Financial Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial - Assignment Example A financial manager can buy a large lot of stocks if the prices of stocks are lower. Valuation Principle The valuation principle can help financial managers make financial decisions regarding whether or not to buy a common stock. The use of valuation models can help a manager determine the intrinsic value of a corporation. The application of stock valuation models can be used to determine if the market price of a stock is over or under valued. Common stocks that have a value lower than the market price should not be purchased, while stock whose valuation exceeds in the market price should be purchased. Net Present Value The net present value is an analytical tool that can be used to make capital decisions. The NPV takes into consideration all the inflows and outflows of money associated with a project to determine whether a project should be accepted or rejected (Besley & Brigham, 2000). Another important element of the NPV calculation is the fact the NPV incorporates the time value of money. The time value of money adjusts the values in order to consider inflation. Most corporate finance books have time value of money tables. According to the NPV a project should be rejected when the value of the NPV is negative. A project is accepted when the value is positive. The use of NPV calculation can be used to compare different projects.

Report on Sir Isaac Newton Essay Example for Free

Report on Sir Isaac Newton Essay Sir Isaac Newton was an English mathematician and physicist. He was considered one of the greatest scientists in history. Newton was also the culminating figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Newton was best known for his discovery that the force called gravity affects all objects in space and on earth. .Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642, in the hamlet of Wollsthorpe, Lincolnshire (R.S.W. 17) His Father died only three months before he was born (Sir Isaac Newton 1). When he was three years old Isaacs mother, Hanna, placed him with his grandmother so that she could remarry a man named Barnabas Smith, a wealthy man from North Witham (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 1). When his mother returned to Woolsthorpe in 1653, Newton was withdrawn from school to fulfill his birthright as a farmer. Newton failed at farming, and returned to Kings School at Grantham to prepare for entrance to Trinity College, Cambridge. A turning point in Newtons life was when he left Woolsthorpe for Cambridge University in June of 1661 (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 1). Although Cambridge was a marvelous center of learning, the spirit of the scientific revolution had yet to enter its curriculum. In 1665 Isaac Newton took his bachelors degree at Cambridge without honors or distinction (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 2). In 1665 the university was closed because of the plague. At this time Newton returned to Woolsthorpe. There, in the following 18 months, he began revolutionary advances in mathematics, optics, physics, and astronomy (J. A. Schuster 1). During the plague years, Isaac Newton laid the foundation for elementary differential and integral Calculus. He invented the method of fluxions which was based on his crucial insight that finding the area under its curve is the inverse procedure to finding the slope of the curve at any point (J. A. Schuster 1). Also during the plague years he made remarkable discoveries in optics. He had reached the conclusion that white light is not a simple, homogeneous entity. He proved this by passing a thin beam of sunlight through a glass prism which created a spectrum of colors on the wall opposite. Isaac argued that white light is a mixture of many different types  of rays, that the different types of rays are refracted at slightly different angles, and that each type of ray is responsible for producing a given color (J. A. Schuster 2). Newtons greatest work was in physics and celestial mechanics. In 1666, Newton had formulated early visions of his three laws of motion (J.A. Schuster 3). Also during these years he examined the elements of circular motion and, applying his analysis to the moon and the planets, found the inverse square relation that the radially directed force acting on a planet decreases with the square of its distance from the sun. This was later crucial to the law of universal gravitation (Sir Isaac Newton 3). When the University of Cambridge reopened after the plague in 1667, Newton put himself forward as a candidate for a fellowship (Sir Isaac Newton 3). He was elected to a minor fellowship at Trinity College but, after being awarded his Masters Degree, he was elected to a senior fellowship in 1668. Before he had reached his 27th birthday, he succeeded Isaac Barrow as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 2). In 1672, shortly after his election to the Royal Society, he communicated his first public paper, a controversial study on the nature of color (Sir Isaac Newton 4). The paper was generally well received but Hooke and Huygens objected to Newtons attempt to prove, by experiment alone, that light consists of the motion of small particles rather than waves. Although his hypotheses was not convincing, his ideas about scientific method won universal assent along with his corpuscular theory. These reigned until the wave theory was revived in the early 19th century (Newton, Sir Isaac 2). Newtons relations with Hooke soured. Newton withdrew from public discussion for about a decade. After 1675, he devoted himself to chemical and alchemical researches. He postponed the publication of a full account of his optical researches until after the death of Hooke in 1703. Newtons Opticks appeared in 1704. Newtons Opticks dealt with the theory of light and color and with Newtons investigations of the colors of thin sheets. It also contained Newtons Rings and the phenomenon of diffraction of light  (Newton, Sir Isaac 2). In 1689, Newton was elected to represent Cambridge in Parliament. During his stay in London he became acquainted with John Locke, the famous philosopher, and Nicolas Fatio de Duillier, a brilliant young mathematician who became a friend. In 1693, however, Newton suffered a severe nervous disorder (Dr. Robert A Hatch 4). There are many interpretations to the cause of this disorder. Some of these interpretations include overworked, the stress of controversy, and perhaps mercury poisoning the result of nearly three decades of alchemical research. After his recovery Newton sought a new position in London. In 1696 Newton was appointed Warden and then Master of the Mint (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 4). In 1703, Newton was elected president of the Royal Society and was annually reelected until his death (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 5). In 1705 Isaac Newton was knighted (Margret C. Jacob 390). His time as president has been described as cruel, and his control over the lives and careers of younger disciples was all but absolute. Newton could not stand for contradiction or controversy; his quarrels with Hooke provided a single example. Later disputes, as president of the Royal Society, Newton used all the forces he could muster. An example of this is when he published Flamsteeds astronomical observations without the authors permission. In the end, the actions of the Society were extensions of Newtons will. Until his death Newton dominated the landscape of science without rival (Dr. Robert A. Hatch 5). Issac Newton died in London on March 20, 1727 (R.S.W. 20). In conclusion, Sir Issac Newton was one of the greatest scientists in history. Newton was also the culminating figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Many of his theories have become foundations for many areas of science.

Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Designs

Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Designs Buildability is increasingly become a major requirement in building construction practice. The aim of buildability is use to improve the efficiency of overall building process by developing construction sensitive designs. Nowadays, in Malaysia construction industry, there have facing a lot of problem that will impede the project to process smoothly. In this research, it will highlight what buildability is. Through this we can deeply understand what buildability is and how important it was in the construction industry. Moreover, in this research, we wish to find out and identify the buildability attributes in building design in Malaysia construction industry. There are many buildability attributes have affecting in the building design. If the constructions proceed without a good buildability management, it will bring many problems to the project. So in this research, besides that identifying the buildability attributes, we also wish to find out the importance level for each of these attributes. AIM This report are aim to find out the factors that affect buildability of building design in the Malaysian construction industry. OBJECTIVE In order to achieve the aim of the report, the following are the objectives of this research To study what is buildability and factors may affect it in building design To find out and identify the buildability attributes in building design in the Malaysian construction industry To measure the level of importance of different buildability attributes Research Methodology Literature Review The purpose of the literature review is given us to understanding what buildability in the construction industry is and how important it was. This research methodology may include definitions, ideas and practices of related topics. Besides that, we can study and review to the relevant books, journals, internet and etc., as known as secondary data, that related to the topic buildability. Through those review sources, the important point will be noted down and convenience for us to writing the literature review. The below are showing that the literature search that will be carried out:- Define the definition of buildability/ constructability Define the principle and concept of buildability/ constructability Determine the factor affecting buildability in building design in construction Determine the building attributes and the level of importance for each attribute Questionnaire Questionnaire is recommended as one of the research method, because it is easier for analyzing the data, economical and the hypothesis can be tested. Questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and/or in difference grouping for the purpose of gathering the information from respondents. To gain more information of this research, copies of questionnaire will be sent out to the construction companies and they are needed to express their opinions based on their experience. In this questionnaire, there are empty spaces provide for the respondents to giving their comment or suggest other building attributes which are not included. This questionnaire will target to the professionals such as architect, engineer, project manager, quantity surveyor and others in the contractor industry firm in Malaysia. From the research title, to determine the level of importance of buildability attributes in this research, the classification of the rating scales is used. The questionnaire is based on LIKERT SCALE format. It is a widely used instrument in measuring opinions. A likert item is simply a statement which the respondent is asked to evaluate according to any kind of subjective or objective criteria and generally the level of agreement or disagreement is measured. 5 point likert scale being used as it may produce slightly higher mean scores relative to the highest attainable score. This will be carried out in the final stage of research methodology. The results/ comments get from the respondents will be analyze and present in table or graph in order to provide a clearer view of overall research with writing up the contents of the dissertation. Besides this, analysis and interpretation would be done to gather all the information and data. DISSERTATION ORGANIZATION Chapter 1- Introduction Chapter 1 provides an introduction of the chapter that giving a brief about our proposal. In this chapter it includes introduction/ background, problem statement, aim, objectives, research methodology and working program for the dissertation. Chapter 2 Literature Review Through the review of literature/ articles related to our research topic the important point will be written in this chapter. Journals, books and information from the internet will be the source of the information or data to doing this buildability title dissertation. This chapter are aim to provide a main picture of the knowledge to us before the research is carried out. Chapter 3 Research Design and Methodology Questionnaire will be designed based on the objective and information that we want to find out. These questionnaires will be sent to different construction industry companies in Malaysia to collect data to conduct next step of dissertation. Chapter 4 Data Analysis and Results Discussions The collected information from the respondents will be evaluated and analyzed in table or graph with explanation. Chapter 5 Conclusions This chapter will conclude and recommend the overall results of the survey for further research. REFERENCES Crowther,.P. Design For Buildability and The Deconstruction Consequences, Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse, CIB Publication 272. Lam, P.T.I., Wong, F.K.W., Wong, F.W.H. 2007. Building features and site-specific factors affecting buildability in Hong Kong, Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol 5, No 2. Mydin S.H., Zin R.M., Majid M.Z.A, Zahidi M. and Memon A.H. 2011. Buildability Attributes at Design Phase In Malaysian Building Construction, International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 1. Wong, F.W.H, Lam, P.T.I, Chan, E.H.W. and Wong F.K.W. 2006. Factors Affecting Buildability of Building Design, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 33.7, pg 79 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW INTRODUCTION Buildability or constructability has a huge area of study and it was very important in a construction industry. The aim of these literature reviews are to study and highlight the area that the buildability attributes that may affect the building design in Malaysia construction industry. The first reviews that will focus in this chapter are definition of buildability, then coming up with the principles and concepts of buildability which have defined by different countries. Moreover, this review also focuses on the factors that may affect the buildability by identify the buildability attributes in building design. BUILDABILITY/CONSTRUCTABILITY DEFINITION OF BUILDABILITY Since the buildability is important in the construction industry, so there are many researchers from different countries has identified and defined buildability based on their studies. Based on the several articles study and resources, it found that the one of the widely definition that can be accepted which is define by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), 1983, it stated that the buildability is the extent to which the design of a building facilitates ease of construction, subject to the overall requirements for the completed building (Wong, Lam, Chan and Wong, 2006B.p. 796). Besides the definition defined by CIRIA, there also have another definition which was founded with specific aim of improving the construction total quality management and the overall cost effectiveness and defined as constructability is the effective and timely integration of construction knowledge into the conceptual planning, design, construction and field operation of a project to achieve the overall project objectives in the best possible time and accuracy at the most cost-effective level by Construction Industry Institute (as known as CII) in year 1986 (Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796). According to The Construction Industry in Australia (CIIA), Griffith and Sidwell (1997), has defined constructability as a system to integrate if construction knowledge in the project delivery process and balancing the various project and environmental constraints to achieve the project goals and building performance at the optimal level.(Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796) Buildability Performance Research Group (BPRG), Chen and McGeorge (1994), defined buildability as the extent to which decisions, made during the whole building procurement process, ultimately facilitate the ease of construction and the quality of the completed project which buildability as a management to goals the project by recognize the factors affected the project (Eng, 2002.p. 117). In the other hand, there are other researchers have derived their own definitions based on their studying in buildability, such as:- Ferguson (1989); buildability was defined as the ability to construct a building efficiently economically and to agreed quality levels from its constituent materials, components and sub-assemblies (Wong, et.al, 2006B.p. 796.) Williams (1982); buildability was defined as the most economic and efficient way of putting a building together.(Yang, 2004) Illingworth (1984); buildability was defined as a design and details which recognize the assembly process in achieving the desired result safety and at least cost to the client.(Yang, 2004) In year 1996, Moore has modified the definition defined by Illingworth as a design philosophy, which is recognizes and addresses the problems of the assembly process in achieving the construction of the design product, both safety and without resort to standardization or project level simplification.(Yang, 2004) Lueprasert (1996), constructability has defined as an important characteristic of structural design and site conditions of construction project which determines the level of complexity of executing the correlative structural assembly tasks.(Yang, 2004) Moreover, there are few researchers believed that constructability are significantly different with buildability. The differences between buildability and constructability are that buildability is a design-oriented concept but constructability is concern the whole project processing. But also have some researchers thought that there are no difference between buildability and constructability, the only is buildability is usually used in UK and constructability is often used in USA. (Yang, 2004) PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF BUILDABILITY According to Eng, (2002, p. 112), Buildability or Constructability has been used and evolved in the construction management in the late 1970s in United Kingdom, but its potential was not been fully exploited in construction industry at the time. Nowadays, buildability is increasingly become an integral part of the construction industry in many countries because it was a technique used to manage the construction process during the pre-construction stage. According to Low et.al, (2008), buildability aim is to ensure the impacts of design details are recognized and considered in the earlier stage to reduce and/or prevent errors, delays and allows a cost control to the overall project others. Together with this, it will enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the industry. Moreover, Low study also stated the summarized of buildability principles that defined by some researchers such as Adams (1989), Ferguson (1989), Gray (1984), Griffith and Sidwell (1995), Tatum (1987) and other s as shown as below:- Efficiency and economical building production; to ensure efficient and economical production of a building, a logical organization of the sequence of assembly is necessary. The building organization must ensure continuity of construction work by having food management due to labors, machineries and materials delivery to achieve this principle (OConnor, 1985). Simplicity; this principles saying that the designers of the project must try to produce the simplest possible details compatible with the overall requirement for the building especially for the buildings group of elements (Ferguson, 1989; Bishop, 1985). Tolerance Level; the building design should recognize its tolerances which are normally attainable under site conditions. Different the materials and components used on site have its different composition and different jointing methods required. Therefore, practical level of tolerance adopted is necessary for the materials and components (Ferguson, 1989). Innovation; use any innovative ideas that can enhance the buildability of a project. The contractor should try to bring in new machineries or methods of working that can improve the productivity and allow construction process more efficiency. Before bring in the ideas, consideration of the level of skills available in industry is required. (Tatum, 1987). Proper scheduling; a good scheduling of works may allow construction proceed smoothly and right on track. The construction sequence should be practical to allow for a continuous flow of work to minimize delays of works (Gugel and Russell, 1994). Repetition and standardization; to reduce time consuming for constructions, the building elements should be design that encourages appropriate repetition and standardization, it may help to reduce cost, risk and error by using readily and standard items in construction (Adams, 1989; Ferguson, 1989). Participation and communication; project team members with relevant knowledge should be encourage to participate all level of construction. They can give their opinion and suggestion during early planning stage to reduce problem in future. Clear project information should be planned and coordinated to suit the construction process and facilitate the best possible communication and understanding on site (Fischer and Tatum, 1997). Avoid damage by subsequent works; the design should enable the works that carried out will not have risk of damage due to adjacent finished elements and with minimum requirements for special protection. This would reduce the need for return visits to site to repair damage. By doing few times checking to the completed works is better to reduce the project completion period (OConnor and Tucker, 1986). (Source: Low et.al, 2008) McGeorge and Palmer (1997) have identified that buildability and constructability is the only management concept to have been designed and developed by the construction industry (Eng, 2002). This is because they think that the separation of designs and construction processes is unique to the construction industry. Eng also mentioned that the report in early 1960s, division between the process of design and construction was recognized as contributing to inefficiencies throughout the construction industry. (Eng, 2002).Emmerson (1962) has identified that insufficient documentation before tender, inefficient pre-contract design procedures and lacks of communication among the architects, consultants and contractors appointed are the factors that cause the problem occurred (Eng, 2002). Moreover, Banwell, (1964) suggested that the contractor who is too far from the design stage for his specialized knowledge can be participate in traditional contracting situation. (Eng, 2002.p. 111).In the o ther hand, Banwell report also highlighted that the complexities of modern construction and its requirement for specialized techniques demand that the design process and the construction stage should not be regarded as separate fields of activity. (Eng, 2002.p. 111) EVOLUTION OF BUILDABILITY/CONSTRUCTABILITY CONCEPT Through different groups of researchers, a number of stages in the evolution of the buildability or constructability concept are been identified and related to research efforts in different parts (Eng, 2002). According to Eng (2002) study, it shows the groups of researchers from different countries that have evaluated the evolution of buildability/constructability, which are: Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA); UK Construction Industry Institute (CII); USA Construction Industry Institute of Australia (CIIA) Building Performance Research Group (BPRG); University of Newcastle in Australia In the early research taken by CIRIA and UK researches, they regarded that buildability is problem that arose from the division between builders and designers; led researchers to focus on technical issue and site and construction planning (Gray, 1983; Adam, 1989; Ferguson, 1989). (Eng, 2002.p. 112) Besides that, Eng stated that most industry researchers and commentators are tended to see buildability as a function that is within the influence or control of the designer. Illingworth (1984) has suggested that the problem of buildability was become deteriorate because the designers and professional team are resented contractors involve and giving their opinions during the design stage.(Eng, 2002.p. 112) In addition, CII had used industry case studies to investigate the constructability problem in construction industry to allow the researchers to understanding the issues. This carried out the understanding of different stages of project life cycle which would relate to different issues in constructability (Eng, 2002). Furthermore, CIIA also used the case studies to enable a holistic perspective to be maintained. CIIA have proposed 12 principles would be relevant with different emphases due to the different project life cycle. For BPRG at University of Newcastle in Australia, they started with conceptualize the buildability problem as one that derived from a complex system and they proposed that the concepts of buildability is needed to recognize the factors in a project environment which may affected in the design process, construction process and the link between them (Eng, 2002). CIRIA RESEARCH IN BUILDABILITY The definition of buildability defined by CIRIA has shown at the above. Though that we know that CIRIA definition is focused between designs and construction; the factors has been implied which are solely within the influence or control of the design team those have a significant impact on the ease if construction of a project (Eng, 2002). The concept was recognized as an issue within an integrated design management context. A good buildability are formed based on a building design, structure or other which had been consider in the construction phase with emphasis on the method of construction, activities, sequence of works and way incorporated into the overall design (Eng, 2002). In additional, Eng study had showing the 16 guiding principles for achieving buildability which was identified and developed by Adams (1989), CIRIA, as below:- Investigate thoroughly Consider accessibility at the design stage Consider storage at design stage Design for early enclosure Design for minimum time below ground work Suitable materials use Consider for the local skill available Design for simple assembly Plan for maximize repetition and standardization Maximize the use of plant Allow for sensible tolerances Allow for a practical sequence of operations Plan to avoid change to work Avoid return visits on site; do it right in first time Safe construction design Clearly communication (Source: Adam, (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY DEVELOPTMENT BY CII According to Eng (2002), has mentioned that CII used case studies to identify different of requirements for the planning stage (Tatum et.al, 1986), engineering and procurement phases of a project (OConnor et.al., 1986) and improvement of constructability that able to make during field operations (OConnor and Davis, 1988). In additional, they had identified and presented 6 concepts for the planning stage, 7 concepts for the design and procurement phase and 1 for field operations phase which showing below:- Conceptual Planning Stage Basic design approaches consider major construction methods Constructability programs are an integral part of project of project implementation plans Project planning requires construction knowledge and experience Early construction involvement in the development of contracting strategy Project schedules are construction sensitive Site layouts show efficient of construction Design and Procurement Stage Design for accessibility, materials and equipment Design for construction in adverse weather and remotes locations Design and procurement schedules are construction sensitive Design to enable efficient construction Design elements are standardize Construction and procurement efficiency are specifications developed Design for modularization to facilitate fabrication/transportation Field Operation Contractors use innovative methods (Source: Tatum et.al; OConnor et.al; OConnor and Davis; (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY PRINCIPLES BY CIIA For CIIA, they have review to the work of CII, and some developed construction information within the Australian context (Eng, 2002). At the beginning, they are 17 principles are being identified and tested. In the other hand, more than twenty of the personnel who experienced in construction are given feedback due to this tested. Through the test, Constructability Principles File (CIIA, 1992) has shown 12 concepts of constructability to represent current best practice applicable over five projects life cycle stages, which are feasibility studies stage, conceptual design stage, details design stage, construction stage and post construction stage (Eng, 2002). The twelve principles espoused were:- PRINCIPLESÂ  DESCRIPTION Integration Constructability must be made an integral part of project plan. Construction Knowledge Project planning must actively involve construction knowledge and experience. Team Skills Project team must be appropriate for the project based on their experience, skills and etc. Corporate Objectives Project team understanding against clients corporate and project objective to improve constructability. Available Resources Technology use in design solution must be matched with the skills and resources available. External factors External factors might affect the cost and program of the project. Program of project Overall project program must be realistic and have the commitment of the project team. Construction Methodology Construction methodology must be considered in project design. Accessibility Constructability will be improved if accessibility is considered good in the design stage of project. Specifications Constructability improved when efficiency considered in specification development. Construction innovation Constructability improved when innovation techniques is used Feedback Post construction analysis is undertaken to allow constructability can be enhanced on future projects Table Principles by CIIA (Francis and Sidwell (Eng, 2002)) CONSTRUCTABILITY CONCEPTS BY MALAYSIAN RESEARCHER According to Nawi, Kamar, Lee, Hamid, Abdullah, Haron and Ariff (2009), stated that in Malaysia, the constructability and buildability concepts established by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and other relevant literature by CIRIA, (1983); Tatum, (1987); Adams, (1989); CII, (1993) and etc, there are 23 constructability concepts were formulated and presented by Nima, (2001) which use them to utilize a study in relation to the engineered construction phases. There are 7 concepts for conceptual planning phase, 8 concepts for design and procurement phase and 8 concepts for field operation phases which as follows:- C1-C7 (Project constructability enhancement during conceptual planning phase) Concept C1 the project constructability program should be discussed and documented within the project execution plan, through the participation of all project team members. Concept C2 a project team that includes representatives of the owner, engineer and contractor should be formulated and maintained to take the constructability issue into consideration from the outset of the project and through all of its phases. Concept C3 individuals with current construction knowledge and experience should achieve the early project planning so that interference between design and construction can be avoided. Concept C4 the construction methods should be taken into consideration when choosing the type and the number of contracts required for executing the project. Concept C5 the master project schedule and the construction completion date should be construction-sensitive and should be assigned as early as possible. Concept C6 in order to accomplish the field operations easily and efficiently, major construction methods should be discussed and analyses in-depth as early as possible to direct the design according to these methods. Concept C7 site layout should be studies carefully so that construction, operation and maintenance proceed efficiently and avoid any interference between the operations performed during these phases. C8-C15 (Project constructability enhancement during design and procurement phases) Concept C8 design and procurement schedules should be dictated by construction sequence. Thus, the construction schedule must be discussed and developed prior to the design development and procurement schedule. Concept C9 advanced information technologies are important to any field including field of construction industry. The usage of those technologies could overcome the problem of fragmentation into specialized roles in this field, hence enhancing constructability. Concept C10 designs, with design simplification by designers and design review by qualified construction personnel must be configured to enable efficient construction. Concept C11 project elements should be standardized to an extent that will never affect the project cost negatively. Concept C12 the project technical specifications should be simplified and configured to achieve efficient construction without sacrificing the level or the efficiency of the project performance. Concept C13 the implementation of modularization and preassembly for project elements should be taken into consideration and studied carefully. Modularization and preassembly design should be prepared to facilitate fabrication, transportation and installation. Concept C14 project design should take into consideration the construction personnel, materials and equipment accessibility to the required position on-site. Concept C15 design should facilitate construction during adverse weather conditions. Great emphasis should be made to planning for the construction of the project under suitable weather conditions, but the designer must plan and take into consideration the project elements that could be prefabricated in workshops. C16-C23 (Project constructability enhancement during field operation phases) Concept C16 field task sequencing should be configured in order to minimize damages or rework of some project elements, minimize scaffolding needs, formwork used or congestion of construction personnel, material and equipment. Concept C17 innovation in temporary construction materials/systems, or implementing innovative ways of using available temporary construction materials/systems that have not been defined or limited by the design drawings and technical specifications will contribute positively to the enhancement of constructability. Concept C18 incorporating innovation of new methods in using off-the-shelf hand tools or modification of the available tools or introduction of a new hand tools that may reduce labour intensity, increase mobility, safety or accessibility will enhance constructability at the construction phase. Concept C19 introduction of innovative methods for using the available equipment or modification of the available equipment to increase their productivity will lead to a better constructability. Concept C20 in order to increase the productivity, reduce the need of scaffolding or improve the project constructability under adverse weather conditions, constructors should be encouraged to use any optional preassembly. Concept C21 constructability will be enhanced by encouraging the constructor to carry out innovation of temporary facilities. Concept C22 good contractors, based on quality and time, should be documented, so that contracts for future construction works would not be awarded based on low bits only, but by considering other project attributes. Concept C23 evaluation, documentation and feedback of the issues of the constructability concepts should be maintained throughout the project to be used in later projects as lessons learned. (Source: Nima el al, (Nawi, et.al, 2009)) Although there are many researchers from different countries have identified and presented their own principles and concepts, but the points they covered are almost the same. Through those principles and concepts, it showing the ways to help the construction to reduce its project time, error, cost by having a good buildability on manage overall project. ASSESSMENT OF DESIGNS FOR BUILDABILITY According to CIRC and Chiang et.al, has stated that the construction industries are continues to search out the ways to improve buildability, such as the use of prefabricated, standardized and modular components, as well as the adoption of alternative procurement methods (cited by Wong, Lam, Chan P.C. and Chan H.W., 2006), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore had introduced and published a Code of Practice on Buildabl

Watching A Disappearing Number in Theater Essay -- Simon McBurney

Choose one production that you have seen and which you particularly enjoyed and discuss the aspects which made it so successful. A Disappearing Number I went to see a Disappearing Number, in the Theater. The production was performed by Complicite and was directed by Simon McBurney. I really enjoyed this performance. I thought that the mixture of maths and romance as well as the structure of the performance by incorporating the past and the present together, was extremely successful. The most successful aspect of the performance for me were the scene changes. I found that the rotation of the blackboard, center stage, where the actors were able to stoop beneath it in order to enter and exit the stage, was an effective touch to this non naturalistic performance. When this was first used, at the end of the first scene, when the characters Ruth and Al left the stage, I thought it didn't quite fit as at the beginning the style was leaning towards realism. But as the play progressed and the acting style became more and more non naturalistic, and this rotation of the black board technique was used more frequently it fitted in really well and became really effective. Later on in the performance when Ramanujan and Hardy are introduced, again the scene changes were quick, swift and rapid. Screens were used to conceal the actors as they came on to the stage and then conceal the other actors as they left the stage. The two different scenes which the screens helped to alternate between were Ramanujan, a remarkable mathematician, living in one of the poorest areas of India and the prominent mathematician, G.H Hardy in Cambridge, two people who were in correspondence with each other. Since each of the scenes were short, the use of t... ...was taken away so suddenly. And pain, for moving on. When Al got to the river the projected image of water is repeated. This recurring image from when Ramanujan dies in the past is brought forward into the present storyline making the link between the past and present even stronger. Because this is a repeated image, the water becomes a metaphor for death, the death of Ramanujan and the death of Ruth and her baby. This scene is a peaceful scene even with this metaphor attached. The audience gets to empathise with Al as he lets go of the past and moves on. Imagery is key in this final scene. The sand that each of the characters pour out from various objects, Al pouring from the cremation box and Ramanujan pouring from his tablet, shows the passing of time. A final connection between the two parts to the performance, the past and the present, the key to the whole play.

Strategic Planning in the Airline Industry

Airline Planning Strategic Planning in the Airline Industry a two-day Seminar The Challenge Rapid and intense change in today’s business climate reshapes the fundamental approach to strategic decision-making. New thinking for ways to face the two vital strategy issues – where will the airline be in the future and how to get there – must emerge so that a modern air carrier can leverage its strength and capitalize on opportunities. Creating innovative strategies for the new business paradigm marks a proactive approach to the challenges in the volatile, yet exciting, airline business.Airlines that embrace a dynamic outlook for strategic planning are positioned favorably to prosper financially and operationally in face of uncertainties and complexities in this business. The strategic plan and its components influence every aspect of running a commercial air carrier. As such, it is critical to devise effective strategies and execute them efficiently. Organizational un its depend on clear understanding of the strategic issues so that they can plan accordingly and carry out the responsibilities created by the strategic plan.Strategic planning brings about an opportunity to examine carefully ways that the airline is conducting its business, and finding new methods to do a better job. Designing and delivering the airline’s services in today’s demanding marketplace requires sophisticated coordination between business units of the airline. Strategic planning serves as a mechanism to create a framework for integrating various contributions to deliver the airline’s offerings. Strategy-based planning addresses both the resource allocation and organization structural issues.Developing a business model for the airline based on a strategic analysis of opportunities and requirements form a platform for planning resources going forward. It also responds to: †¢ †¢ †¢ limitations in utilizing resources uncertainties of the fut ure dynamics of the airline business Business Requirements Strategic Management Strategic management is a disciplined yet adaptive endeavor to chart the future of the airline and align the activities of all business units in that direction.This attempt must be flexible, not rigid, so that the roadmap that it creates can be applied in building sensible operating and tactical plans that can incorporate new realities as the future unfolds. The strategy-savvy airlines reap the rewards of performing better while avoiding the detrimental effects of unstructured, undisciplined response to strategic challenges. Over time, only the airlines will survive that can master designing an advanced yet pragmatic strategic planning process.Such a process must encompass all significant considerations for constructing a blueprint of actions and allocating resources for properly executing those actions. CA Advisors 1250 Aviation Avenue Suite 200M San Jose, California 95110 USA Tel: 408-295-7730 Fax: 408 -280-5700 www. ca-advisors. com Gesellschaft fuer Markt und Strategieberatung Sonnenberger Strasse 52 65193 Wiesbaden GERMANY Tel: 0611-37577-39 Fax: 0611-37577-40 www. gms-beratung. com What is the airline trying to achieve? How is the airline going to achieve it? Objectives Strategy Strategic Analyses StructureHow will the airline organize its resources? Business Model Policies What are the operating rules and boundaries? Strategy-based Planning Structured Approach to Strategic Planning Seminar agenda†¦ Day One †¢ Introduction – strategic management perspective – structured approach to strategic planning Day Two †¢ Planning Optimization – allocating resources – developing prioritization †¢ Airline Business – unique features – models and economics †¢ Financial Planning – investment analysis – financing methods †¢ Strategy Development – practical considerations – innovative approaches †¢ Asset Valuation Real Options methodology – managing uncertainties †¢ Strategic Planning Process – components and requirements – execution and evaluation †¢ Integrated Strategic Management – thriving financially – performing operationally Who should attend†¦ This seminar delivers methods and tools for creating innovative strategies and executing strategic plans at both the corporate level and organizational units. Lessons learned can be quickly applied, facilitating the complex process of strategic decision-making. Airline corporate development and strategic planning executives, managers, and analysts directly profit from this seminar.Those responsible for long-range planning of various functional areas, business development, fleet planning, product and service development, corporate finance, treasury and financing, financial and investment analysis, financial planning and budgeting who directly face the challenges in strateg ic planning are the primary audience. Others in scheduling, marketing, and operations, who are impacted by strategic plans, are also encouraged to attend so that they can benefit from understanding the difficult and complex process of developing strategies and implementing strategic decisions that significantly impact the airline.Benefit from experienced leaders†¦ Two experts who combine extensive experience in strategic planning, airline strategies, and market development with knowledge of advanced quantitative planning and management science techniques will present the seminar. Jahan Alamzad Email: jahan. [email  protected] com Jahan Alamzad is president of CA Advisors. He has served as advisor to Applied Decision Analysis (ADA), a unit of Standard & Poor’s Corporate Value Consulting, where he was previously the director of airline practice. (ADA was a wholly owned subsidiary of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC between 1998 and 2001. ) Mr.Alamzad has been a management cons ultant in the airline and aerospace industries for the past seventeen years. Before his consulting career, he worked at American Airlines and United Airlines. Mr. Alamzad holds a masters in operations research from Stanford University, as well as a masters in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California, and bachelors degrees in civil engineering and electrical engineering from the University of Illinois. He has served on the faculty of the Department of Aviation at San Jose State University, and has collaborated in publishing a textbook entitled Airline Management.Maciej Mazurowicz Email: maciej. [email  protected] de Maciej Mazurowicz is managing partner of Gesellschaft fuer Markt- und Strategieberatung (GMS). Prior to GMS, Mr. Mazurowicz worked at Lufthansa German Airlines in different strategic management positions. At Lufthansa Consulting, he managed a variety of business development projects for airlines worldwide. Mr. Mazurowicz holds a Mast er of Business Administration and bachelors in business from the University of Kiel. His publications include articles on behalf of the German Ministry of Economics concerning product development and management of innovations.About CA Advisors†¦ www. ca-advisors. com CA Advisors is a management consulting firm dedicated to providing state-of-the-art analytical services. By applying powerful and practical tools, the firm helps its client understand their business positions and improve their strategic and operational decisions. To ensure the success of its work, the firm is committed to collaborating closely with its clients, communicating clearly about its approach, and delivering valuable results that are logically sound. For many years, the work of CA Advisors rofessionals has spanned a wide range of projects. The firm has a focused and dedicated practice in the airline industry, with a breath of expertise in aerospace and aviation. The experience of the firm’s professi onals extends from traditional applications in logistics and resource allocation to more innovative applications in strategic planning. GMS is a management consulting company supporting clients in strategic planning and business development. GMS focuses in planning, marketing and sales, and assists clients in developing and implementing business strategies.GMS experts facilitate the evaluation of the business environment, forecast and analysis of market scenarios, and development of organizational structures by applying a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical tools and business methods, resulting in optimized financial and operational performance of clients. GMS ensures efficient project realization through a network of cooperation partners – from complete IT solutions up to personnel training. About GMS†¦ www. gms-beratung. de

Communication Differences In The Cultures of The Middle East essays

Communication Differences In The Cultures of The Middle East essays Throughout the world, many different cultures exist in many different countries. It is important to be aware of the many diverse cultures and customs of these countries when visiting them, or conducting business with people within them. Because of these vast cultural differences, especially involving communication, it is very easy to offend someone without even knowing it. In regards to communication, it is important to be aware of the customs of the country or countries you are interacting with. More specifically, Middle Eastern customs are especially different from ours in the United States. If someone were to visit Atlanta from the Middle East, it would be important to be familiar with the way they communicate, as to not end up in uncomfortable situations for you and your guest. When exploring these differences, it is necessary to first get an idea of how Americans are generally perceived by the foreign world. To many around the world, Americans are friendly, outgoing, and less reserved. We are also perceived to be obnoxious, self centered, loud, and arrogant. Many countries around the world are also much more formal in the way they carry themselves in every-day situations. We are considered to be the exact opposite. Being very informal seems to be a quality that many foreigners seem to think Americans possess. Whether or not these qualities about Americans are true is really not the point. This is a general perception acquired by many around the world, for better or for worse. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding of other cultures, it is necessary to keep in mind the qualities that are believed to be portrayed by ourselves. Once it is understood how we are perceived, you need to look at the customs of the person who is visiting. Specifically speaking, if someone from Saudi Arabia were to visit Atlanta, you would need to explore their culture. ...

Free Essays on Countdown

COUNTDOWN by, Ben Mikaelsen Setting: Æ’Ã ¦ Crazy Peak, MT Æ’Ã ¦ Dakar, Senegal, Æ’Ã ¦ Endeavor (space shuttle). Main Characters: Æ’Ã ¦ Elliot Schroeder, a 14-year-old boy who goes to space. Æ’Ã ¦ Vincent Ole Tome, a boy about the same age as Elliot who is from Kenya. Æ’Ã ¦ Vincent ¡Ã‚ ¦s father, a Maasai warrior. Æ’Ã ¦ Elliot ¡Ã‚ ¦s father, a rancher. Point of View: Æ’Ã ¦ Narrator Theme: Æ’Ã ¦ I think that there are a few points to this story. One, is that friendship can help you get through a lot of different types of hardships. The second, I think that the author is trying to tell you that you never know when you wake up in the morning, if your going to make a friend for life. Plot: Æ’Ã ¦ Fourteen-year-old Elliot Schroeder has always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but his father expects him to stay on the family's ranch in Montana, when he grows up. Across the world in Kenya, fourteen-year-old Vincent Ole Tome dreams of going to the white man's "wood school," but his dad wants him to be a Maasai warrior. When Elliot wins the nationwide lottery to be NASA's first Junior Astronaut on board the space shuttle, Endeavor. Then he meets another boy, Vincent, from Kenya, a place in West Africa. The boys don ¡Ã‚ ¦t exactly hit it off at first. Then when the shuttle has to make an emergency landing in Dakar, a place on the West Coast of Africa. Then the fly Vincent over to where Elliot has landed and they put their differences aside and become friends. Connection to Coarse Content: Æ’Ã ¦ I think that this, in a way, relates to Patrick Henry ¡Ã‚ ¦s speech, because it has to do with not getting along with people simply because of their cultural differences.... Free Essays on Countdown Free Essays on Countdown COUNTDOWN by, Ben Mikaelsen Setting: Æ’Ã ¦ Crazy Peak, MT Æ’Ã ¦ Dakar, Senegal, Æ’Ã ¦ Endeavor (space shuttle). Main Characters: Æ’Ã ¦ Elliot Schroeder, a 14-year-old boy who goes to space. Æ’Ã ¦ Vincent Ole Tome, a boy about the same age as Elliot who is from Kenya. Æ’Ã ¦ Vincent ¡Ã‚ ¦s father, a Maasai warrior. Æ’Ã ¦ Elliot ¡Ã‚ ¦s father, a rancher. Point of View: Æ’Ã ¦ Narrator Theme: Æ’Ã ¦ I think that there are a few points to this story. One, is that friendship can help you get through a lot of different types of hardships. The second, I think that the author is trying to tell you that you never know when you wake up in the morning, if your going to make a friend for life. Plot: Æ’Ã ¦ Fourteen-year-old Elliot Schroeder has always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but his father expects him to stay on the family's ranch in Montana, when he grows up. Across the world in Kenya, fourteen-year-old Vincent Ole Tome dreams of going to the white man's "wood school," but his dad wants him to be a Maasai warrior. When Elliot wins the nationwide lottery to be NASA's first Junior Astronaut on board the space shuttle, Endeavor. Then he meets another boy, Vincent, from Kenya, a place in West Africa. The boys don ¡Ã‚ ¦t exactly hit it off at first. Then when the shuttle has to make an emergency landing in Dakar, a place on the West Coast of Africa. Then the fly Vincent over to where Elliot has landed and they put their differences aside and become friends. Connection to Coarse Content: Æ’Ã ¦ I think that this, in a way, relates to Patrick Henry ¡Ã‚ ¦s speech, because it has to do with not getting along with people simply because of their cultural differences....