Soft Systems Methodology Analysis Construction Essay

Soft Systems Methodology Analysis Construction Essay This essay investigates Soft Systems Methodology, which is a way of dealing with problem situations in which there is a high social, political and human activity component. SSM varies from other methodologies as it does not deal with the HARD problems that are more technically oriented but instead it deals with SOFT problems. Organizations are making large investments in construction projects. Many factors affect the successful achievement of projects, and to be considered successful, project objectives and specifications must be achieved on time and on budget, also projects should meet Stakeholders expectations and realize measurable benefits. But construction projects are often difficult to estimate and manage; some projects are cancelled or reduced in scope because of overruns in cost and or time, or failure to produce expected benefits. That what makes risk management for construction projects a challenging task. FIGURE 1 SOFT SYSTEM METHODOLOGY: Soft System Methodology is the brainwave of  Professor Peter Checkland. The methodology was devised as a result of consultancy work (Platt, 1995).  Hutchings (2006) explains this development as an approach which can be accessed in the situation where Hard System Methodologies are fruitless. He writes,   When confronted with complex real world problems which cannot be defined solely in the scientific terms, Checkland was forced to abandon the classic system engineering thinking which could not describe fully the situation he faces. This led to a fundamental reappraisal of the classics hard approach and the subsequent development of the Soft Methodology. Hence, SSM is classified as a generic methodology (Wilson, 1992) which should be adapted to any given situation. It deals with fuzzy problem situations situations where people are viewed not as passive objects, but as active subjects, where objectives are unclear or where multiple objectives may exist (Rosenhead, 1989). This is explained as human activity system (HAS)   a collection of activities, in which people are purposefully engaged, and the relationships between the activities (Platt, 1995).  Hence SSM is a qualitative technique that can be used for applying System Thinking to non-systematic situations. It follows its progression in seven stages as laid down by Checkland in seven stage model which  is considered by most people to be  the  SSM (Platt, 1995). The seven stages are incorporated into two parts: the real world and systems thinking, as illustrated  in Figure 2. The diagram is divided into two halves. The upper half (Stages 1, 2, 5, 6, 7) are activities th at take place in the real world that is they are based on the knowledge and experience of the participant of how things are to them (Beckford 1998) and therefore should involve people in the problem situation. The bottom half (Stages 3,4,4a,4b) are systems thinking activities which are carried out in the language of systems and may or may not involve people in the problem situation, depending on the circumstances of study  (Johnson, 1999).   FIGURE 2: LEARNING CYCLE OF SSM Effective Risk Management: Project risk management consists of two stages: Risk Assessment, and Risk Control. Risk Assessment is an iterative process; it can take place at any stage and during any time of the project lifecycle, though the sooner the better. Risk Control cannot be effective without a previous risk assessment. TYPES OF RISKS IN CONSTRUCTION: Risk in the design (Flanagan, Norman):   The design risk includes:   Errors in the drawing and design by the architects, structural engineer,   Risk of finishing the drawing in the agreed time, Risk due to number of revisions made in the drawings,  Risk due to the mistake in estimation and costing. Risk arising by the contractor:   Risk occurring due to the in experience of the contractor in doing the kind of project, Risk occurring due to the lack of coordination with the sub contractors and the suppliers which results in delay of the work, Risk due to the manpower mismanagement and also due to the issues regarding claims, disputes, Risk due to the delay in payment of bill to the contractor by the client. Risk arising by the client:   Risk due to not giving insufficient information on the clients needs to the contractor,  Risk due to delay in making important decision, Risk due to the wrong selection of procurement route to construction of the building,  Risk of delay due to changes in the architectural drawing and the design calculations,. Risk arising in the site:   Risk due to improper soil investigation in the site which results in problems like water logging, Risk due to problem with the transportation facility to the site which delays in the delivery of the materials to the site. Other miscellaneous risks: Risk in delay of the project due to the delay in the approval from the local authorities, Risk due to some political interferences,  Risk due to the problems raised by the neighbourhood property owners,  Risk due to the existence of previous building in the site. FIGURE 4: RISK IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT The Role of Each Stake Holder Involved: The stake holders involved in the Risk management study (Lambeck, Eschemuller) are: Risk Manager:   He is the head of the risk management study. He initiates the meeting with the client and submits the risk management report to the client. The risk manager will prepare a risk management evaluation report to submit to the client. Architect:   Architect works on the design of the building based on the requirements given by the client.   He is responsible for the design and he has to make sure that the design is proper and the risk of changes in the drawing is minimal. Structural Engineer:   The structural Engineer proves the structural design of the project. He is responsible for the structural stability and the safety of the building. He can change the architect drawing if there is no structural feasibility in the design. Project Manager:   The Project Manager is the main representative from the client side who is responsible for the whole construction work. He calculates the time limit to finish the project and also looks in to the quality considerations. He coordinates the construction team and make sure that the potential of risk is minimum. Quantity Surveyor: The quantity Surveyor is a main part and works on the cost aspect of the project. He will be responsible for selecting and delivering different materials for the construction. The estimates proposed by the QS will be very competitive. Client: The client is the owner of the project. The client will be providing his requirements to the project team. There fore his satisfaction with each of the proposals is very important. Service Engineer:   The service engineer is responsible for the risk involved in the service provided in the building such as electrical, plumbing, air conditioning etc. The Information Client will need to provide to the Workshop Participants before Each Study:   The client provides the requirements he expects from the study to the stake Holders such as Architect, Structural Engineer and Quantity Surveyor etc. the information client has to provide are: The aim and the objective of the project: Quality expectations: Quality is an important factor and has to be considered for the project. All the materials used for the project should be of high quality and proper checking has to be done by the project manager. Allocated budget: The budget allotted for the project has to be clearly defined. This will help in calculating the coast control techniques. The whole life cycle cost of the project and the cost certainties also has to be evaluated. There fore a detailed risk management study has to be carried out during the pre defining stage. Time limit: The time limit to complete the project has to be finalised and should be finished in the calculated time since it adversely affect the project budget. There fore the time required for the design and the execution of the project has to be calculated. The list of machineries going to be installed in the project: It is needed to fix the electrical connection. The risk manager should be provided with the plans of future expansion if there is any. Site Details: The site consideration such as the size and shape of the site and the area in which the site is situated has to meet the project objective. Hard and Soft Systems: Hard systems thinking are goal-directed as the particular study begins with the definition of the desirable goal to be achieved. It is essentially concerned with the question of how to achieve a predetermined aim. Soft is concerned with defining the options for improvement thus addressing the what to do question. It is also committed to the examination of human activity, which is the other soft part of the equation, in hard systems thinking a goal is assumed. The overall purpose of the methods used by the analyst is to modify the system in some way so that this goal is achieved in the most efficient manner. Whereas hard systems thinking is concerned with the how of the problem, in soft systems thinking, the objectives of the systems are assumed to be more complex than a simple goal that can be achieved and measured. Every system can be said to have a set of purposes or missions rather than goals. Understanding of soft systems can be achieved through debate with the actors in the sys tems. Emphasis is placed on the what as well as the how of the system. Conclusion: To deliver successful construction projects that meet the three deliverables (budget, time, and customer satisfaction), project managers should spend time assessing and managing risk, and allocating contingency and management reserves, so that any risk that arises will be mitigated, following risk assessment and planning. Without maintaining a contingency reserve, the project manager is forced to go back for additional time or dollars for every risk as it becomes a problem. Also to attain successful projects, the project managers have to follow a soft system methodology to ensure that the project starts with a chance of achievement.   BIBLIOGRAPHY: Michael. F. Dallas (2006)-   Value and Risk Management- A guide to best practise N.J. Smith, Managing risks in construction projects Beckford, J. (1998),  Quality: A Critical Introduction,  Oxford: Routledge Hutchings, J. (2006),  A Soft System Framework for the Conservation Management of Material Cultural Heritage  in Alan, D. (2008) Managerial Problem Solving,  Newport:  University  of  WALES Johnson, A. (1999),  Using Soft Systems Methodology in the Analysis of Public Involvement in EIA Platt, A. and Warwick, S. (1995),  Review of Soft System Methodologies, Journal: Industrial Management Data Systems, Vol 95, No. 4, Page 19-21 Checkland, P. (1981),  Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, Wiley:  Chichester Reason, P. and Bradbury, H. (2001)  Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice,  London: Sage  Ã‚   Rosenhead, J. (1989),  Rational Analysis of a Problematic World, Wiley:  Chichester Wilson, B. (1992),  Systems: Concepts, Methodologies and Applications, Wiley,  Chichester, Roger Flanagan, George Norman: Risk management and construction By Richard Lambeck, John Eschemuller: Urban Construction Project Management Introduction: 1 Soft System Methodology: 1 Effective Risk Management: 3 Types Of Risks In Construction: 4 The Role of Each Stake Holder Involved: 5 Hard and Soft Systems: 7 Conclusion: 8

Effective Communication Essay -- essays research papers

Running Head: Effective Communication 1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to be an effective manager in the work force today, one must have a very good understanding of the various ways in which people interact and communicate with one another. It is critical that good leaders display the ability to effectively communicate with their associates and subordinates as well as train and encourage others to demonstrate those same communication skills. By doing so, they will promote both a healthy and efficient work environment that everyone will be sure to enjoy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first challenge in effectively communicating with today’s workforce is diversity. The work force today is more diverse than ever and is rapidly becoming even more diversified as time passes. Leaders are already facing differences from many levels of society. And with every new group that enters into the workforce, there are still the cultural differences such as customs, beliefs, and expectations that are thrown into the mix as well. All of this, as well as many other issues only further complicates the task of achieving effective communication on all levels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Perhaps the first and most obvious difference in the work environment is the difference of the sexes. Women Running Head: Effective Communication 2 possess a tendency to be more subtle or convincing rather than shouting out demands. Studies have shown that women are more likely to construct their requests in the form of suggestions or leading questions rather than be more direct (Adult Learner’s Guide, 1999). The conflict is evident if one considers the fact that males possess the complete opposite tendency. Men are often more direct and to the point. These two contrasting attributes are a fertile breeding ground for misunderstandings of all sorts. Women also do not hesitate to mix business with personal talk where men are more anxious to get to the details of the business at hand. For women this seems to be a double edged sword. On the one hand, the personal talk brings down some barriers and lets each one get to know the other so everyone is comfortable. This works in their favor in situations where they are meeting a group or individual for the first time. But on the other hand, after they become acquainted, women have trouble separating their personal feelings and allowing the... ...py and successful workplace. They must be able to convince others to set their feelings aside and deal with issues at hand and as the workforce becomes more and more diverse, this will become a larger challenge. Today’s leaders must understand that the varying methods needed to communicate are just as diverse as the environment in which they are needed. Not all techniques will apply to all people, but by listening to individuals and hearing what they are truly saying, a true leader will be able to communicate effectively with anyone on their team as well as encourage effective communication throughout their team. Only when this type of communication is obtained can a workplace truly operate without the usual shortcoming and pitfalls that trouble so many of today’s workplace environments References Adult Learner’s Guide, (2nd Edition). (1999). Adler, Ronald B. & Elmhorst, Jeanne Marquardt (1999). Communication at work: principles and practices for business and the professions, (6th Edition). St. Louis: McGraw-Hill. Pierce, Jon L. & Newstrom, John W. (1996). The manager’s bookshelf: A mosaic of contemporary views, (4th Edition). New York: HarperCollins College Publishers.

The Descriptiveness of Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay -- Literary Ana

Heart of Darkness was written by Joseph Conrad in 1902. Before it was published it appeared in a 3-part series in Blackwood’s magazine. The story tells of a detailed incident when Marlow who takes over the assignment of the captain of a ferry-boat travels into the darkness. He was employed by the Belgian Trading company. Marlow is employed to transport ivory downriver; however while doing his job, he comes across a person called Kurtz to whom he has to give the ivories after he have collected them. Kurtz is a very reputed man throughout the region and is known by everyone. The novella starts as the main character Marlow at the Thames River in the evening with several other people and starts telling the story about how he entered into the Dark Continent. The novel is a critique to the manifest destiny which is a norm believed that Europeans were chosen by god to rule over the world and make colonies all over Asia and Africa. The Europeans behaved and acted like the kings of the world. They considered Africans as objects and not people. In the novel, Africans were merely used as a backdrop where Marlow—the main character can lay out his philosophical and existential struggles. The dehumanization is harder to identify then open racism or violence. Also, Conrad, through the book hypocrites his own country and blames them for dehumanization. When it comes to analyzing the novella—symbolic interpretations, character development and language are the three main topics to discuss. The novella is written in such precision and high detail that almost every paragraph has a very significant role to play in the overall plot. The story is created to illustrate ideas and themes, rather than just a simple narrative. The ideas and themes are consta... ...ughout the Heart of Darkness. One of them starts when the unnamed reader describes the ship Nellie, himself, his fellow mates on the ship and particularly Marlow. At first, the unnamed narrator is not sure to be a character in aboard on the ship until a few paragraphs until we realise that he has been observing others—â€Å"between us there was, as I have already said†. Marlow gradually takes over the narration beginning â€Å"and this also has been one of the darkest places on earth†. Later on in the novel, Conrad has Marlow take over the entire second monologue narrative. No matter how descriptive the book is, the basic facts still remain that Kurtz was the man who jumps off the edge of insanity and plunges into the dark of insanity. Whereas, Marlow is the man who goes to the edge of insanity, looks over the edge, and had enough strength to not go over to the other side.

Emily Grierson Essay

The object of fascination in the story. An eccentric recluse, Emily is a mysterious figure who changes from a vibrant and hopeful young girl to a cloistered and secretive old woman. Devastated and alone after her father’s death, she is an object of pity for the townspeople. After a life of having potential suitors rejected by her father, she spends time after his death with a newcomer, Homer Barron, although the chances of his marrying her decrease as the years pass. Bloated and pallid in her later years, her hair turns steel gray. She ultimately poisons Homer and seals his corpse into an upstairs room. Colonel Sartoris – A former mayor of Jefferson. Colonel Sartoris absolves Emily of any tax burden after the death of her father, which later causes consternation to succeeding generations of town leaders. Tobe – Emily’s servant. Tobe, his voice supposedly rusty from lack of use, is the only lifeline Emily has to the outside world and he cares for her and tends to her needs. After her death, he walks out the back door and never returns. Judge Stevens – A mayor of Jefferson. Eighty years old, Judge Stevens attempts to delicately handle the complaints about the smell emanating from the Grierson property. To be respectful of Emily’s pride and former position in the community, he and the aldermen decide to sprinkle lime on the property in the middle of the night. Homer Barron – A foreman from the North. Homer is a large man with a dark complexion, a booming voice, and light-colored eyes. A gruff and demanding boss, he wins many admirers in Jefferson because of his gregarious nature and good sense of humor. He develops an interest in Emily and takes her for Sunday drives in a yellow-wheeled buggy. Despite his attributes, the townspeople view him as a poor, if not scandalous, choice for a mate. He disappears in Emily’s house and decomposes in an attic bedroom after she poisons him. PART 2 1. The metaphor used to describe Emily in the first paragraph was â€Å"†¦ a fallen monument†. 2. The house is given a personality in the second paragraph in this way, â€Å"lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay†¦ â€Å". 3. Colonel Sartoris had the idea of and helped abate the taxes on the Grierson property. 4. Mailed her the tax papers. 5. Small, fat woman; short, spare skeleton, bloated and pallid; eyes like lumps of coal in dough of her face. 6. 32 years. 7. A bad smell; He explained that the smell was the result of a dead snake or rat that the servant had killed. 8. She told the ladies who called on her that he was not dead†¦ for three days. 9. Homer Barron , he runned a construction company. 10. Miss Emily Grierson’s neighbors in Jefferson were mystified with her sudden coupling with newcomer Homer Barron. They can’t believe Emily would be interested in a common â€Å"Yankee†. 11. â€Å"We learned that Miss Emily had been to the jeweler’s and ordered a man’s toilet set in silver, with the letters H. B. on each piece. Two days later we learned that she had bought a complete outfit of men’s clothing, including a nightshirt, and we said, â€Å"They are married. † We were really glad. We were glad because the two female cousins were even more Grierson than Miss Emily had ever been. † 12. He was let into Emily’s kitchen door at dusk one evening. 13. They spinkled lime because of a foul smell emanating from the house. 14. They find Homer’s corpse on the bed and they realize that the space next to him has been used, and they find one of Emily’s gray hairs on the pillow. 15. Homer Baron was murdered and on the other pillow was some grey hair from Miss Emily.

Positive and Negative Effects of Having Boyfriend/Girlfriend

â€Å"Determination for Nature† It was 3:00 am, June 30, 2012. This day is Pista Y ang Cagueban, where all citizens of Puerto Princesa were ask to participate in planting a tree. It’s still dark that time but through the help of lights around the city Coliseum we are able to saw our group. Everyone was excited for the trucks to came, but the happiness was replaced by irritation of waiting the right truck for us. It was 6:30 am but the truck is not arriving yet. Others use their time talking to each other while the others keep silent.Different ways to enjoy that moment. Of course together with our ever supportive teacher Ma’am Meorom who guide us what to do. And the thing we have been waiting for finally came so we leave. But going to Irawan is not really easy, through our way riding that truck, we feel tension because every time the truck is turning it makes an impact to us which is a dangerous one. But with the determination we did it, but we have to walk severa l miles to reach the venue, as we our footwear’s don’t look as it is before our footwear’s looks messy that time.But we enjoy walking because we knew that we are doing this for our mother earth. Going there requires patience and determination without it we are not able to do it. Then you will realize that all the effort you had put will be replaced by the feeling you have if you reached that place. The trees are tall, the air is fresh, and everything there was perfect. Together with my classmates we did it successfully and it is our turn to do something to our nature. Some students plants mahogany and others plant bamboo.After we finished planting we use that moment for taking pictures together. I’m so happy that day because even though that place is difficult to go through many peoples did it, so it means there are still people who are concerned with nature. As we walk through our way home, I had remembered a person said â€Å"You can do things possible if you will exert determination on it†. By:Deocelle BSED I-A

Socially Responsible Companies in Europe Research Paper - 1

Socially Responsible Companies in Europe - Research Paper Example The paper tells that many companies in various continents treat corporate social responsibility as a key aspect of their company survival technique. It has evolved from being a value-added concept of management to on being among the key concepts. This is because consumers evaluate theirs produces depending on how friendly they are to the environment and their conformance to most of the international laws that business ethics demand be met. Many European companies are among the leading socially responsible companies in the present society. This is true because Europe gets ranked as one of the greatest markets in the world. For this reason, the companies that operate in this zone must be willing to impress their consumers. The FTSE index provides the best tool in monitoring corporate socially responsible companies, in Europe, and the remaining parts of the world. The reshuffle of leading global responsible investment index series provides information on the companies that have adhered to environmental and social laws in the internal business arena. Companies get to fluctuate from one position to another because social laws change daily, and an organization will not be able to conform to each and every that is passed. In addition, not all corporate laws are universal. One of the most common companies that are socially responsible in Europe is Microsoft Europe. This is a company that was invented by Bill Gates and Paul Allen way back in 1975 and has since with co-operation with other companies revolutionized the software computing industry. As a software company, Microsoft does not face common responsibility in terms of social and environmental laws like other production companies. This is because it does not pollute the environment or utilize much of its resources. Despite this, social responsibility has been key to the company because it has since been expanding into different countries that harbor different social values. Microsoft has also been aware of the sec urity issue their customers get to face on the internet, hence introducing free protective softwares such as windows defender. They have also included a vast number of language packs for their software users, hence allowing their products to be used by almost everybody in the world.

Juvenile Probation Programs, Institutions, and Aftercare Programs Assignment

Juvenile Probation Programs, Institutions, and Aftercare Programs - Assignment Example Over the past few years, numerous juvenile programs have been implemented in many parts of the country with the major aim of coming up with programs that reduce recidivism, impart useful crime-avoidance knowledge and ensure that youthful offenders make a turn for the better after their initial interaction with the system. Introduction This paper looks at a couple of these juvenile programs in depth. Specifically aimed at providing teen offenders with an opportunity to not only change their lives after the completion of their initial custodial or other sentence but also equips them with the ability to ensure that they do not again end up in correctional facilities as adults. These programs have been set up in different ways depending on the types and frequency of crimes that the youths in the particular location are prone to but have applicability in wider settings and can be adapted for use in other areas with minimal changes to ensure successful implementation. The suitability of th ese programs in new locations and whether or not they are going to fail or succeed depends a great deal in utilizing the lessons learned in the initial implementations and using these to adequately tailor responses that more immediately suit local requirements. 1. The first program is the Community Restitution and Apprenticeship Focused Training (Project CRAFT). Since 1994, Project CRAFT has served more than 2,000 high-risk youth at 15 sites in ten states (Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas). Project CRAFT currently operates at nine sites in four states, including Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Mississippi. The program is designed to offer treatment, prerelease and aftercare services for juvenile offenders between the ages of 16 and 21. The project can be implemented as either a residential Juvenile correctional program or as a community based one for post-correctional facility aftercare or for youth un der daycare treatment supervision. CRAFT involves ten different components including outreach and recruitment which orients program partners – parents, participants and offender advocates as well as community meetings. Assessment and screening also include prospective employers of youth who then pursue the youth progress through training programs and trade-related academics. Youth that require substance abuse treatment are also enrolled in these programs as required. Finally the program has a community transition and follow-up component which includes job placement, job development as well as other aftercare services (NCWD/Youth, 2013). The other program is the Tampa, Florida headquartered AMIkids program which operates 50 sites across several states – Florida, New Mexico, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Louisiana. This day attendance and residential program comprises academics, treatment, experiential education and behavior modification. T he AMIKids program has eight components: education grade improvements challenge and team building experiences, cognitive-behavioral therapy, a strong strength-based case management, positive behavior modification, home and family partnership, individual and group problem-solving and social skills development, and community service. The AMIKids program approach is based on evidence-based theoretical perspectives and treatment interventions found in empirical