...Defined The CPM approach Definitions Class Exercise Background & History Developed in the 1950s by the US Navy Originally, the critical path method considered only logical dependencies between terminal elements Since then, it has been expanded to allow for the inclusion of resources related to each activity, through processes called activity-based resource assignments and resource leveling. Critical Path Method for the construction industry Non-computer approach John Fondahl John Fondahl Stanford CE Professor Emeritus – 35 years Passed away last September 13th, 2008 US Marine Corps Sergeant in Iwo Jima His father was USMC LtCol Co-founder of the CEM program 1961 Paper for the US Navy – "Non-Computer Approach to the Critical Path Method for the Construction Industry" What is CPM? The Critical Path Method or Critical Path Analysis, is a mathematically based algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities It is an important tool for effective project management Commonly used with all forms of projects, including construction, software development, research projects, product development, engineering, and plant maintenance, among others Any project with interdependent activities can apply this method of scheduling What is CPM? The essential technique for using CPM is to construct a model of the project that includes the following: A list of all activities required to complete the project (also known as Work Breakdown Structure) The time (duration) that each...
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...1 A Study of the Parameters Influencing the Capacity Credit of WECS- A Simplified Approach Sushil Patil, Student Member, IEEE, and R. Ramakumar, Life Fellow, IEEE Abstract--In recent years, penetration of wind generated electricity into power grids has been increasing significantly. During the last few decades, wind energy has doubled in capacity every three years. Because of the intermittent characteristics of wind power, it is usually difficult to determine an acceptable penetration level to maintain specific reliability requirements. The need for better capacity credit assessment for wind electric conversion systems is clear. Considerable work has been done in the past to estimate the capacity credit of WECS (wind electric conversion system) and several approaches have been proposed. This paper examines the influence of different parameters on the Capacity Credit using a simplified approach based on an effective forced outage rate (FOR) for WECS. The parameters considered are penetration level, amount and variability of load, generation configuration and wind regimes. Index Terms— Capacity Credit, Wind Electric Conversion System, Annual Load Duration Curve, Wind Penetration, Generation Configuration Electric power systems must have sufficient reserves so that generation is always adequate to meet varying customer demand. Because electricity demand cannot be known in advance with certainty, and also because generators, transmission lines and distribution systems can experience...
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...illustrates how Crystal Ball can facilitate this analysis and be used to help better understand the implications of schedule uncertainty. Cases and Readings A case appropriate to the subject of this chapter is: Harvard: 9-613-021 Arrow Diagramming Exercise This 3-page case describes the marketing campaign for a newly developed industrial hardware item. Over two-dozen activities are noted and described. The case asks for the network diagram and critical path. A reading appropriate to the subject of this chapter is: L.P. Leach. Critical Chain Project Management Improves Project Performance (Project Management Journal, June 1999, p. 39-51). This article explains the procedures developed by E. Goldratt in his Critical Chain approach to project management. Includes a discussion of project and feeder buffers. Projects using the critical chain often report significantly improved schedule, cost, and scope performance. Answers to Review Questions 1. By definition, critical tasks are those tasks that if delayed will delay the completion of the entire project. Therefore, these tasks should be managed more closely than non-critical tasks. (In cases where the activity times are not known with certainty, the tasks assumed to be critical at the beginning of the project may turn out not to be so critical. Therefore, when task times are uncertain, all tasks that may reasonably delay project completion must be carefully...
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...must be completed before Task B does. • Start to Start –- Task A must start before Task B can start. • Start to finish –- Task A is started so that Task B can finish. - Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) ADM only uses finish to start relationships. - Schedule network templates Activity 1, Question 3 Comment: Incorrect. Time Management estimating techniques are: • Analogous Using the actual duration of a previous (similar schedule activity) as the basis for estimating the duration of a future schedule activity. It is used when there is a limited amount of detailed information about the project to estimate project duration. • Parametric Estimating the basis for activity durations and can be quantitatively determined by multiplying the quantity of work to be performed by the productivity rate. By considering the amount of risk in the original estimate, the accuracy of the activity duration estimate can be improved. • Three-point estimates (An activity duration estimate can be constructed by using an average of the three estimated durations) - Most likely: the duration of the schedule activity, given the...
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...Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 002, South Africa. 2 Formerly Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 002, South Africa. ABSTRACT CCPM has attempted to account for certain human behaviour patterns during project planning and execution which other time management techniques neglect. CCPM gives this human behaviour as a major influence on amount of contingency provided in activity duration estimates. The human behaviours however are assumptions and justification of CCPM relies heavily on these assumptions. The problem is that we do not know if the human behaviours assumed are an important influence on contingencies provided in activity duration estimates during project planning. The main objective of this research is therefore to determine, using empirical data how stakeholders in the construction industry rate the influence of human behaviour on contingency provided in activity duration estimates. Other factors that influence contingency provided have been identified and their relative importance investigated. 1.1 Introduction As competition increases, organisations survival will be determined by their ability to make profits and grow. In their effort to survive (make profits and grow), organisations are finding themselves saddled with multiple, concurrent projects. According to Turner (in Steyn 2002:77 it is estimated that up to 90% by value of all projects...
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...distribution of project completion times to help better understand the implications associated with schedule uncertainty is also discussed. Cases and Readings A case appropriate to the subject of this chapter is: Harvard: 9-613-021 Arrow Diagramming Exercise This 3-page case describes the marketing campaign for a newly developed industrial hardware item. Over two-dozen activities are noted and described. The case asks for the network diagram and critical path. A reading appropriate to the subject of this chapter is: L.P. Leach. Critical Chain Project Management Improves Project Performance (Project Management Journal, June 1999, p. 39-51). This article explains the procedures developed by E. Goldratt in his Critical Chain approach to project management. Includes a discussion of project and feeder buffers. Projects using the critical chain often report significantly improved schedule, cost, and scope performance. Answers to Review Questions 1. How would a PM managecritical path tasks differently than noncritical tasks? By definition, critical tasks are those tasks that if delayed will delay the completion of the entire project. Therefore, these tasks should be managed more closely than non-critical tasks. In cases where the activity times are not known with certainty, the tasks assumed to be critical at the beginning of the project may turn out not to be so critical. Therefore, when tasks times are uncertain, all tasks that may...
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...acquiring, developing and deploying employees to create and sustain the human resource-based competitive advantage. The course aims to help students develop this perspective as well as expose them to various functional and strategic human resource policies and practices. Course Duration and Pedagogy: It is a 1.5 credit course and will be conducted during the pre- midterm period (5 weeks; 13-12-10 to 14-1-11). The course would involve a mix of lectures, exercises, and live case discussions. Instructors and Course Coordinator: The course is divided into two parts, A and B. While Part A will be a Strategic Human Resource Management approach to basic HRM issues, Part B will be an Economics of Human Resources approach to those very issues. Course Reading Materials: Reference books: 1. Human Resource Management- Mirza Saiyadain, Tata McGrawhill education pvt ltd., New Delhi-2004. 2. Personnel/ Human Resource Management- David A. DeCenzo & Stephen P Robbins- Prentice Hall of India, Private Ltd. New Delhi, 3rd edition, 2007 In addition, a bound reading materials package will also be handed out as will be the class lecture slides. Evaluation: There will be one closed-book end-term exam of 2 hours duration in two parts during the mid-term week(17-1-11 to 21-1- 11) Lecture Topics, tentative dates, duration, instructor and text reference Part A Topic Date Duration Human Resource Management: A system Perspective Dec 13 & 14 One lecture Reference:...
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...including photocopying machines, without the written permission of the Institution. TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPICS SECTION A: PREFACE PAGE NO. 4-11 1. Welcome 4 2. Title of Modules 4 3. Purpose of Module 5 2 4. Learning Outcomes 5 5. Method of Study 5 6. Lectures and Tutorials 5 7. Notices 5 8. Prescribed & Recommended Material 5 9. Assessment & Key Concepts in Assignments and Examinations 6 10. Specimen Assignment Cover Sheet 9 11. Work Readiness Programme 10 12. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) 10 SECTION B: IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT (2ND SEMESTER) 12-101 1. Introduction to Software Project Management 15-20 2. Traditional Project Management 21-30 3. Project Scope 31-37 4. Work Breakdown Structure 38-45 5. Estimating Duration 46-53 6. Project Network Diagram 54-66 7. Resource Availability 67-72 8. Joint Project Planning 73-76 9. The Project Team 77-84 10. Resource Availability 85-91 11. Critical Chain Project Management 92-98 12. Project Closure 99-101 SECTION A: PREFACE 1. WELCOME Welcome to the Faculty of...
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...RISK MANAGEMENT DEFINITION OF RISK: 1. Risk in finance is defined in terms of the variability of actual returns on an investment, around an expected return, even when those returns represent positive outcomes. 2. The decisions on how much risk to take and what type of risks to take are critical to the success of the business. 3. The essence of good management is making the right choices when it comes to dealing with different risks. 4. In banking, the risk is the possibility that a borrower or counterparty will fail to meet its obligations in accordance with the agreed terms, both in terms of time and quantity. 5. Risk does not come alone – the default of one firm may cripple affiliated firms such as suppliers, customers and banks. RISK MANAGEMENT: 1. Risk Management is a planned method of dealing with the potential loss or damage. It is an ongoing process of risk appraisal through various methods and tools. 2. Risk Management involves not only to protect oneself against some risks but also to decide which risks are to be exploited and how to exploit them. 3. Risk Management covers credit decision making, performance assessment, pricing, capital computation, provisioning etc. 4. Risk Management covers the following: a. It assesses what could go wrong b. It determines which risks are important to be dealt with c. It implements strategies to deal with those risks. 5. Risk Management is not – ...
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...RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LYRICS AND MELODY IN POPULAR MUSIC Eric Nichols1, Dan Morris2, Sumit Basu2, and Christopher Raphael1 1 2 Indiana University Microsoft Research Bloomington, IN, USA Redmond, WA, USA {epnichol,craphael}@indiana.edu ABSTRACT Composers of popular music weave lyrics, melody, and instrumentation together to create a consistent and compelling emotional scene. The relationships among these elements are critical to musical communication, and understanding the statistics behind these relationships can contribute to numerous problems in music information retrieval and creativity support. In this paper, we present the results of an observational study on a large symbolic database of popular music; our results identify several patterns in the relationship between lyrics and melody. 1. INTRODUCTION Popular music uses several streams of information to create an emotionally engaging experience for the listener. Lyrics, melody, chords, dynamics, instrumentation, and other aspects of a song operate in tandem to produce a compelling musical percept. Extensive previous work has explored each of these elements in isolation, and certain relationships among these components – for example, the relationship between melody and chords – have also been addressed in the research community. However, despite their salience and central role in music cognition, lyrics have not been addressed by computational analysis to the same degree as other aspects of popular music. In this study, we...
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...Information Systems Project Management Unit 3 Assignment 1 Kaplan University IT511 Professor Chad McAllister February 16, 2013 1. Explain project scope management in terms of its processes. Scope management is the process of defining and controlling the work that is or is not included in the project (Schwalbe, 2012). This outlines to the team and stakeholders the product that will be produced and the processes that will be used to produce that product. The project scope management consists of five processes: * Collect requirements- This process defines the specific details of a product’s functions and features. Defining the processes for creating the products is defined in this process and results in the following outputs: stakeholders’ requirements documentation, a requirements management plan and a requirements traceability matrix. * Define the scope- The project charter, requirements documents and organization process assets are the inputs that are needed to determine the project scope. This process has two outputs the project scope statement and updates to the project documents. * Create the WBS- This process involves decomposing the major deliverable on the project into manageable elements resulting in the WBS and dictionary, a scope baseline and updates to the project documents. * Verify the scope- This is the formalized acceptance of the scope statement by the stakeholders, customers and the project sponsor. If the scope statement is...
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...relatively humble origins, public administrators and managers had to seek out and employ additional methods to meet citizen demands. As a result, in recent decades contracting out services to nongovernmental organizations has emerged as the primary alternative to direct provision by public employees and become an indispensible tool of governance. Moreover, the private, for-profit and nonprofit sectors have been progressively more active in public service delivery to enable governments to meet the changing demands of their constituencies while facing the external challenges imposed by politicians, federal regulations, and reform movements (Milward and Provan 2000). In fact, the term governance is often used to evoke a broad, multi-dimensional approach to service delivery, which stretches beyond the “lonely” public organization (Pierre and Peters 2000; Lynn et al. 2001). Indeed, governmental and nongovernmental organizations often develop mutual dependency in a service delivery or policy domain, which has been conceptualized in various ways including public sector networks, alliances, partnerships, and collaborative structures. Not surprisingly, the increased reliance on contracting out has elicited a great deal of attention in the public administration literature. In general, there are three primary streams of contracting research in this literature. In the first stream, researchers typically focus on the potential cost savings and the relative quality of the services provided by private...
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...Comparing Music and Literacy Approaches for Late Talker Language Acquisition Chelsea Clock Bell, MA, CFY-SLP Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI *Research Completed at University of Northern Iowa Purpose To investigate the effects of a music-based speech and language therapy approach on late talking toddlers and compare with a literacy-based speech and language therapy approach. Research Questions Do sung lyrics in speech and language intervention promote growth of expressive vocabulary in toddlers who are late talking? Does literacy-based speech and language intervention promote growth of expressive vocabulary in toddlers who are late talking? Does a speech and language therapy approach integrating sung lyrics promote a greater increase in growth of expressive vocabulary in toddlers who are late talking compared to a literacy-based speech and language therapy approach? Literature Review Identification of late talkers is difficult due to: large variability in the rate of development, the fact that many late talkers outgrow their delay (Rescorla et al., 1997; Thal et al., 1997), & lack of efficient standardized methods (Fenson et al., 1993; Rescorla, 1989; Robertson & Ellis Weismer, 1999; Tyler & Tolbert, 2002). Previous research attempts to pinpoint predictor variables (Rescorla et al., 1997; Robertson & Ellis Weismer, 1999; Williams & Elbert, 2003), however inconsistent results. Limited literature regarding music intervention for late talkers; however, it...
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...Martin Seyffert Research Associate Equity Technology Team Merrill Lynch Investment Managers 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Phone: 609-282-6632 Fax: 609-282-6597 UNDERLYING ASSUMPTION We specialize in technology equity portfolio management. As a subset of this work, we also examine the timing and relationships within software companies of the following variables: 1) R&D cycle; 2) product deployment period; 3) sales cycle; 4) contract duration; and 5) "disposable life" of software. Our assumptions may, or may not, be valid. Our assumptions are as follows: The technology industry is in a state of flux with the duration of the above listed items completely mismatched within companies. The mismatched time horizons are causing more volatile stocks, stemming in part from, less stable financial performance for software companies. We believe that faster development cycles and Internet-based distribution channels have accelerated parts of the business, while R&D cycles and contract duration have not yet been adjusted - or even recognized as an issue within many companies. Below are the specific areas we would like to have addressed in an MBA research project: POTENTIAL RESEARCH TOPIC #1 Does rapid implementation and niche software solutions lead to accelerated market penetration and faster "time to peak" revenue performance for today's young software companies? HERE IS OUR PREMISE It is our contention that investors are constantly "looking...
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...Measurement of poverty By Name: Course code+ Name: Professor: Institution: City and State: Date: Measurement of Poverty Over the past few decades, there have been dramatic socio-economic and environmental changes around the globe. This has affected phenomena such as growth of the population, rapid urban development, and increased levels of poverty (D’Ambrosio, Deutsch and Silber, 2011). It has also influenced the changes in climatic conditions, increased natural calamities which impact the socio-economic development in different parts of the world. As a result, more people have been exposed to the negative effects of the occurrence of different hazards (D’Ambrosio, Deutsch and Silber, 2011). This leaves the affected populations suffering in poverty, thus increasing their numbers. Increased levels of poverty led to the formation of policies by the United Nations to combat the rising cases of poverty with the aim of reducing the number of people living in poverty by halve before the year 2015. Formulation of the millennium development goals which features the quantitative objectives and indicators set to measure the progress towards the war on poverty eradication took course. To establish the level of poverty in the society, therefore, measurement should be performed severally using a number of available tools (Davidson and Duclos, 2000). This will aid in determination of the extent of its effects throughout the world. This paper aims at discovering the major...
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