What is Macro and Micro Environment Essay Example

3 Steps to Acing Your Upcoming Group Interview You’ve been approached in for a board meet. Perhaps you’re threatened. Perhaps frightened. Possibly you’re not even sure you comprehend what that really involves. Whatever your degree of fear, here are three simple strides to traversing your board meet tranquilly and in one piece. Stage 1: BEFOREYou reserve the privilege to ask who will be on your board. Do this. At that point inquire about each board part as well as could be expected. You’ll have the option to make sense of a considerable amount and get ready better for what each may be generally quick to ask you. What does this specific gathering of individuals educate you regarding what the organization is attempting to assess?You can likewise ask to what extent (generally) the meeting should last. This will give you a nice sentiment for what amount to and fro conversation will be conceivable, how much space you’ll be given to pose inquiries, to what extent your answers can be, etc.Step 2: DURING Treat every individual on the board like an individual not simply one more anonymous face. This isn't an indifferent divider asking you inquiries. Every questioner on your board is another chance to make a human association and persuade that a lot more individuals in the organization what an extraordinary fit you would be.Be sure to observe everybody’s name as they are presented. Record every one if that causes you recall. When responding to questions, talk straightforwardly to the person who asked, yet then attempt to widen your answer out to cause the remainder of the board to feel remembered for the discussion.Step 3: AFTERYou’ve took in their names and put forth an attempt to interface with each board part presently thank every single one of them earnestly withâ solid eye to eye connection and a quality handshake. From that point forward, it’s the typical post-meet follow-up methodology. Be that as it may, recall that you have to keep in touch with one card to say thanks for each board part. It appears to be a torment, however it’s these little contacts that will help set you apart.The board talk with: 6 hints for previously, during, and after

Thematic Study on A.K.Ramanujans Poetry

Presentation: A. K. Ramanujan is one of the intriguing artists with regards to the twentieth century Indian English writing. His course of events is somewhere in the range of 1929 and 1994. His verse achieved its notoriety in 1960s. He is considered as the voice of present day India, however he shows his profound root in Indian convention and culture. Among his counterparts A. K. Ramanujan appears to be grave and earnest because of assortment of topics won in his verse. He isn't just an artist yet in addition the best interpreter. He is well known for his interpretations as opposed to other innovative works. His Major Works: A flabbergasted great Ramanujan has composed various sonnets. They were assembled and placed in four volumes under one title The Collected Poems. Of these four volumes The Striders, Relations, and Second Sight were distributed in his life time. His fourth assortment The Black Hen was distributed after his life time in 1995. He is a transnational figure and trans-disciplinary researcher. His scholarly research went across five dialects: Tamil, Kannada, English, Telugu and Sanskrit. His significant interpretation works are The Interior Landscapes: Love Poems from a Classical Tamil Anthology, Speaking of Shiva and Hymns for the Drowning. Subjects in his Poetry: His Collected sonnets speaks to the rich affectability, scholarly thoroughness and feeling. The majority of his sonnets however seriously close to home, have an all inclusive element of their own. The fundamental topics of his verse are Indian culture and convention, family and relations, past recollections, craftsmanship, love, despair, passing, legend, hybridism, and so forth ,. They are loaded with humor, incongruity, Catch 22 and unexpected inversions. He is actually an artist of memory, uproar, youth impressions, dread, distress, basic sufferings and clashes. Craftsmanship as a Theme: The articulation or use of human innovative expertise and creative mind, ordinarily in a visual structure, for example, painting and model is known as ‘art’. Verse and different works delivered by such ability and creative mind can be gone under this beneficial term ‘art’. In the sonnet â€Å"The Black Hen† Ramanujan depicts the craft of composing verse. He clarifies that verse should fall into place easily as leaves go to a tree. This common method of composing the verse is prove through the lines: It must come as leaves to a tree or not in any manner. (1-3) Further the accompanying lines, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ the dark hen with the red round eye n the weaving line by line. (5-8) - show the difficult and inconvenient sort of composing verse. Here the writer contrasts the dark hen and the verse. The term ‘embroidery’ alludes to the extravagant and beautifying work which is accomplished for the verse. The expression ‘stitch by stitchâ€℠¢ demonstrates the hard work accomplished for composing verse. The artist likewise communicates the conscious dread of the writers through the lines: the dark hen gazes with its round red eye and you are apprehensive. (11-13) According to the artist if an innovative work is done once, dread grasps the producer or he gazes at his own work. In this way the whole sonnet â€Å"Black Hen† manages the image of workmanship and innovativeness. The picture of the dark hen represents verse. Topic of Time: Time is a measurement wherein occasions can be requested from the past through the present into the future, and furthermore the proportion of terms of occasions and interims between them. Time has for quite some time been a significant subject of study in religion, reasoning, science and workmanship. Ramanujan focusses on the topic of time in his sonnet â€Å"At Zero† The primary verse of the sonnet â€Å"At Zero† has a picture of clock. The writer says that â€Å"when the tickers lose their tongues† and â€Å"when the hands fall off† there will be no event of sound. There is an image of zero with this quiet of clock. It is additionally the image of vacancy as well. The picture of check and pendulum in the clock most likely uncover the progression of time. There are further more references of time through the lines: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ time pieces on wrists and towers lose time. (5-7) In Ramanujan’s see, the time is completely lost when pieces on wrists and towers. Despite the fact that the main verse talks about the loss of time, the subsequent refrain focuses on the movement of time, which is considered as the triumph of time. The lines which express the triumph of time are following: however the wheels turn, the pinions get: at the focal point of the white, dark, or coin face, the pivot, speck of metal, turns continually:†¦.. (10-14) Here the expression ‘turns continually’ splendidly coordinates with the development of time. The two hands of the clock and twelve numbers absolutely demonstrate the time and its message. Ramanujan opines that the twelve numbers state nothing when they are not moved by the two hands embedded in the clock. He moreover tells that time just continues moving. In an air terminal individuals are trusting that their flight will take off, they continue estimating the time. In Ramanujan’s depiction their eyes look however can’t see anything and their ears tune in yet can't hear anything. At wherever at whenever, time won't stop its capacity. It proceeds onward and carries out its responsibility. It recollects the perusers an Indian axiom â€Å"Time and tide hangs tight for none†. Subject of Indian Culture and Tradition: Every nation of the world has its own way of life, with numerous traditions, conventions and refined characteristics. The way of life of India alludes to the religions convictions, customs, conventions, dialects, services, expressions, values and the lifestyle in India and its kin. Ramanujan’s verse uncovers his solid confidence in Indian culture and convention. The second verse of the sonnet â€Å"At Zero† beginnings with the line â€Å"blank Brahmin-widow faces†. This clear widow faces make the perusers to recall a run of the mill Indian widow. It communicates the Hindu lifestyle in India. The last refrain of the sonnet focuses on the potter-holy person, who is prepared to offer his youngster to God. He looks like a run of the mill Indian holy person and the antiquated culture of India. The lines about the potter-holy person are: †¦.. potter-holy person singing songs, moving his god, manipulated with his feet the delicate red mud, covering alive his most youthful youngster. (38-42) The potter-holy person considers his activity just to appeal to God. Ramanjuan has given a scriptural reference here. Besides the potter-holy person looks like scriptural character Abraham. His sonnet â€Å"Fire† likewise has a specific Indian conventions. It has a confusing perspective ablaze. It represents both creation and annihilation of fire. The second refrain of the sonnet â€Å"Fire† depicts the pulverization of fire with the lines: Ordinary wood squares conveyed at the entryway. A container of matches purchased at the corner store. Furthermore, here this heavenly fire can torch the house, perhaps the entire neighborhood, (7-10) Here the term the ‘supernatural fire’ makes the perusers to consider Indian ceremonies which should be possible with fire. Subject of Hindu Culture: The Indian Hindu culture is a culture of adoration, regard, respecting others and lowering one's own sense of self with the goal that the inward nature, which is normally unadulterated and unassuming, will sparkle forward. He has portrayed a portion of the significant Hindu customs and culture of India. His sonnet â€Å"Of Mothers, among Other Things† is focused on the depictions of his mom, where there are sure components of Hindu folklore. In the third refrain her hands are contrasted and a falcon: a wet eagle’s two dark pink-crinkled feet one claw disabled. Here the picture of the falcon doesn't appear to work out in a good way for the short lived, sensitive and delicate character. In spite of the fact that this examination is abnormal, in Hindu folklore the hawk is the vehicle of the Supreme God, Vishnu. The writer connects the hawk with the female figure. There is a sign in this sonnet after his father’s demise, his mom accept the job of his dad. There is a little bundle of four sonnets around the Hindu idea. They are â€Å"A Hindoo to his body†, â€Å"The Hindoo: he doesn’t Hurt a Fly or a Spider either†, â€Å"The Hindoo: he peruses his Gita and is quiet at all events† and â€Å"The Hindoo: the Only Risk†. These are the sonnets from his first assortment The Striders. These titles themselves show his solid confidence in Hindu culture. The initial lines of â€Å"The Hindoo to His Body† are: ‘Dear seeking after nearness,/dear body, etc. This is a case of Hindu convictions with respect to body. (Chindhale 70-71) Immigrant compositions in his verse: His sonnet â€Å"Salamanders† portrays the attitude of a settler in a remote nation. It appears that the writer manages this sonnet his own involvement with North America. Lizards are truly legendry animals. The writer presents the unadulterated picture of lizards to depict the workers. In the second verse of the sonnet the term ‘we’ alludes to the migrants. The expression ‘flee in panic’ communicates the status of the settlers, who are deprived to work and who wish to buckle down. The writer portrays the lizards in the third verse through the accompanying lines: Salamanders I’d heard live in fire and drink the fire as we the air: (10-12) Like people breath with the assistance of the air for our endurance, lizards drink the fire and live in fire. The writer calls the lizards ‘naked earthlings’. He also depicts its excellence through the lines : †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ poor yet silk to the eye, velvet to the touch. (16,17) Ramanujan opines that migrants resemble lizards. They are consuming inside and eating fire, for example, strain, tension, desire to lead their life in remote nations. They include fire inside their heart for utilizing the flourishing of outside terrains to lead their life. Their dismal and despicable state of reliance of the remote terrains is clarified in the sonnet â€Å"Salamanders†. Like the reptiles hanging tight for the dragonflies, foreigners are trusting that their desire will be satisfied. It tends to be seen fu

Masters Essay Topics for An MBA Degree

Master's Essay Topics for An MBA DegreeIf you are just beginning to look into earning your MBA degree and need some help choosing the right upsc essay topics, I have a couple of suggestions. With so many different programs, essays, online and live classrooms, you may find it difficult to choose the right type of essay topic. You'll also find that there are some common themes that most of the programs have in common.The MBA program that you enroll in, whether online or through traditional classes, will almost certainly have the same approach to these topics. Although most students will be on-campus, the majority of the programs will include both an in-class section and an online class section. Even though these are all academic subjects, the topics are designed to be at the edge of your comfort zone.Students who are just beginning to apply for the MBA degree will be much more comfortable starting out with their own essays. As you can see, this is a good idea, because once you have wri tten your first short essay, you will have the basic knowledge needed to write even better ones.The number one reason for a student to choose the MBA program online is due to convenience. You will no longer need to commute to class every day, and you won't have to worry about driving or parking if you're a student who lives far away from your campus. After a while, you'll be able to work as many hours as you need to during the school year. A lot of the courses offer part-time employment options, and students with jobs often don't have the time to participate in classes, so they opt for the convenience of being able to work during the school year.Another advantage of the free online class is the variety of learning styles. While some students are committed to rigorous academic instruction, others are looking for a hands-on learning experience. Students who are seeking an academic education but have an interest in work skills and non-academic learning will find the online environment very convenient. In fact, you will probably find that you'll spend less time trying to do research and reading and more time actually putting the information into practice.Since the majority of MBA programs offer a credit-by-examination option, this will reduce the amount of time that you will need to spend on the course. Of course, you can always take the online degree, but you can also take the complete credit-by-examination mode with the semester class. One of the things you will notice right away is how the online program will be a great alternative to the regular classroom, because you can communicate with your classmates while doing the work.These are just a few of the tips that I can offer you as you look for the right essay topics for your education. Since so many MBA programs offer online classes, you should not have any difficulty finding one that you can actually complete successfully.

Children From Five Different Countries Essay - 1933 Words

557 children from five different countries (ages 6-10). Researchers gathered information pertaining to childhood TV- violence viewing, identification with aggressive TV characters, aggressive behavior, parents’ socioeconomic status (measured by educational level), parenting practices, and what parents watched on TV (Huesmann, Moise- Titus, Podolski Eron, 2003). The results showed that children who watched violence on television for many hours while in elementary frequently were displayed higher aggression when they became teenagers. Huesmann, Moise- Titus, Podolski Eron (2003) also found that participants that viewed a lot of violent television shows at the age of 8 were more likely to engage in criminal acts that break the law. Researchers have found that children who express defiant, aggressive and explosive behavior by the time they’re in kindergarten is the result of the type of relationship they have with their parents (Stormshak, 2000). Parenting practices seem to have an influence on children’s behavior. There are four styles of parenting but only three appear to affect and damage a child. The first style is an authoritarian parent. This type of parent uses forceful measures to try to enforce proper behavior upon their child which results in the child being angry and resenting them. This form of parenting leads children to be angry, defiant, and lack motivation. The permissive parent is loving and often allows their child to do whatever it is they please, however,Show MoreRelatedEffects Of Protein Energy Malnutrition On Children And Children1708 Words   |  7 PagesThe different foods are very important to human life because of foods have different essential nutrients helping to proper ly growth and development of physically with mentally. Protein energy malnutrition is the deficiencies of protein, energy and other micronutrients. This malnutrition disease can be affected from not eating enough healthy diets and recognizing by physical appearance signs, dietary data and bio-medical data. There are some factors affecting in age groups women and children malnutritionRead MoreLike The Leader Of An Orchestra1448 Words   |  6 Pages2013, p.36). Martti Hellstrà ¶m is the headmaster of the Aurora Primary School located in Finland. Pearson is a leading company in education that provides most of students’ educational materials such as textbooks. Pearson also holds a standing of countries on an index that measures cognitive skills and education. The cognitive skills are measured by looking at global exams (such as the PISA) while the education attainment is measured by literacy and graduation rates. On the Index of cognitive skillsRead MoreThe Abuse too Many Chil dren Face1553 Words   |  6 Pagesterrifying thing to think about, let alone discuss. Many children face abuse and do not know how to get help. 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While Pakistan has taken manyRead MoreA Mission Trip : Puerto Nuevo Essay1575 Words   |  7 PagesGod to the children and workers of the orphanage. We will be focusing on those are eighteen and younger, and will be making sure we give them an abundance of supplies, so the orphanage can use the supplies we give them for years. Once we fully supply the orphanage, we will be there for the children. We want to make them feel safe in an unsafe environment and introduce God into their lives to let them know that he will always be watching over them. Mexico is the fourteenth largest country in the worldRead MoreThe Importance Of Abortion In Buddhism1342 Words   |  6 PagesAbortion is when someone kills the fetus in the womb of the mother. Part of the Buddhist religion, following the Five Precepts, is to not kill or harm any living beings. From understanding the Five Precepts, one can understand why the Theravadin Buddhists disapprove of abortion. 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The extended hours also supports parents who wishRead MoreSweden : A Strict Guideline For All Medical Professionals927 Words   |  4 Pagesfor all medical professionals; this is only going to briefly discuss the common 3 careers in medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists as was discussed in the previous paragraph. Undergraduate medical education at one of the six medical faculties takes five and a half years and is completed with the medical degree to become a doctor in Sweden. After a preregistration training program called †allmà ¤ntjà ¤nstgà ¶ring (AT)† or general medical training of at least 18 months needs to be successfully completed inRead MoreReferral Services And Health Education1400 Words   |  6 PagesChildren (3-6 Yrs) †¢ Immunisation †¢ Health Check-up’s †¢ Deworming †¢ Minor illness treatment †¢ Referral Services †¢ Supplementary Feeding †¢ Growth Monitoring †¢ Early Childhood Day Care †¢ Pre-School Education †¢ Nutrition and Health Education Adolescent Girls (11-18 Yrs) †¢ Health Check-up’s †¢ Deworming †¢ Referral Services †¢ Take Home Ratio’s. †¢ Non-Formal Education, focus on vocational and home based †¢ Nutrition and Health Education Pregnant Women †¢ Immunisation †¢ Health Check-up’s †¢ Referral ServicesRead MoreGermany : Germany In The Heart Of Europe912 Words   |  4 Pages(Geography Climate, 2016). It’s the only Country in Europe to boarder nine countries. The nine countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland and Switzerland. Germany has direct access to the Baltic and North seas. With a coast line of one-thousand four-hundred eighty-four miles. Germany stretches over 137,847 square miles, which is slightly smaller than Montana (Germany: Facts and figures, 2017). The country is covered by nearly one-third forest with

Braille Passion - 798 Words

According the World Health Organization, approximately 285 million people across the world are suffering an impaired vision. They cannot read or write in normal letters; they use Braille to communicate. Braille is a writing system that employs tactile sensation instead of its visual counterpart. I have been learning Braille for a year and am able to read and write in English Braille. This system of writing is my passion. The reason why Braille writing captivates me dates back to three years ago. I was seeing floaters in my eyes, and the doctor diagnosed me with vitreous degeneration. The diagnosis meant that my vitreous, the fluid inside my eyes, had a chance to detach. The detachment can permanently damage my vision. Even without the†¦show more content†¦Unlike any normal writing systems, Braille is written from right to left but is read from left to right. Moreover, what I have learned from this passion is that there is no limitation that can block you from enjoying a succ essful life. If your visual condition bars you from writing normally, you can still write in Braille and get your ideas heard. Braille teaches me that, if you have any disability or disadvantage, all you have to do is to try harder and overcome whatever is keeping you behind. Once you overcome those obstacles, you are standing on the same ground as everyone else but even with more experiences and a more enduring quality. With this passion, I have found the meaning of life. In life, you are given a privilege: whether it is a complete vision or any other things that you might normally take for granted. The reason why you have those privileges is to use them to assist those who lack such opportunity. For instance, if you have a perfectly normal vision, you can learn the Braille more easily than the blind do. You then can use that knowledge to help the blind by writing a Braille book or simply writing a sign in Braille. I once assisted with translating a fairy tale into Braille for the kids who do not have a chance to read it. One of the works I take greatest pride in is a star wheel. I used Braille to symbolize eachShow MoreRelatedBraille : The World Of The Blind1162 Words   |  5 PagesBraille: Imagine if you couldn t see anything. You are seized by darkness and enclosed by a constant perception to look. You are blind as a bat and the colors you see in this world are only the ones you have imagined. The world would be a very contrasting place. Powerless to read a thrilling book and incompetent to do the most delighted hobbies. Unable to understand the appearance of your self and others, where everything you see is what your wild imagine has led you to believe. This is the worldRead MoreAssistive Technology Plan Essay975 Words   |  4 Pageslet his impairment affect the quality of his life. He is completely self-dependent. He uses his walking stick to get from class to class and because the school is equipped with an AT setting, Johnny is able to make to the correct class by using the Braille directly under the room numbers. Johnny is an honor roll student and he would say that his greatest strength is the ability to hone in on his other senses. Johnny is a fantastic saxop honist, in fact he is self-taught thanks to his ability to honeRead MoreThe Violation Of Human Rights996 Words   |  4 PagesAfter reviewing the Human Rights Watch website, www.hrw.org, I decided to write my paper on the violation of the human rights of people with disabilities. I have a passion for working with people that have disabilities and I think so much more should be done for them. The United States have made great strides in being respectful for their human rights and it is time to see the rest of the world step up and take responsibility. There is also much more needed to be done in the United States but weRead MoreA Scientist, By Aldous Huxley848 Words   |  4 Pagesmaking remarkable scientific discoveries, although for some, unfortunate circumstances prevent them from working in scientific laboratories. Whether it be due to a major illness or a physical defect, many inspired adolescents are kept from their true passion, due to the demands of the field. These individ uals are often forced into much less favorable professions, but still retain the analytical mind of a prospective scientist. However, those lucky few who are allowed to express their scientific interestsRead MoreTheme of Alienation in Literature Essay1118 Words   |  5 Pagesdreams to further their detachment. This woman is described being her husband’s ‘habit,’ which really illustrates the effect that she is being dragged down in her life. She is alienated from true passions and real love by being stuck with this man. 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Chiefly Disposed From Individual Households-Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Chiefly Disposed From Individual Households? Answer: Introducation The following is a concept design of a waste water system designed for Miri, Indonesia. The system is significant to that area because it is specific to the locations altitude which is 5m above the sea level. Being a coastal area, the land is gently sloping. The nearest river is 500m away from the treatment site while the ocean is 5km from the treatment site. In this concept design, a system is needed that can enable the treatment of water gathered from the local area community, treating it into a harmless waste product and further disposing it accounting river as effluent. With a population of 20000 people, the per capita water usage is estimated at 130l per day. This means that large volumes are collected from individuals and as no industrial activity is noted in that area, it is assumed that the disposal water is chiefly disposed from individual households. This means that the waste itself is not toxic but rather domestic, organic waste matter. As such, no complicated mechanism of waste water treatment is necessary and therefore it is recommendable to use large open space purification methods (Hoekstra, 2005). In this design, an analysis is done comparing 3 main types of water treatment in order to obtain the best disposal alternative. These 3 methods of disposal are aerated tank disposal, oxidation and the use of a biofilm filter (Vesilind, 2003). With the population at 20000 people and per capita usage at 130l/c/day, we have an overall water disposal rate of 2600m3 of water per day. However, as there is a conversion of sewage water to water supply of 85% - 95%, 90% will be considered for this case therefore leaving the treatable discharge at 2340m3 per day. Alternatives: Waste water is usually an effluent of a variety of processes ranging from industrial to domestic which have varying degrees of toxicity and pathogen accumulation. It is therefore imperative to identify a model or process which cleans out the specific contaminant targeted to such a level of cleanliness that would be acceptable for direct human consumption. As it stands, a variety of state of the art methods of achieving this exist with varying working principles. This report seeks to single out and carefully analyze three main processes of treatment which utilize aeration, oxidation and biofilms in the relative purification of the waste water (Campbell, 2011). The use of an aeration tank is a purification method that combines both the bacterial decomposition activities and reactions to break down wastes in the waste water into less harmful substances. When the right amount of oxygen is allowed into the water or imposed on it, this provides an optimal environment for aerobic digestion of the pollutants. It is mainly used in municipal and industrial processes where large quantities need to be purified over a short time to the cleanest possible degree. It is a secondary process and is proceeded by purification, disinfection and other water sanitation processes (Oxymem, 2014). This method works by supplying oxygen needed by pre-introduced bacteria in the water so as to provide them with the optimum conditions for the aerobic decomposition of waste water pollutants. The end product of this degradation is usually carbon dioxide and water formed by decaying the organic hydrocarbon compounds. The lack of oxygen in waste water treatment results in slow and incomplete reactions which make the water even harder to treat and in some cases even produce odours. This makes the aeration tank relatively safer than other technologies that limit the amount of getting into the waste water to aid in the breakdown of pollutants. Aeration happens in aeration tanks where nothing, other than air is introduced into the water and is the most effective method for breaking down activated sludge (Pure Water Gazette, n.d.). The main advantages of this method are the relatively cheaper capital and maintenance costs and the less equipment required. It is therefore preferred as a secondary process when treating large volumes of water as this process can happen on an open aeration water basin or in a tank with the air being imposed onto the water. The products of this organic reaction are also relatively safe and do not need to be filtered metals and other chemicals are involved. This also significantly reduces the cost of further treatment practices that the waste water would pass through. Another method of state of art treatment that could be considered is the oxidation ditch. This is a process of molecular breakdown that happens when a compound is introduces to a reducing or oxidizing material. In most cases, the end product of this is usually a precipitate and can be filtered out in subsequent water treatment steps. Oxidation ditches are also used by financial and industrial authorities but are best suited for treating waste water whose state of pollution is chemical in nature. They can therefore be set up in a variety of regions with the best possible regions being those closest to industries (Mohajerani, 2009). This method, while similar in description to the aeration tank method works in a significantly different way. While aeration tank method uses the oxygen pumped into it or regulated into it from the air to provide an optimum environment for bacteria, this method uses the oxygen in the air to directly break down chemical components by reduction and oxidation. The precipitates are relatively clean and further reactions into more toxic compounds are prevented in the tank. It usually works for wastewater with a mixed liquor suspended solid mass falling in between the range of 3000ppm to 4500ppm. This method of treatment can handle flows of up to 3500m3 of water per day with a BOD content of 100ppm to 250ppm (Waste Water System, 2017). This method is advantageous as it produces the cleanest effluent without requiring extensive infrastructural investments. It utilizes rotors that provide for circulation at a slow rate in order to allow for maximum oxygen uptake by the water allowing enough time for precipitates to settle. This provides for a reliable and safe method of particle separation without needing further investment in filtration systems. As such, it would be suitable for any urban center provided the population did not exceed the amount that can be produced within a given time period. It is however slow leading to low treatment rates which means it cannot be applicable to areas with a great demand of clean water (Evoqua, 2017). Another state of art treatment method is the use of a biofilm filtration unit. This is where waste water having been discharged from industries or rivers is channeled into a filtration layer that consists of an organic lining and a filter. This seepage occurs slowly with pollutant substances in the water being trapped by the film leaving the water to flow on in a cleaner state. This method of water purification works well in low demand areas where the number of people using the water does not exceed 8000. It is therefore best suited for either domestic usage or usage in town areas where the number of people to be serviced by the clean water is relatively low (Jiang, 2013). This method works by attaching a layer of organic microorganisms onto the lining of a variety of materials that are applied in the purification stages. This allows the microorganisms to attack the pathogens that would otherwise have been too small to combat using a regular filter therefore leaving relatively clean water to flow out. This method does require part replacement as the filters need to be cleaned then replaced on a regular basis. These are usually replaced after regular intervals as letting a filter run too long without changing it would lead to either blockages or further contamination of the water. The filtration layer could be any permeable membrane or material and can even include granular solids like sand (Jiang, 2013). This method of water filtration is mostly used in rural areas due to its easy assembly and the relatively lower demand population. It is significantly cheaper than most other models of waste water treatment but however, it is very effective for treating the said water. Installation of this biofilm does not require great professional expertise as the other methods and it can be used by individuals for residential water cleaning purposes depending on both the amount of contaminant and the level of cleanliness required. The effluent from this method is fairly clean but in most cases, that may change depending on the level of toxicity or contamination (Jiang, 2013). Reccommendation: The method of breakdown used will be the aeration tanks. This tanks are especially beneficial in such a small community as they are adequate enough to cater for the needs of the residents. It is also cost effective with the development of this waste water treatment system necessitating only to provide and open surface wide enough to allow for aeration with the best possible surface area to volume ratio. Aerated tanks are also fairly easy to operate and need minimal skilled operatives operating the equipment in comparison to the other methods. Aerated tanks would be easier to service and clean for silted material over time in comparison to the other methods. Owing to the fact that it is going to be draining into a river, the necessary steps will have to be put in place to ensure the best possible quality that will not be toxic to anything or anyone using the river. These steps are outlined below. Water from a dirty source will come in as influent and head over to storage at the storage pool. Here, it will be retained briefly so that it can enter the screening zone gradually. This is done intentionally to prevent blockage of the chambers. Screening will then take place with the filtration of waste water taking place to remove the huge particles. From here, water is then redirected to the grit chamber so as to begin the process of settling down the insoluble solids. They are usually separated from the rest and cleared later during chamber cleaning. After the dropping of some particles in the grit chamber, the waste water moves on to the silt chamber where siltation then occurs in order to separate the finer, insoluble particles that were not removed in the earlier. From this point onwards, the process of purification can begin at the primary purifier. From here, it proceeds to the aeration tank for further decomposition through aerobic activity and then to the necessary disinfection using chemical action (Norweco, 2006). Other necessary tertiary treatment such as Phosphate removal, nitrogen removal etc. will be included in the treatment. All this is included to ensure that the water has achieved the desired output of 0.25 the solid concentration. From here, the water is now released as effluent. The sludge on the other hand will be disposed of systematically in a process beginning from the sludge storage pool. Here is where it is stored after extraction from the influent during the primary waste water treatment processes. It is then stored in a sludge thickening tank where its density is significantly increased by reducing the amount of water contained. Owing to the amount of sludge expected, the sludge dewater facility to be used can be rotating discs which will be provided in accordance with the quantity of sludge. After that, anaerobic or aerobic digestion can take place before drying and final disposal in landfill. Equipment, Cost Project Time: There are 4 main aerated tank systems which include package plants, oxidation ditches, surface aerated basins and deep shaft vertical treatment. In this case study, it is recommendable to use the package plant due to the economic aspect of it considering that 20000 people is too minute a figure to develop a large-scale system. The package plant condenses more activities into one allowing there to be little retention time versus the amount of water processed. The equipment used in this water treatment include a pump for pumping the waste water across the course of purification. While a majority of the processes will operate under gravity, a pump is needed to raise the water and even dispose it as effluent. This process also uses a wide variety of tanks, each of which is specialized to its specific purpose. These include the storage pool/tank, the silt chamber, the aeration tank, the disinfecting tank, sludge thickening tank and digestion tanks. A grit chamber will also be constructed between these processes whose main purpose is to slow water down long enough to provide for deposition of solids. Filtration membranes are important too and are available in a variety of sized and shapes to suit various treatment plant dimensions. Other aerating equipment e.g. a blower is necessary to ensure proper aeration. Finally, rotating disks will need to be availed to cater for the dewatering of the sludge in its near solid state. The chemicals needed for disinfection could be either ozone, chlorine dioxide or chlorine. The treatment plant could cost between $250 million to $400 million depending on the preliminary site reports, site conditions and complexity of the design. The running costs would cover replacement of the filters, removal of silt and deposited solids, periodic cleaning of the channels and pipes, power requirements and cost of skilled and unskilled labour. References Centi, G. and Perathoner, S., 2014. Advanced Oxidation Processes in Water Treatment. In Handbook of Advanced Methods and business Processes in Oxidation Catalysis: From Laboratory to Industry (pp. 251-290). Comninellis, C., Kapalka, A., Malato, S., Parsons, S.A., Poulios, I. and Mantzavinos, D., 2008. Advanced oxidation processes for water treatment: advances and trends for RD. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 83(6), pp.769-776. Hoekstra, A.Y. and Hung, P.Q., 2005. Globalisation of water resources: international virtual water flows in relation to crop trade. Global environmental change, 15(1), pp.45-56. Ikehata, K. et al., 2008. Ozonation and Advanced Oxidation Treatment of Emerging Organic Pollutants in Water and Wastewater. Ozone: Science and Engineering 2006 (30): 21-26. Jiang, G. and Yuan, Z., 2013. Synergistic Management of anaerobic wastewater biofilm by free nitrous acid and hydrogen peroxide. Journal of hazardous materials, 250, pp.91-98. Hoekstra, A.Y. and Hung, P.Q., 2005. Globalisation of water resources: international virtual water flows in relation to crop trade. Global environmental change, 15(1), pp.45-56. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/indonesia-population/ Mohajerani, M., Mehrvar, M. and Ein-Mozaffari, F., 2009. An overview of the integration of advanced oxidation technologies and other processes for water and wastewater treatment. Int J Eng, 3(2), pp.120-46. Poyatos, J.M., Muio, M.M., Almecija, M.C., Torres, J.C., Hontoria, E. and Osorio, F., 2010. Advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment: state of the art. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 205(1-4), p.187. Radjenovi? et al., 2008. Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) as an Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology. Handbook Env. Chem. Vol. 5 Part S/2: 37-101. Sheng, G.P., Yu, H.Q. and Li, X.Y., 2010. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment systems: a review. Biotechnology advances, 28(6), pp.882-894. Sheng, Z. and Liu, Y., 2011. Effects of silver nanoparticles on wastewater biofilms. Water research, 45(18), pp.6039-6050. Wang, L.K., Hung, Y.T. and Shammas, N.K. eds., 2005.psychology treatment processes (Vol. 3). Humana Press. Wang, L.K., Ivanov, V., Tay, J.H. and Hung, Y.T. eds., 2010. Environmental biotechnology (Vol. 10). Springer Science Business Media. Wang, L.K. and Pereira, N.C. eds., 1979. Handbook of environmental engineering (Vol. 4). Humana Press. Wang, L.K., Shammas, N.K. and Hung, Y.T. eds., 2010. Advanced biological treatment processes (Vol. 9). Springer Science Business Media. Wang, L.K., Shammas, N.K. and Hung, Y.T., 2007. Biosolids treatment processes. Humana Pr Inc. Wang, L.K., Shammas, N.K., Selke, W.A. and Aulenbach, D.B., 2007. Flotation thickening. Biosolids Treatment Processes, pp.71-100. Vesilind, P. ed., 2003. Wastewater treatment plant design (Vol. 2). IWA publishing.

Modern Material Inc Case Study free essay sample

Introduction of Supply-Chain-Management2 Key Individuals and their Effectiveness3 Companies Involved5 Organizational Issues:6 Business Processes Impacted7 Management Takeaway10 Areas of Agreement10 Areas of Disagreement/Concerns11 Recommendations:12 Lessons Learnt16 References17 Objectives (What do you think the author is trying to demonstrate or bring out in the case? ) * A company’s competitive position and profitability can be improved through the use of Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) which if successfully implemented will lead to exemplary customer service. Oz, 2009) * System requirements should be clearly defined and the necessary processes analyzed and agreed upon by all key players/groups before software is coded to avoid reworks and unnecessary spending. * Cohesiveness, coordination, communication and leadership should be evident between stakeholders and management for the successful implementation of a project. * Information systems strategy must be in alignmen t with business strategy and processes to ensure business continuity. Company Background Modern Materials, Inc. (MMI) was established in 1927 and grew through a series of small mergers and acquisitions ultimately earning its name in 1991, when it took over a major competitor and subsequently broadened its product line. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Material Inc Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page MMI manufactures products that are used as raw materials by large manufacturers and the construction industry and was described as one of the giants in the manufacturing industry with two of its facilities producing basic products with special properties and shapes. However, due to difficulties being faced by the manufacturing industry such as overcapacity, foreign competition and reduced profits; spiralled by a depressed manufacturing economy, the company came under immense financial pressure. Ultimately, the company lost money in two of five years and downsized in 1998 which left the remaining workers stretched thin and working at a hectic pace. After the mergers, MMI had several issues as each premerger company became a division of MMI, and each division inherited the Information System (IS) organization of the company from which it was formed, hence, reducing effectiveness. To ensure that a single IS strategy was being maintained and adhered to; MMI outsourced its IS operations to STC, a major player in the IT outsourcing business in 1994. As part of the contract, STC offered employment to all of MMI’s IS staff, most of whom accepted the employment offer. Notably, STC did not evaluate the software and hardware employed by MMI to determine efficiency and applicability. In addition, only a small group of analysts was retained by MMI to address concerns regarding problem definition and process analysis. Introduction of Supply-Chain-Management In 1995 Harvey Woodson was hired as vice president for quality to improve MMI’s competitiveness and profitability. He believed exemplary customer service was the best strategy to do this using the supply-chain management technique. Oz (2009) describes supply-chain-management as the coordination of purchasing, manufacturing, shipping, and billing operations, often supported by an enterprise resource planning system. This system involves entering an order, creating a manufacturing order to guide it through to the required manufacturing process, scheduling it into production, producing, warehousing, shipping and routing it so that it arrives at the proper time, invoicing and billing it, and handling any testing issues or claims that might arise. The company’s information systems however needed to be aligned to Woodson’s plan as supply-chain-management is dependent on efficient processes supported by appropriate information processing systems. Key Individuals and their Effectiveness Several persons were involved in Modern Materials Inc’s attempt to implement a Supply Chain Management system (SCMS) in the company with varying levels of effectiveness. They are as follows: 1. Harvey Woodson, Executive VP, Quality was passionate in his resolve to improve MMI’s competitiveness and profitability. He believed that improving customer service would give MMI competitive advantage and subsequently pushed to develop the company’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) by reengineering its business processes and having efficient information systems to support this drive. He used his seniority to motivate workers to do their best. It can be argued that Woodson was very effective in carrying out his role and drove change within the organization by utilizing several soft techniques. After all, he promoted the project among employees, extolling its benefits and how it would ultimately improve the company. His knowledge about the system and strategies was not shared with others, hence when he departed in 2000, the project was in trouble. Being responsible for a project of this magnitude, he could have ensured that the policies and procedures re succession planning were properly developed and documented. Overall, Woodson was effective given the limitations identified above. 2. George Leach, Director of Planning in Construction Division Although Leach was a sophisticated IT user, he never had the IS expertise to undertake the SCMS project. The case postulates that he understood the SCM process. However, understanding SCM and being a user of technology does not necessarily translate into someone who has the skills/expertise to ensure that the system is well implemented and that there is clear coordination among all stakeholders. He attempted to keep the project on schedule; however his incorrect definition of requirements further delayed the implementation of the MMI order entry system. The case explained that â€Å"when the requirements for a system component fell behind schedule Leach would step into the breach and assist in defining the requirements and specifying appropriate processes†. While this is commendable, as Project Leader, Leach should have been managing the process in such a way to ensure that it remained on schedule. Leach’s lack of IT experience affected his effectiveness. 3. Charles Hastings, Chief Information Officer – Hastings’ selection to the post of Chief Information Officer was a reactive rather than a proactive move. It can be argued that being in charge of IS at one of MMI’s plants was not enough for him to be employed in this post. After all, the system being developed was to be spread across all MMI’s departments. His IS experience may have been limited; however he assessed the project in a timely manner and provided overall IS leadership where it was lacking. The case shows all the problems Hastings found; lack of project management responsibility and lack of communication and provided only a cursory glance at what Hastings accomplished. He emphasized that the order entry system was successfully installed, coordination issues were being addressed and the project plan was redone. However, the case does not provide any information to indicate the degree of success the order entry system had or how Hastings planned to address the deep rooted coordination problems. There was also no indication of how realistic the new project plan was. It can be argued that the most effective move Hastings made was to hire the consultant, Carol Young, to take a comprehensive look at the project. 4. Matthew West, Financial Vice President – Based on the financial history of the company, West strongly believed that the project should be abandoned or put on hold for revisiting at a later date. However, he was effective in presenting the financial context in which the project operated. 5. Carol Young, Project Manager – Young’s experience and expertise in project management was unquestionable and her business-like approach to the task was commendable. In her assessment of the project, her findings showed a great level of research. While, Hastings’ projections were on the surface, Young was detailed. For example, she and her team interviewed the functional persons involved (first time they were being included in anything related to the project) and identified the implications for lack of testing and staffing needs. Young did a â€Å"health check† of the project where she evaluated the company’s risk, financial and schedule management. She highlighted Leach’s short-comings as a project manager as well as criticized his ‘big bang’ approach that was costing MMI time and money. She recommended the ‘rolling wave’ approach as a better option. While her recommendations were valid, Young’s tone was confrontational and was interpreted by Leach as being offensive. Young’s involvement in the case was effective as she was able to present a realistic picture of the project and identify a clear path to successfully implement the project. GROUP The Task Force * Comprised of four senior executives and chaired by Woodson * Responsible for developing a proposal to be presented to MMI * Appointed UCA to develop the new system Also had the alternative of enhancing the current system Companies Involved STC – The case describes STC as a major player in the IT outsourcing business. In accepting MMI’s contract, most of the MMI’s IT staff were offered jobs. STC also became responsible for MMI’s hardware and software and were responsible for coding, testing and installing the system. They were also responsible for solving th e company’s Y2K compatibility issues and bringing in Carol Young as consultant on the orders of the Chief Information Officer. There was no indication as to how STC was chosen and whether or not their track record was successful. It can be argued that the lack of leadership at MMI led to STC’s poor performance. United Consultants Associates (UCA) – Appointed by the task force under Woodson’s leadership, hence management thought they were a good fit. They were employed to develop a single plant operation that would be expanded and enhanced to suit MMI. They provided the code for a system developed for MMI’s competitors, lead the requirements definition effort and helped to develop the system design and program specifications. However, a few red flags were raised when it became clear that the system to be developed was far greater than what UCA had previously done. Also, the fact that the IS system implemented by UCA had only 50 – 60 per cent functionality was questionable. It would have been more realistic to get a company that had 100 per cent functionality. Individuals Mary Ellis – Construction Division representative on steering committee Organizational Issues: MMI is a multibillion dollar manufacturing company and one of the giants in the industry. The company has, however, experienced many organizational challenges which affected the successful implementation of the SCMS project. These included; lack of leadership, teamwork and clear policies and procedures to guide the implementation process. Some of these challenges are detailed below: * MMI experienced difficulties such as overcapacity, global competition and a depressed manufacturing economy that plunged profits and as a result the company had to downsize. In order to regain market share and boost profitability, MMI developed a strategic plan and sought to develop new information systems. The organization had a conventional IS structure with each division/department having their own systems and eventually outsourced its IS organization to STC. This meant that STC had control of MMI’S hardware and software. * The organizational culture seems to support hiring within as opposed to hiring the most suitable candidate, even if it meant looking externally. This was eviden t in Leach’s appointment. * There was a lack of cohesiveness, teamwork and effective leadership within the organisation. Business Processes Impacted The case indicated that MMI’s production processes were â€Å"highly automated, with exceptional computer controls,† however the inadequacies of the business processes and supporting information systems does not facilitate outstanding customer service. Modern Materials Inc. implemented a new Supply Chain Management System in order to provide outstanding customer service and improve the company’s position and profitability. Supply chain management involves the â€Å"oversight of material, information and finances as they move in a process from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer. It involves coordinating and integrating these flows both within and among companies. † The objectives of the new Supply Chain Management to be implemented by MMI are highlighted below; 1. Reducing inventories 2. Increasing market share 3. Enhancing profits 4. Reducing operating costs 5. Increasing customer service The following business processes were reengineered and replaced by the new Supply-Chain Management System (SCMS): * Sales-order entry * Sales forecasting * Order status * Pricing * Scheduling and planning * Manufacturing data collection * Inventory control * Quality tracking * Traffic Shipping * Invoicing * Billing * EDI Additionally, with the implementation of SCMS, the following business functions will be impacted: * Customer Service One of MMI’s main objectives is to improve profitability through exemplary customer service. This includes, taking orders, producing the product and getting it the customer at the right time and the best cost. SCMS would enable MMI to achieve this goal by managing customers’ orders more efficiently and reducing the delivery time from 120 days to 45 days; ultimately enhancing customer relationships through better service levels and value-added services. Marketing SCMS would allow MMI to identify its profitable and non-profitable products which would help to drive the company’s marketing efforts. The compatibility of the MMI’s marketing concepts with SCMS will help to ensure that the company satisfies customers at a profit through inter-functional coordination. * Finance and Accounting SCMS maximizes efficiency and provides the opportunity for the company to realize cost savings. The system will track and record payments, cash receipts, and all cash movement. SCMS will help MMI to create the visibility that leads to improved budget management, effective cost-reduction strategies and more accurate forecasting. SCMS also facilitates the easy tracking of financial transactions, thus allowing for detailed analyses of trade payables and receivables. With the implementation of SCMS, MMI will have a better view of the long-term financial health of the organization. * Operation The implementation of SCMS facilitates reduced inventory because of the expected improvement in the delivery time. Operational information regarding supply chain management is usually available in real time. * Human Resource Management With the implementation of the new SCMS, staff will need to undergo training so that they can be equipped with the knowledge and skill sets needed to maneuver and manipulate the system. This will ensure effectiveness and efficiency of staff before, during and after the system has been implemented. SOFTWARE: Applications: * Microsoft Excel * Microsoft Access SYSTEMS Production systems which were replaced with one integrated system The data processing systems: Supply chain management system * Sales-order entity system * Sales forecasting system * Order status system * Pricing system * Scheduling and planning system * Manufacturing data collection system * Inventory control system * Quality tracking system * Traffic system * Shipping system * Invoicing system * Billing system * EDI system Management Takeaway The case provides an interesting glimpse into the life of a company and specifically the dynamic relationships and issues that manifest themselves when implementing a project. After analysing the case, it is clear that in implementing the SCMS project, Modern Materials Inc could have handled the process better, however, there were areas in which they excelled. This section will highlight the areas with which we agreed and disagreed as well as make some recommendations and indicate lessons learnt that MMI could possibly consider in moving forward and in implementing other projects in the future. Areas of Agreement 1. Hiring Woodson as project leader for the SCMS. He understood leadership and was a good change agent who spent time explaining inconsistencies and encouraging others. . The decision to establish the Chief Information Officer position (CIO) and appoint Charles Hastings to fill the post. This decision, even though a bit overdue, was very instrumental in bringing leadership to the project. The CIO was charged with the responsibility of straightening out the problems with the SCMS systems. 3. Business process reengineering BPR helped MMI to fundame ntally rethink how they do their work in order to dramatically improve customer service, cut operational costs, and become world-class competitors. 4. Leach’s role in defining systems requirements; however this must be done in consultation with the person responsible for that area or processes. 5. Leach’s recommendation that MMI continue with the SCMS as this will give the company a competitive edge and provide an integrated supply plan for the entire organization in real time technology. 6. The following recommendations made and actions taken by Carol Young: Recommendations * The need for an elected project manager who takes full control of the entire project and promotes effective communication between all stakeholders. Employing more efficient business processes. * Completing each stage of the project as opposed to Leach’s strategy of working on a number of the phases independently; thereby ensuring that each stage works properly, ultimately saving the company money by eliminating the process of reworking if a fault is found after the fact. Actions * Performing a â€Å"health check†, interviewing func tional and end users of the project and reviewing the project plan. * Researching what needed to be done to make the project a success Areas of Disagreement/Concerns 1. Decision to devote most of STC’s resources to dealing with Y2K compatibility issues which resulted in less resources being spent on the SCMS project and added to its non-completion. 2. The decision by UCA to begin the systems design and program specifications without input from the users. 3. Despite the numerous benefits to be had from SCMS, the importance of trust comes into play and hence MMI must develop mutual trust and understanding between parties (suppliers etc) to achieve collaboration. 4. Reorganizing the task force and replacing senior managers with middle level managers. This project required MMI changing the way it does business, and considering its importance to the long term viability of the company; MMI should have kept the senior managers. 5. Mathew West’s recommendation that the project be abandoned. As the Vice President of Finance, West considered the overall dire financial condition of the company, highlighted the financial context within which the company operated and questioned the affordability of the project’s completion. It can however be argued that West failed to assess the benefits to be derived if the project was to be completed and implemented on time. 6. MMI not having a project leader with demonstrated experience in implementing projects of this magnitude and nature; distinct from the leader of the steering committee with overall responsibility for the project’s implementation. 7. MMI not conducting a risk analysis or having IT governance of the project in place. As such, the project was not properly planned, and possible risks, obstacles and setbacks were not considered. 8. Carol Young’s affiliation with STC and her recommendation that she be brought in to manage the project. This can be viewed as a conflict of interest as she was a hired consultant of STC, an affiliate company. Recommendations: 1. MMI should proceed with the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS). Despite the obvious monetary challenges that the company is presently facing MMI should implement the system as planned because of the array of benefits to be derived from SCMS, inclusive of regaining market share and increasing profitability. 2. Appropriate Technology to support SCMS. MMI should consider purchasing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which has a system that allows information about a product to be recorded. â€Å"It contains an electronic product code (EPC) which provides much more information than the Universal Product Code. The tag can include the date of manufacturing, the plant in which the product was made, lot number and many other details that help track its movement and sale†. This would help MMI to improve its service and enhance its customer relations. 3. Project Managers should be clearly identified. Effective project leaders are critical for the successful completion of any project. If MMI decides to proceed with the project as recommended, a project manager should be appointed. 4. Feasibility Analysis. MMI should  undertake a  feasibility analysis of the project on an economic, technical, operational and temporal basis. This would  better assist MMI to determine project outcomes ahead of time, thus allowing the stakeholders to make better/more sound decisions. 5. Customer Relationship Management. MMI should consider implementing customer relationship management (CRM) systems to support its SCMS so that it can plan its resources. CRM systems increase the quality of customer service information captured which can be further analysed to learn about the buying habits and service preferences of customers; ultimately enhancing strategic planning. 6. Project implementation should have a clear deployment strategy. This involves planning how and when execution takes place, the training of operational staff, data conversion and piloting (acceptance testing). IT projects undertaken should first be ‘piloted’ in all departments that will be affected by the change. To this end, staff directly involved in /affected by the changes should be frequently informed on the project’s progress. The company should ensure that sufficient time is dedicated to testing. There should first be unitary testing, once this is successful then MMI should proceed to integration testing. If there are any issues, this must be dealt with before full implementation. 7. An independent audit should be commissioned by MMI’s management team, MMI should invest in an independent external audit. It is recommended that the audit be carried out by a company/organisation that has no prior affiliation with the SCMS project so that an unbiased and objective analysis of the project’s status and the way forward can be determined. 8. An organizational structure should be outlined for the project. A representative from every facet of the project should be accounted for in the organisational structure to ensure that information is communicated in a structured manner. This will increase the efficiency of the communication process thereby reducing delays. 9. A clearly defined communication strategy/plan should be developed for the project. Developing a communication strategy or plan will facilitate the smooth running of the project. This may help to identify potential areas of concerns, allowing for project leaders to be proactive rather than reactive. A communication plan would have proven beneficial to MMI in its dealings with independent/outsourced contractors UCA and STC. This was due to a breakdown in communication between the companies which accounted for a great percentage of the delays in the beginning stage of the project implementation. These companies should have specific service level agreements which have a clause for consequences of non performance 10. Alternative cost saving measures should be considered by management instead of staff cuts. It is recommended that instead of cutting staff, management look at alternative cost saving measures. Management should consider that the project is still in its implementation stage and the existing staff is already stretched beyond its full potential. As such cutting staff may have a negative impact on the successful completion of the project. 11. Effective monitoring mechanisms should be introduced by management. Management should implement project management systems to facilitate tighter control and monitoring of projects. This will help to ensure that delays are minimised, deliverables are achieved, deviations dealt with immediately and the project is kept on schedule. 2. Policies and Procedures should be adequately documented and updated on a timely basis to facilitate knowledge management. There should be documentation and timely updating of processes and procedures used during a project’s implementation so that team members are aware of how particular systems work. 13. Mapping of business processes should be undertaken by the relevant department manager. IT projects an d processes must be implemented based on what the actual specifications are and not on what the IT specialists think they ought to be. Therefore the project leaders must ensure that consultants liaise with the required department head before designing a project. The processes and requirements should be properly defined and signed off by affected parties before coding is done. 14. MMI should ensure there is succession planning in place. In the case of the SCMS, too much of the project was in the hands of one person. When under taking a new project, management must ensure that its project management team has the requisite systems and people in place to facilitate easy handover if necessary. Developing a succession plan will aid in minimising completion lags and cost-overruns where there is a change in the team composition 15. The composition of the Information System Steering Committee should be reviewed. This committee should consist of the CEO (Chair), all senior executives, Chief Information Officer, selected technical managers, selected users, domain and subject matter experts and champions. 16. MMI should employ effective IT governance. This is critical if MMI wants to earn value from IS/IT. Effective IT governance helps to clarify business strategies, measures and manages the amount of money spent and assigns accountability for organizational changes. (Solutions, 2007) 17. MMI should implement a business recovery plan. The business recovery plan will assist MMI in outlining the procedures for bringing the business to normal operations after a disaster or other emergency. The plan will also help MMI’s management to better identify their key staff, vendors, equipment and clients; establish a communication protocol and identify any alternate emergency location for work to resume. Lessons Learnt 1. A project plan should be implemented with clear communication strategies. 2. Poor project planning, insufficient communication, ineffective management (process, project and change), failure to align with constituents and stakeholders and poor or missing methodology and tools are recipes for the failure of any project. (Gulla, 2012) 3. Business activities outsourced should be monitored, similarly to any internal activity, in an effort to  prevent loss of control and damage to the organizational brand. 4. System requirements and definitions should be properly established/agreed upon before the project is embarked on. . Management should ensure that stakeholders are in agreement with the project so that there is cohesion and no dissent. 6. Change project and process management are key to successful implementation of any project. 7. When embarking on large company wide projects as in the case with MMI, persons with demonstrated Project Management experience and relevant technical exper tise should be appointed to spearhead same. 8. For IS to be effective, the necessary business processes and support systems must be in place and must be aligned with company objectives. 9. When undertaking projects, risk analysis must be done and contingency plans drafted. References Gulla, J. (2012, February ). Seven Reasons IT Projects Fail. Retrieved October 28, 2012, from www. ibmsystemsmag. com: http://www. ibmsystemsmag. com/power/Systems-Management/Workload-Management/project_pitfalls/? page=3 Oz, E. (2009). Management Information Systems 6th Edition . Massachusette, USA: Course Technology . Solutions, H. G. (2007, October ). How to prepare a business recovery plan. Retrieved November 6, 2012, from www. hostway. com: http://www. hostway. com/newsletter/2007/08/