Project Management System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Project Management System - Essay Example The advent of Information system and its importance for the business organisation has forced the organisations to implement different Information system projects. Many of the projects became a failure due to lack of proper skills in order to undertake these projects successfully. On the other hand the companies which initiated and successfully implemented these projects enjoyed the hyper growth. In order to make these projects different tools and techniques were introduced by the management gurus in order to increase the success rate of these projects. The identification and listing of stakeholders is very important and the initial step in an Is project. The list of the stakeholders should include all the people who have the power to effect the system. The second category of stakeholders includes the people whose position and power will be affected by the project. The third and most important category is the users of the project. It is important to recognise the actual stakeholders of the project. The representatives of these stakeholders should be included in all the discussions related to the Scantel project in order to sketch the clear vision and necessities of project. After the identification process it is important to determine the problem statement. The entire stakeholder should reach an agreement on the definition of problem in order to design a project to fit the problem size for all the stakeholders. 2. Identify and List Actors The perceptions of the stakeholders regarding the Scantel

American Government And Politics Today Research Paper

American Government And Politics Today - Research Paper Example The country is subdivided into small regions such as states, counties or provinces, and the regions are organized into local governments that can make decisions on certain matters (Cropf, 2008). Most countries in the world use the unitary system of government (Ferguson, 2006). Presently the United uses the federal system of government. It is divided into states, and the different states are governed by local governments that do not report to the central government on most matters. The unitary system has its advantages and disadvantages. 2. During emergencies such as war or catastrophes such as the earthquake, the government can respond quickly in a unitary state as compared to a federal state. The reason is that, in a unitary state, the decision-making process is short. In very big countries and countries with a large racial diversity, it is difficult to rule with the unitary system of government. The powers are centralized in the central government, and it is not easy to govern the rural areas far away from the political capital. For example, whenever there is a conflict between communities, it is difficult for a unitary state to handle it. The differences in ethnicity, religion, and culture can best be handled by federal states (Bardes, Shelley & Schmidt, 2014). In unitary states, more attention is given to the development in the urban areas, and less attention is given to the rural areas. This creates a form of monopoly in the urban dwellers that further impede the development of the rural dwellers. In a unitary state, power is centered in the central government. The central government, therefore, makes decisions unchecked. In the case of any wrong decisions, the government gets away with it. I such a situation, the people bear the consequences. This is a likely scenario in the USA in case the powers of the central government are increased (Bardes et al., 2014).

Family Conditions And Child Treatment Research Paper

Family Conditions And Child Treatment - Research Paper Example Other than parental monitoring, there are also several other aspects of family functioning that influence the behaviour and thinking of the child and they are family relation characteristics like beliefs, cohesion and organisational structure. Studies have shown that low emotional warmth, lack of proper organisational structure, low beliefs and low cohesion levels are associated with delinquent behaviour (Gorman-Smith, p.170). More often than not, juvenile delinquents are individuals who come from broken home background (Siegel, p.74). These children either reside in single-parent households or in any other household in which their biological parents are not there. Intact family may be defined as a nuclear family arrangement in which both biological parents reside in the household with their biological children (Kierkus & Baer, 2002; cited in Murray, p.88). Two-parent arrangement in which a step parent is present, single-parent arrangements, extended family member arrangements and fo ster family arrangements do not fall under intact family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Association between broken homes and juvenile delinquency was studied as early as 1932 by Shaw and McKay (cited in Murray, p.88). These researchers reviewed literature pertaining to type of homes and delinquents and compared delinquents from intact homes and disrupted homes. In their review they opined that most of the studies pertaining to these had several limitations and that several other factors other than intactness of homes influenced development of juvenile behaviour.... Intact family may be defined as a nuclear family arrangement in which both biological parents reside in the household with their biological children (Kierkus & Baer, 2002; cited in Murray, p.88). Two-parent arrangement in which a step parent is present, single-parent arrangements, extended family member arrangements and foster family arrangements do not fall under intact family. Association between broken homes and juvenile delinquency was studied as early as 1932 by Shaw and McKay (cited in Murray, p.88). These researchers reviewed literature pertaining to type of homes and delinquents and compared delinquents from intact homes and disrupted homes. In their review they opined that most of the studies pertaining to these had several limitations and that several other factors other than intactness of homes influenced development of juvenile behaviour. Research from that period has questioned the influence of family intactness on development of juvenile delinquency. According to a rece nt study by Demuth and Brown (2000, cited in Murray, p.88), though broken homes are strongly associated with juvenile delinquency, the family arrangement are not just the broken home issue. This is because; there is enough evidence to suggest that the risk of juvenile delinquency is higher among teenagers residing with single fathers when compared to those residing in a 2-parent household. This probably is because of the decreased parental involvement in the former case. The researchers opined that the main factors which contributed to delinquency were lack of supervision from parent's side and absence of close relationship between the adolescent and his or her parents. Geismar and Wood (1986;

American Government And Politics Today Research Paper

American Government And Politics Today - Research Paper Example The country is subdivided into small regions such as states, counties or provinces, and the regions are organized into local governments that can make decisions on certain matters (Cropf, 2008). Most countries in the world use the unitary system of government (Ferguson, 2006). Presently the United uses the federal system of government. It is divided into states, and the different states are governed by local governments that do not report to the central government on most matters. The unitary system has its advantages and disadvantages. 2. During emergencies such as war or catastrophes such as the earthquake, the government can respond quickly in a unitary state as compared to a federal state. The reason is that, in a unitary state, the decision-making process is short. In very big countries and countries with a large racial diversity, it is difficult to rule with the unitary system of government. The powers are centralized in the central government, and it is not easy to govern the rural areas far away from the political capital. For example, whenever there is a conflict between communities, it is difficult for a unitary state to handle it. The differences in ethnicity, religion, and culture can best be handled by federal states (Bardes, Shelley & Schmidt, 2014). In unitary states, more attention is given to the development in the urban areas, and less attention is given to the rural areas. This creates a form of monopoly in the urban dwellers that further impede the development of the rural dwellers. In a unitary state, power is centered in the central government. The central government, therefore, makes decisions unchecked. In the case of any wrong decisions, the government gets away with it. I such a situation, the people bear the consequences. This is a likely scenario in the USA in case the powers of the central government are increased (Bardes et al., 2014).

Understanding Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Understanding Research - Essay Example The entrepreneurs need to use their own mental model to interpret their business environment and culture of the area before they commit. For a startup to succeed in the long term, it must be able to scale up. Many studies have been conducted on startup success in the Tampa bay region to establish major factors that bring about their success and motivation to exist. The business environment and culture in the Tampa Bay is not conducive, the region lacks more high net worth individuals to aid in writing more seed-stage checks to their startups. There should be lots of money to encourage and grow startup culture in any given region. Tampa Bay has an emerging culture of innovation that tries to take hold as more individuals seek to pursue business dreams from scratch; however, the move is soon thwarted due to lack of startup money. Many businesses then transfer to other locations with conducive business culture and environment. The region needs to create a startup community so as to survive. This kind of research is an applied research; it aims at solving a practical problem. The research looks into the startup community of Tampa Bay in order to come up with a business culture that helps improve the human condition. The research aims at discovering some solution for the pressing practical problem, unfavorable startup community. It has mainly used observational research methods. Under this category, the research has specifically used case study. The research falls into this category because it has no clearly defined research question and problem. The research recognizes that even though the emerging startup community in the region exudes enthusiasm, it still has big concerns about its long-term viability as a serious hub for entrepreneurs. It maintains that businesses should embrace basic rules of entrepreneurship in order to succeed. Entrepreneurs need not regret

Establish and adjust the marketing mix Essay Example for Free

Establish and adjust the marketing mix Essay Promotions are not just aimed at increasing usage of the products. Followings are five other specific promotional aims. Sales Growth There have two term of campaigns, long term and short term campaigns. In a short-term, the main aim would be to drive revenues or cash flow, it also trigger the buyer actions. In the long-term campaign, the main aim would be intended to lead optimized profit margins. Especially for a new business they might aim to build a customer base in order to cover new start-up business costs and maintain a sustainable business. For the established companies, their aim would be to generate more business during slow or off season periods, and to expand the business into the newer markets. Brand Recognition One of the most popular promotional objectives would be building or maintaining brand recognition. The objective is to let customers or people know and well recognized your brand logo, other symbols or characters. Customers identify it with your company and hopefully associated with good impression to it, this might lead to customers will advertise our brand to his/her friends. It also gives people something to remember you by , that helps the business stand out even more. Understanding and connecting with the image of your brand is critical to long-term customer’s loyalty and profits. Purchase Intent As customers become more familiar with your brand, the next stage is to motivate purchase intent. The goal is to eliminate, neutralize or blocks the efforts of competitors to grab market share. You need to lure customers away from aggressive competitors. Promotional activities can be used such as refreshing trial use, encouraging existing customers to consume more quantity it occurs when customers are satisfied and can see no reason to buy  form another company and more frequency and getting customers to switch from competing options. Some customers are so satisfied with your services they cannot imagine shopping somewhere else A variety of promotional tools are used in this endeavor, including free trial offers or first-time buyer discounts Create Awareness Increased market awareness is a primary promotional objective. A mature product that is providing something new such as a product improvement or enhancement can also turn to promotion. A product thats new to the marketplace will need promotion to be introduced to consumers. In all these cases, the objective is to make noise in the market that results in sales. Goodwill One ongoing objective of companies is to promote goodwill with the public and also public relation campaign. Staying active in community activities and giving to charities are common promotional tools with public relationship. Coinciding with building and maintaining goodwill, public relationship and other promotional campaigns are sometimes used to combat negative publicity already festering. Wal-Mart often uses advertising to promote positive attributes of the company in the face of criticism for some of its business practices.

Communication Skills in Nursing | Reflection

Communication Skills in Nursing | Reflection This essay will present a reflective account of communication skills in practice whist undertaking assessment and history taking of two Intensive Care patients with a similar condition. It will endeavour to explore all aspects of non verbal and verbal communication styles and reflect upon these areas using Gibbs reflective cycle (1988). Scenario A Mrs James, 34, a passenger in a road traffic collision who was not wearing a seatbelt was thrown through the windscreen resulting in multiple facial wounds with extensive facial swelling which required her to be intubated and sedated. She currently has cervical spine immobilisation and is awaiting a secondary trauma CT. Mr James was also involved in the accident. Scenario B Mr James, 37, husband of Mrs James, the driver of the car, was wearing his seat belt. He had minor superficial facial wounds, fractured ribs and a fractured right arm. He is alert and orientated but currently breathless and requiring high oxygen concentrations. Patients who are admitted to Intensive Care are typically admitted due to serious ill health or trauma that may also have a potential to develop life threatening complications (Udwadia, 2005). These patients are usually unconscious, have limited movement and have sensation deprivation due to sedation and/or disease processes. These critical conditions rely upon modern technical support and invasive procedures for the purpose of monitoring and regulation of physiological functions. Having the ability to effectively communicate with patients, colleagues and their close relatives is a fundamental clinical skill in Intensive Care and central to a skilful nursing practice. Communication in Intensive Care is therefore of high importance (Elliot, 1999) to provide information and support to the critically ill patient in order to reduce their anxieties, stresses and preserve self identity, self esteem and reduce social isolation (Joà £o: 2009, Alasad: 2004, Newmarch:2006). Effective communic ation is the key to the collection of patient information, delivering quality of care and ensuring patient safety. Gaining a patients history is one of the most important skills in medicine and is a foundation for both the diagnosis and patient clinician relationship, and is increasingly being undertaken by nurses (Crumbie, 2006). Commonly a patient may be critically ill and therefore the ability to perform a timely assessment whilst being prepared to administer life saving treatment is crucial (Carr, 2005). Often the patient is transferred from a ward or department within the hospital where a comprehensive history has been taken with documentation of a full examination; investigations, working diagnosis and the appropriate treatment taken. However, the patients history may not have been collected on this admission if it was not appropriate to do so. Where available patients medical notes can provide essential information. In relation to the scenarios where the patient is breathless or the patient had a reduced conscious level and requires sedation and intubation, effective communication is restricted and obtaining a comprehensive history would be inappropriate and almost certainly unsafe (Carr, 2005). The Nursing Midwifery Council promotes the importance of keeping clear and accurate records within the Code: Standards of Conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives (NMC, 2008). Therefore if taking a patients history is unsafe to do so, this required to be documented. Breathing is a fundamental life process that usually occurs without conscious thought and, for the healthy person is taken for granted (Booker, 2004). In Scenario A, Mrs Jamess arrived on Intensive care and was intubated following her facial wounds and localised swelling. Facial trauma by its self is not a life threatening injury, although it has often been accompanied with other injuries such as traumatic brain injury and complications such as airway obstruction. This may have been caused by further swelling, bleeding or bone structure damage (Parks, 2003). Without an artificial airway and ventilatory support Mrs James would have struggled to breathe adequately and the potential to become in respiratory arrest. Within scenario B, Mr James had suffered multiple rib fractures causing difficulty in expansion of his lungs. Fractured ribs are amongst the most frequent of injuries sustained to the chest, accounting for over half of the thoracic injuries from non-penetrating trauma (Middle ton, 2003). When ribs are fractured due to the nature and site of the injury there is potential for underlying organ contusions and damage. The consequence of having a flail chest is pain. Painful expansion of the chest would result in inadequate ventilation of the lungs resulting in hypoxia and retention of secretions and the inability to communicate effectively. These combined increase the risk of the patient developing a chest infection and possible respiratory failure and potential to require intubation (Middleton, 2003). A key component of Intensive Care is to provide patients and relatives with effective communication at all times to ensure that a holistic nursing approach is achieved. Intensive care nurses care for patients predominantly with respiratory failure and over the years have taken on an extended role. They are expected to examine a patient and interpret their findings and results (Booker, 2004). In these situations patient requires supportive treatments as soon as possible. Intensive Care nurse should have the ability and competence to carry out a physical assessment and collect the patients history in a systemic, professional and sensitive approach. Effective communication skills are one of the many essential skills involved in this role. As an Intensive Care nurse, introducing yourself to the patient as soon as possible would be the first step in the history taking process (Appendix A) and the physical assessment process. Whilst introducing yourself there is also the aim to gaining consent for the assessment where possible, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Code of Professional Conduct (NMC, 2008). Conducting a comprehensive clinical history is usually more helpful in making a provisional diagnosis than the physical examination (Ford, 2005). Within Intensive Care the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure/Examination (ABCDE) assessment process is widely used. It is essential for survival that the oxygen is delivered to blood cells and the oxygen cannot reach the lungs without a patent airway. With poor circulation, oxygen does not get transported away from the lungs to the cells (Carr, 2005). The ABCDE approach is a simple approach that all team members use and allows for rapid asses sment, continuity of care and the reduction of errors. Communication reflects our social world and helps us to construct it (Weinmann Giles et al 1988). Communication of information, messages, opinions and thoughts are transferred by different forms. Basic communication is achieved by speaking, sign language, body language touch and eye contact, as technology has developed communication has been achieved by media, such as emails, telephone and mobile technology (Aarti, 2010). There are two main ways of communication: Verbal and non verbal. Verbal communication is the simplest and quickest way of transferring information and interacting when face to face. It is usually a two way process where a message is sent, understood and feedback is given (Leigh, 2001). When effective communication is given, what the sender encodes is what the receiver decodes (Baron:2005, Zastrow:2001). Key verbal features of communication are made up of sounds, words, and language. Mr James was alert and orientated and had some ability to communicate; he was breathless due to painful fractured ribs which hindered his verbal communication. In order to help him to breath and communicate effectively, his pain must be controlled. Breathless patients may be only able to speak two or more words at a time, inhibiting conversation. The use of closed questions can allow breathless patients to communicate without exerting themselves. Closed questions such as is it painful when you breathe in? or is your breathing feeling worse? can be answered with non ver bal communication such as a shake or nod of the head. Taking a patients history in this way can be time consuming and it is essential that the clinician do not make assumptions on behalf of the patient (Ashworth, 1980). Alternatively, encouraging patients to use other forms of communication can aid the process. Non verbal communication involves physical aspects such as written or visual of communication. Sign language and symbols are also included in non-verbal communication. Non verbal communication can be considered as gestures, body language, writing, drawing, physiological cues, using communication devices, mouthing words, head nods, and touch (Happ et al:2000, Alasad:2004). Body language, posture and physical contact is a form of non verbal communication. Body language can convey vast amounts of information. Slouched posture, or folded arms and crossed legs can portray negative signals. Facial gestures and expressions and eye contact are all different cues of communication. Alt hough Mr. James could verbally communicate, being short of breath and in pain meant that he also needed to use both verbal and non verbal communication styles. A patients stay in Intensive Care can vary from days to months. Although this is a temporary situation and many patients will make a good recovery, the psychological impact may be longer lasting (MacAuley, 2010). When caring for the patient who may be unconscious or sedated and does not appear to be awake, hearing may be one of the last senses to fade when they become unconscious (Leigh, 2000). Sedation is used in Intensive Care units to enable patients to be tolerable of ventilation. It aims to allow comfort and synchrony between the patient and ventilator. Poor sedation can lead to ventilator asynchrony, patient stress and anxiety, and an increased risk of self extubation and hypoxia. Over sedation can lead to ventilator associated pneumonias, cardiac instability and prolonged ventilation and Intensive Care delirium. Derlerium can be distressing for both the relatives andthe patient, who may have some recolection after the deleium epsiode (Mclafferty, 2007). Delirium is found to be a predictor of death in Intensive Care patients (Page, 2008). Every day a patient spends in delirium has been associated with a 20% increase risk of intensive care bed days and a 10% increased risk of morbidity. The single most profound risk factor for delirium in Intensive Care is sedation (Page, 2008). Within this stage of sedation or delirium it is impossible to know what the patients have heard, understood or precessed. Ashworth (1980) recognised that nurses often failed to communicate with unconscious patients on the basis that they were unable to respond. Although, research (Lawrence, 1995) indicates that patients who are unconscious could hear and understand conversations around them and respond emotionally to verbal communication however could not respond physically. This emphasises the importance and the need for communication remains (Leigh, 2001). Neurological status would unavoidably have an effect on Mrs Jamess capacity to communicate in a usual way. It is therefore im portant to provide Mrs James with all information necessary to reduce her stress and anxieties via the different forms of communication. For the unconscious patient, both verbal communication and non verbal communication are of importance, verbal communication and touch being the most appropriate. There are two forms of touch (Aarti, 2010), firstly a task orientated touch when a patient is being moved, washed or having a dressing changed and secondly a caring touch holding Mrs James hand to explain where she was and why she was there is an example of this. This would enhance communication when informing and reassuring Mrs James that her husband was alive and doing well. Nurses may initially find the process of talking to an unconscious patient embarrassing, pointless or of low importance as it is a one way conversation (Ashworth, 1980) however as previously mentioned researched shows patients have the ability to hear. Barriers to communication may be caused by physical inabilities from the patients however there are many types of other communication barriers. A barrier of communication is where there is a breakdown in the communication process. This could happen if the message was not encoded or decoded as it should have been (Baron, 2005). If a patient is under sedation, delirious or hard of hearing verbal communication could be misinterpreted. However there could also be barriers in the transfer of communication process as the Intensive Care environment in itself can cause communication barriers. Intensive Care can be noisy environment (Newmarch, 2006). Other barriers can simply include language barriers, fatigue, stress, distractions and jargon. Communication aids can promote effective communication between patient and clinician. Pen and paper is the simplest form of non verbal communication for those with adequate strength (Newmarch, 2006). Weakness of patients can affect the movement of hands and arms making gestures and handwriting frustration and diff icult. Patients may also be attached to monitors and infusions resulting in restricted movements which can lead to patients feeling trapped and disturbed (Ashworth, 1980). MacAulay (2010) mentions that Intensive Care nurses are highly skilled at anticipating the communication needs of patients who are trying to communicate but find the interpretation of their communication time consuming and difficult. The University of Dundee (ICU-Talk, 2010) conducted a three year multi disciplinary study research project to develop and evaluate a computer based communication aid specifically designed for Intensive Care patients. The trial is currently ongoing, however this may become a breakthrough in quick and effective patient clinical and patient relative communication in future care. This assignment has explored communication within Intensive Care and reflected upon previous experiences. Communication involves both verbal and non verbal communication in order to communicate effectively in all situations. Researching this topic has highlighted areas in Intensive Care nursing which may be overlooked, for example ventilator alarms and general noise within a unit may feel like a normal environment for the clinians however for patients and relatives this may cause considerable amounts of concern. Simply giving explanations for such alarms will easily alleviate concerns and provide reassurance. From overall research (Alasad: 2004, Leigh: 2001, MacAuley, 2010: Craig, 2007) Intensive Care nurses believed communication with critically ill patients was an important part of their role however disappointedly some nurses perceived this as time consuming or of low importance when the conversation was one way (Ashworth, 1980). Further education within Intensive Care may be requ ired to improve communication and highlight the importance of communication at all times. Communication is key to ensuring patients receive quality high standard care from a multidisciplinary team, where all members appreciate the skills and contributions that others offer, to improve patients care and the overall patient experience. Appendix 1, The History Taking Process: The questions are the key to a good interview. You need to use a mix of open ended questions and close ended questions. Open ended questions leave the door open for the patient to tell you more. Questions like when it this problem start?, have you had any recent health problems?, and can you show me where it hurts? are open ended. The patient feels free to provide additional information. While questions like does it hurt here?, did you have this pain yesterday?, and have you had the flu in the past month? are close ended. Close ended questions seek very specific, often yes or no responses from the patient and dont encourage the patient to provide any additional information. Good interviews are a mixture of both kinds of questions. (Secrest, 2009) Basic Elements: 1. Greeting a. Introduction b. Identification of patient and self c. Assessment of the patients overall appearance and demeanor 2. Personal history a. Age b. Occupation c. Sex d. Height / Weight e. Marital / Family status i. Children 3. Chief complaint (CC) or Presenting complaint a. Why is the patient seeking care? b. What other problems concern the patient? 4. History of present illness a. Location and radiation of complaint b. Severity of complaint c. Timing of onset d. Situation (setting) of onset e. Duration of complaint f. Previous similar complaints g. Exacerbating and relieving factors h. Associated symptoms i. Patients explanation of complaint 5. Past medical history a. Systematic questioning regarding previous adult illnesses i. Neurological/Psychiatric ii. Eye, ear, nose, throat iii. Skin/Hair/Nails iv. Musculoskeletal v. Cardiovascular/Respiratory vi. Genital-urinary vii. GI tract b. Childhood illnesses c. Surgeries, injuries or hospital admissions d. OB/GYM i. Birth control ii. Pregnancies / Births iii. Menstrual periods iv. Pelvic exams / Pap smears e. Psychiatric f. Immunizations g. Screening tests h. Allergies 6. Family history a. Disease history b. Parental health c. Childrens health 7. Drug history a. Current medications i. Prescription ii. Over-the-counter b. Drug allergies 8. Lifestyle (social history) a. Alcohol b. Smoking c. Recreational drug use d. Sexual life style/orientation e. Reproductive status f. Occupational issues (Secrest,2009)