analyze the nature of a particular position including: 1.Skill2.Effort and 3.Responsibility” (web). 2. What is a benchmark or key job? Why are these kinds of jobs so critical in various job evaluation methodologies? Bench mark jobs are highly visible jobs that common to a variety of organizations. These jobs are critical in various job evaluation methodologies because they can be used for comparison with other jobs that are above, below, or comparable in complexity and difficulty for pay purposes. This is usually a job that is clearly defined and shows the differences between departments. Working in retail I observed different departments such as clothing and appliances. Working in the education filed I observed different “departments” such as special education, speech, dual language as well as mainstream classes. (pg174). 3. What are some of the strengths and limitations in the use of ranking for job evaluation purposes? Some of the strengths of job ranking is when evaluators are intimately...
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...Abstract To study the Citibank Performance evaluation case and evaluate James McGaran’s performance assuming the role of Lisa Johnson. Describe the approach taken in performance feedback session, sequence of conversation and supporting references to backup your evaluation. To Review the Citibank evaluation system as a consultant and recommend possible procedural and processes changes to improve its performance evaluation system. Citibank performance evaluation system Until 1994 Citibank performance evaluation system was based on the quantitative measure (financial measures) not both quantitative and qualitative measures (MBA6220, 2011) due to the type of services offered by the bank. With the change in Citibank’s strategy in California it was essential to measure both the qualitative and quantitative measures and a new performance evaluation system was tested in 1995 to be introduced from the first quarter of 1996. The performance scorecard of the system was built around six different types of measures: financial, strategy implementation, customer satisfaction, control, people and standards (Davila, A & Simons, R, 1997). Financial measures were computed from the regular accounting system, strategy implementation measures could be tracked based on the target customer segment relevant to branch strategy and control measures were measured based on internal auditor’s evaluation on the branch’s internal control processes. People and standards – the non-quantifiable ratings were...
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...An Anatomy of the Crude Oil Pricing System Bassam Fattouh1 WPM 40 January 2011 1 Bassam Fattouh is the Director of the Oil and Middle East Programme at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies; Research Fellow at St Antony‟s College, Oxford University; and Professor of Finance and Management at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. I would like to express my gratitude to Argus for supplying me with much of the data that underlie this research. I would also like to thank Platts for providing me with the data for Figure 21 and CME Group for providing me with the data for Figure 13. The paper has benefited greatly from the helpful comments of Robert Mabro and Christopher Allsopp and many commentators who preferred to remain anonymous but whose comments provided a major source of information for this study. The paper also benefited from the comments received in seminars at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK, ENI, Milan and Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Oxford. Finally, I would like to thank those individuals who have given their time for face-to-face and/or phone interviews and have been willing to share their views and expertise. Any remaining errors are my own. 1 The contents of this paper are the authors’ sole responsibility. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies or any of its members. Copyright © 2011 Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (Registered Charity, No. 286084) ...
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...BADM 103-3977 Business Abstract #2 With the steady rise of gas prices across the country, people are buying less fuel for their use. Compared to last year’s statistics, Americans have bought less gas for the past five weeks. December was the last time there was such a low demand for fuel, but this was because the snowstorms caused Americans to cut back. Before this current decline, the demand for fuel was on the rise for two months. Analysts expected the trend to continue due to the economic recovery improving, but according to a March survey by the Oil Price Information Service, sales have fallen at 70 percent of the nation’s major gas station chains. Even as gas prices continue to rise, people are still having issues with saving. This is because the cost of gas is going up faster than people can cut back on spending. Compared to last year’s prices, gas is 32 percent more expensive than it was in April 2010. The price of fuel has risen due to unrest in North Africa and the Middle East causing an increase in global demand for crude oil which squeezed the supply. Majority of the analysts forecast a high of $4 a gallon but some foresee $5. Drivers across the country are hunting for cheaper gas, some using the help of a mobile phone app. Other drivers are starting to consider the mass transportation systems within their area. There are also owners of SUVs trading them in for more fuel efficient models. This is evident with sales of the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra...
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...PROJ 410 Week 6 DQ 2 To Buy This material Click below link http://www.uoptutors.com/proj-410/proj-410-week-6-dq-2 There are several ways to benchmark. The two most common benchmarking tools are performance benchmarking and best-practice benchmarking. Consider a nationwide bank that has contracted with a seller to assess its current staffing and facility locations. The goal of the contract is for the seller to produce a strategic plan that creates cost efficiencies for the bank by recommending (and implementing) areas to consolidate among staff and facilities. (One recommendation may be to close down a bank branch that is located within three miles of another bank branch.) This is a long-term contract stretched out over five years. If you were the project manager in the bank, to what benchmarks would you compare your seller? Are they performance benchmarks or best-practice benchmarks? Benchmarking is a term that has often been used to represent “the best of the class” performance. Your text implies a slightly less “perfectionist” performance threshold, whereby you assess the performance measures for other similar vendors or services relative to your BPO services, and use these samplings to define performance measures for your project/contract. Which of these two inferences do you feel is more appropriate for supporting the development of performance measures? State your arguments in support of your selection. Is it realistic to use a “perfectionistic” metric for benchmarking...
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...Oil prices to average $33/barrel on low demand: Moody's Business Standard, 22 January 2016 Increased supply of oil from Iran and concerns over demand growth in countries like India and China will drive oil prices yet lower in 2016 as output vastly exceeds consumption, Moody's Investors Service has said. The rating agency estimates crude oil prices to average $33 per barrel in 2016, $10 lower than its previous estimate and expects rates rising by $5 a barrel each in 2017 and 2018. "We are reducing our oil price estimates in light of continuing oversupply in the global oil markets, with Iran poised to add more than 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) to global supply while demand growth remains tepid," Moody's said in a statement. Stating that it has adjusted its view downward for the likely range of prices, the rating agency said it saw "a substantial risk that prices may recover much more slowly over the medium term than many companies expect, as well as a risk that prices might fall further." "Even under a scenario with a modest recovery from current prices, producing companies and the drillers and service companies that support them will experience rising financial stress with much lower cash flows," it said. Oil cartel OPEC and many non-OPEC oil producers continue to produce without restraint as they battle for market share, and the addition of Iranian oil to the market in 2016 will offset or exceed a roughly 500,000 bpd decline in the US production, it added. ...
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