An Introduction to Special Education

The Six Phases of Project Management - 3073 Words

1. The six phases of project management This chapter provides a sketch of the traditional method of project management. The model that is discussed here forms the basis for all methods of project management. Later chapters go into more depth regarding a model that is particularly appropriate for IT-related projects. Dividing a project into phases makes it possible to lead it in the best possible direction. Through this organisation into phases, the total work load of a project is divided into smaller components, thus making it easier to monitor. The following paragraphs describe a phasing model that has been useful in practice. It includes six phases: 1. Initiation phase 2. Definition phase 3. Design phase 4.†¦show more content†¦How many files are to be archived? Should the metadata conform to the Data Documentation Initiative format, or will the Dublin Core (DC) format suffice? May files be deposited in their original format, or will only those that conform to the Preferred Standards be accepted? Must the depositor of a dataset ensure that it has been processed adequately in the archive, or is this the responsibility of the archivist? Which guarantees will be made on the results of the project? The list of questions goes on and on. Figure 2: Expectations of a project (Illustration: Rachà ¨l Harmsen) It is important to identify the requirements as early in the process as possible. Wijnen (2004) distinguishes several categories of project requirements that can serve as a memory aid: * Preconditions * Functional requirements * Operational requirements * Design limitations Preconditions form the context within which the project must be conducted. Examples include legislation, working-condition regulations and approval requirements. These requirements cannot be influenced from within the project. Functional requirements are requirements that have to do with the quality of the project result (e.g. how energy-efficient must an automobile be or how many rooms must a new building have?). Operational requirements involve the use of the project result. For example, after a software project has been realised,Show MoreRelatedLean Teams And Six Sigma1546 Words   |  7 PagesAs a management system, six sigma permeates all aspects of an organization. Many of those who have had the opportunity to participate in six sigma projects have experienced the transformation of six sigma principles and concepts into the fabric of the management system of the companies in which they are employed by witnessing improvements that will have continuous, long term influences with in the company. This is accomplished by creating alignment within the company leadership. Six sigma offers aRead MoreImplementation Of A Project Team Formed And A Manager From Procurement Department834 Words   |  4 Pages1. Define Phase implementation: A Project Team was formed and a manager from the procurement department had the following responsibilities. This phase deals with defining. †¢ Review the tools and techniques. †¢ Responsible for all the project deliverables. †¢ Responsible to meet the deadlines. †¢ Review the deliverables from process perspective. 2. Measure phase implementation: This phase dealt with the measurement by considering the current levels of procurement levels and measuring them with the dataRead MoreComparing Lean And Six Sigma Alpha Sigma1640 Words   |  7 PagesResubmit question 2. Contrast and compare lean and six sigma sigma teams. You may want to consult your Six sigma Sigma textbook (The Six sigma Sigma Black Belt Handbook by McCarty, Daniels, Bremer and]] [Gupta) since it contains extended discussions about these teams. Thinks of what skills team members need to have, how the teams are organized, what kind of problems they solve. For instance, lean teams may solve sporadic problem while six sigma sigma team may solve chronic problems that may not beRead MoreQuality Management Using Six Sigma1281 Words   |  6 PagesQuality Management Using Six Sigma Over the last thirty years, the views on quality management shifting from a focus on product inspection and problem identification to the theme that product quality is determined by the process used to produce the product (Jayaraman, Kannabiran, Kumar, 2013; Kerzner, 2013). As a result many quality/process improvement initiatives and methodologies have been developed over the last few decades; one such methodology is known as Six Sigma and has become the mostRead MoreThe Six Sigma And Tools1648 Words   |  7 Pages2.3. Six sigma and tools The Six Sigma improvement method is problem-focused and its main objectives are decreasing scrap, earning income and creating value (Saghaei et al, 2012). Motorola developed this concept in 1986. There were three meanings of six sigma provided by Brue (2006). It is the level of quality that a process assures, it is a problem solving methodology and lastly it is a management philosophy. Alternatively it is also said to be a project driven approach to process and product qualityRead MoreLean Manufacturing And Six Sigma1657 Words   |  7 Pagescustomers. Lean Manufacturing and Six-sigma approach has been applied in diverse manufacturing processes which in-turn has contributed significantly in achieving continuous improvements. By utilizing these tools, organizations focus on maximizing their bottom-line successes apart from improving their top-line growth. However, many organizations face difficulties while imparting these tools in their sophisticated business models. 2. 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Euthanasia Report free essay sample

The report will also outline the group of people involved in this issue and the differing arguments/opinions related to the debate on legalisation of Euthanasia. Euthanasia is a growing political and moral debate that continues to become a major headline in today’s media (Wikipedia, 1996). Euthanasia otherwise known as â€Å"assisted suicide† is the attempt to take away the life of someone who suffers from severe medical problems. This has resulted in many accusing the legalisation of Euthanasia as having a negative impact on the society. Meanwhile, there are also others who believe that the legalisation of Euthanasia is beneficial for terminally ill patients and their families. While a large group in the society believe that the legalisation of Euthanasia brings a negative impact both socially and morally, there are also others who view the step of legalising Euthanasia as a beneficial step for terminally ill patients and their families. The main participants involved in this debate are the terminally ill atients, their families, the medical practitioners, as well as members of the society who view the legalisation of Euthanasia as a negative impact towards society and other who are in support of legalising Euthanasia. We will write a custom essay sample on Euthanasia Report or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page   Arguments against legalising Euthanasia 5. 1. 1 There is an alternative to Euthanasia in terms of its purpose A large number of doctors are against the idea of Euthanasia. The main reason being that they feel there is a better alternative to Euthanasia in terms of its purpose. Dr.Ravenscroft (2006) supports this view by stating that he feels terminally ill patients should be given palliative care. This would help them to reduce their sufferings as well as gives them a sense of support. He believes that palliative care would lessen pain and make the patient feel comfortable whereas Euthanasia could cause them distress. Wright (2011) has argued that most families of terminally ill patients would rather have the patient undergo palliative care as this gives the patient some form of hope and sense of belonging. Furthermore, research also shows that 85% of terminally ill patients who are given palliative care live at least 6 months longer than expected. (Palliative Care Australia, 2005) 5. 1. 2 Violation of the Hippocratic Oath Kass (2005) quoted that â€Å"The prohibition against killing patients stands as the first promise of self-restraint sworn to in the Hippocratic Oath, as medicines primary taboo: I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect’† He claimed that legalising Euthanasia would mean that doctors are going against the fundamental principle of the Hippocratic Oath. He believes that the main value restraining a physician from performing Euthanasia is not the choice of the patient but the pureness and elementary law of the Hippocratic Oath that confines a doctor from doing anything that will harm his patient’s life. Crippen (2010) concluded that most doctors find it disrespectful to perform Euthanasia as it means they have to go against their basic oath of being a doctor. They would rather perform their duties as a proper medical practitioner by best avoiding the step of Euthanasia. 5. 2 Arguments for legalising Euthanasia . 2. 1 Opportunity to have a painless death The legalisation of Euthanasia would allow terminally ill patients an opportunity to experience a painless death. Brock (1992) wrote that â€Å"One last good consequence of legalizing euthanasia is that once death has been accepted, it is often more humane to end life quickly and peacefully, when that is what the patient wants† He believes that in most cases when a patie nt is terminally ill, he or she would rather experience a painless death full of dignity than have palliative care. This is probably because the patient would rather die peacefully than experience a period of excruciating pain and depression. Dr. Maisie (2012) has argued that in most cases, terminally ill patients wish to end their life as a step to end their sufferings and reduce the family’s burden. In countries where Euthanasia is legalised such as Belgium, patients often state in their wills that they wish to be euthanatized in the case where they end up being terminally ill. 5. 2. 2 Government involvement in end-of-life decisions A reader wrote in Los Angeles Times (2005) that Well all die. But in an age of increased longevity and medical advances, death can be suspended, sometimes indefinitely, and no longer slips in according to its own immutable timetable† The reader said that decisions that involve an end-of-life situation for terminally ill patients should not be left to the government, judges or lawmakers. As a matter of fact, it is something that the family and loved ones need to collaboratively decide. The government should legalise for the family members of a terminally ill patient to ask for Euthanasia as sometimes, this would be the best option in such a situation.

Marxism in Development Geography

Introduction Marxist Geography is critical in nature, and it utilizes philosophy and theories of Marxism to look at the spatial relations of human Geography. Marxist Geography attempts to change the world as well as explaining it.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Marxism in Development Geography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marxism perceives human beings as gradually transforming or changing themselves in stages until social perfection is reached (Peet, 1977). This transformation is viewed as an aim towards which society should be moving. The change is brought forth by dialectical systems bringing about a new process which is again contradicted and the process is replicated (Richard 1985). To effectively be able to comprehend geographical relations, it is important that the social-structure be observed. Marxism Geography tries to change the society by changing its basic structure. The forces behind the changing society are seen as entities which are the modes of production. They include capital, labour, class, capitalism, the market, the state and society. Marxist geography looks at the conflicting forces between social processes and the natural relations together with the spatial relations. It revolves around the modes of production which mold the social structure, remold it continuously to form the superstructure of the society. This paper will critically look at Marxism geography of development (Kitchen and Thrift, 2009). Marxism in Development Geography David Harvey (1973) is the primary developer of the Marxist movement in human geography. According to Marxist geography, social formations of capitalism give birth to environmental and spatial problems, for example, destructions of habitats and uneven employment. It studies the inherent capitalism contradictions as they appear in landscape and relate with each other (Yeung, 2005). This theory will explore the geographical p aradigms brought out in Marxism geography, detailing the principles of Marxist geography with reference to the concepts of space and place. Kuhn (1962) came with the idea of paradigms and argued that periods dominated by one research mode, in science, are separated by periods of rapid change (Haggett 1990). Paradigms are described by Harvey (1973: 120) as a set of accepted relationships, categories, concepts and methods, throughout a community at given time. Anomalies occur over time that cannot be explained by the existing paradigms. These accumulations continue to a point where it calls for investigation (Hagget 1990).Advertising Looking for critical writing on geography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Revolution and creation of new paradigms may result when problems created by the anomalies are attempted to be solved (Harvey 1973). Marxism perceives human beings as gradually transforming or changing themselves in stages un til social perfection is reached. The Marxist geographers heavily depend on Marxist economic and social theories to show how the means of production in capitalist structures, control the human spatial distribution. By changing the workings of production, Marxist geography aims at changing the fundamental operations of social processes. This leads to investigations being done which leads to revolution and creation of new paradigms. Kuhn’s analysis may not directly, be relevant to the evolution and structure of geography, but, its three elements can explain what has happened with the discipline (Johnston, 1997). Marxist geography is composed of a disciplinary matrix paradigm which has shared values with social theory world view paradigm, in contrast with spatial science geography (Johnston, 1997). Human geography as explained by Johnston (1997) is a multiple discipline paradigm which is effectively in competition. Johnston’s view contradicts Kuhn’s view of a new p aradigm which is almost universally accepted. Development of Marxism geography Marxist geography came into existence as a response to criticism on spatial geography, which dominated the, period (Richard 1985). Cox (2005) is of the view that the creation of the new paradigms is not a cheap process. Combining of the various bits and pieces of the Marxist world view ends up with quite an eclectic mix of concepts. A Marxism in favor of exchange and competition instead of class and production, for instance it might be simply a concern of unequal outcomes (Cox 2005. 3). Marxism geography underwent a quantitative revolution other than the historical preoccupation with description of unique places in details. Instead, this new science identified universal spatial laws, and concerned with applying scientific methods and creating models which could predict spatial patterns and human behavior (Cloke et al 1991).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Marxism in Devel opment Geography specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Spatial science according to Johnston et al (2000) was based on a belief in positivism where observation, repetition and empirical research could be done, tested, verified and spatial laws of science uncovered. Humanistic geography was also in line with the Marxist geography in criticizing the spatial approach. It was in respect to spatial analysis also to the emergent Marxist geography (Cox 2004). In Duncan and Ley (1982) paper, it was featured as a deterministic and economistic approach. Humanistic geography however, lacked strong theoretical underpinnings which dismissed it as a credible response to the challenge posed by the Marxist geography. The now called ‘the new cultural geography’ is the response that emerged in the early eighties. Criticism of spatial science developed along two distinct lines. It did not consider the processes of independence and creativity amo ng human beings, and it also ignored the effects of political, economical and social structures in developing spatial patterns (Cloke et al 1991). These two factors developed the humanist, in the first instance, and radical, in the second instance, strands of geography. Marxist geographers incorporated Marxist’s ideas into Geography to come up with Marxist geography (Moseley et al., 2007). Other aspects like feminist geography got hooked up with Marxism and the attraction of the new cultural geography became very strong and dominated the field (Cox 2005). Embracing the universalistic view of Marxism mirrored what was taking place in the real world. Harvey (1973) pointed out that class was, in fact, being sidelined by gender and race as pivots of oppositional politics in the United States. Harvey (1985a) outlines Marxist analysis key ideas, modes of production, which are the ways in which daily social life is produced reproduced and replicated. Marxism main focus is on the cap italist mode of production, and he outlines the need for continued circulation of capital, profit being its core motive. Continuous circulation of capital can only be maintained if there is continuous expansion of commodities produced value and; hence economic growth is achieved. Marxism major achievement was the identification and understanding of exploitation as central in capitalist form of development (Cox 2004). The relations of production that necessitated exploitation in the work place extended the same to the living place through commoditization of the living place (Harvey 1985b).Advertising Looking for critical writing on geography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Critical human geographers argue that exploitation instead of being an essential of capitalism, it occurs in times at particular places depending on the circumstances. The economic growth achieved as a result of continuous expansion of commodity values, expects workers to increase the value in production by giving more in production, than they are given in exchange for their labor. They, therefore, provide profits to the owners of modes of production. This gives rise to class relations in that capitalists who own the means of production prosper from the profits they get from exploiting the laborers, who in turn continue to be exploited. The workers must sell their labor for them to survive, and the owners of production continue exploiting them, hence replication of capitalism and exploitation (Marx, 1970). This perspective is incorporated in the Marxism geography to help change the society by facing the problems facing them, which is majorly capitalism. Harvey (1985a) echoes Marxism notion that capitalism has inherent conflicts, which make it, subject to crisis. For example, capitalists will seek to use technology to replace living labor in order to diminish the powers of workers by gaining competitive advantage (Brenner, 1977). This is in contrast with the fact that human workers are needed to the value expansion of commodities, the maintenance of capital circulation and creation of profits for the owners of production. Marxism’s belief is that capitalism will eventually fail because of these contradictions and, this will pave the way for a new mode of production (Marx Engels, 1978). Marxism geography not only criticized the spatial geographers for not taking account of the factors. They discovered in capitalist socio- economic and political causes of patterns in geography. They also criticized it for claiming objectivity through the support of positivism and the use of scientific methods. Research, argued by the radical geographers can never be value free. The choice of what to study also requires judgment in value. Therefore, stating research values should be done and clearly stated. Marxism geography has come under a lot of criticism, being challenged by newer and developing ideas like cultural geography, postmodernism and feminism, though they later integrated themselves into Marxism geography making it the main idea in the field (Cox 2004). For example, Howell (et al 2003) looks at class as only one factor in social patterns development, while there are others like ethnicity, sexuality, gender, color, language and even race. Rose, a feminist (1993, cited Holloway et al (2003) criticizes its male dominated analysis. Marxism geography has been questioned due to the backdrop of the changing world events and even the collapse of socialist states. Conclusion Space and place are the key concepts within the concept of Marxist geography. Some of the core ideas of Marxism geography can be deduced from the way the concepts of space a nd place have been analyzed. Marxist analysis reveals contradiction within capitalism through the analysis of space and place. This is explained by Harvey (1982), as because capitalism will try to unify and integrate space. Marxism developed from criticism of spatial science and dominated the social theory of geography. Some of the criticisms have been integrated into the Marxist geography making it dominant. Marxist geography looks at space as a social construction and looks at the connections between places (Smith, 1984). It is a vital and essential element in the geographical discipline development and potions of its analysis have been and still are widely accepted over the past 30 years. It is, however, facing the challenges of maintaining its importance and relevance in the face of emerging new ideas, changing times, and an overall changing world. Humanistic geography, which provides most, criticism to Marxist geography, ironically is seen as lacking in explaining the behaviora l constraints brought about by the social structures and the social agencies. References Brenner R. (1977). â€Å"The origin of capitalist development: a critique of Neo-Smithian Marxism.† New left review, 104: 25- 92. Cloke, P. et al, (1991). Approaching Human Geography: An Introduction to Contemporary Theoretical Debates. London: Paul Chapman Publishing. Haggett, P. (1990).The Geographer’s Art, Oxford: Blackwell. Harvey, D. (1973). Social Justice and the City. London: Edward Arnold. Harvey, D. (1982). The Limits to Capital. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Harvey, D. (1985a). The Geopolitics of Capitalism, in Gregory. D. and Urry, J. eds (1985) Social Relations and Spatial Structures. Critical Human Geography. London. Harvey, D. (1985b). Consciousness and the Urban Experience. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Holloway, S. et al. (2003). Key Concepts in Geography, London: Sage. Johnston, R. (1997). Geography and Geographers, (5th Ed). London: Arnold. Johnston, et al. (2000). The Dict ionary of Human Geography, (4th Ed). Oxford: Blackwell. Smith, N. (1984). Uneven Development. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Cox R. K. (2004). â€Å"Globalization, the class relations and democracy†. Geo Journal. 60: 31- 41. Cox R. K. (2005). From Marxist geography to critical geography and back again. Department of geography Ohio University. Ohio State University. Columbus. Duncan J. and Ley D. (1982). Structural Marxism and human geography: a critical assessment. Association of American Geographers: Annal. 72: 30- 59. Kitchen, R and Thrift, N. (2009). International encyclopedia of human geography. London: Elsevier. Marx, K. Engels, F. (1978). The German ideology. International publishers. New York. Marx, K. (1970). Capitalism, Volume 1. Moscow: Progress Publishers. Moseley, W. et al (Ed). (2007). The Introductory Reader in Human Geography: contemporary debates and classic writings. Oxford: Blackwell. Peet, R. (ed) (1977). Radical geography. Chicago: Maaroufa Pres. Richard J. (19 85). â€Å"An introduction to Marxist Geography.† Journal of Geography, 84(1): 5-10. Yeung, H. W. (2005). â€Å"Rethinking relational economic geography.† Institute of British Geographers, 30: 37–51. This critical writing on Marxism in Development Geography was written and submitted by user Houston Hendricks to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.